Aruderio Carrillo

Aruderio Carrillo, Artist

“ I am so proud. I always wanted to paint a Sarteneja sign until that project came out and I was so happy to do it.”

Aruderio Carrillo didn’t just grow up in Sarteneja Village, he carries the community in his heart. So, when someone asked if he’d take on the job of painting the village’s welcome sign, he didn’t hesitate. He jumped in with both feet. Carrillo refused to take a single dollar for his time or talent. The only money he accepted from the local youth group was for paint and supplies. Everything else, the design and the hours, he gave freely. It was his way of giving back to the place that shaped him.

Aruderio Carrillo

“I was approached by the Sarteneja Youth Group with Ms. Mora for the first time she approached me to paint the sign. Miss Stephanie came with idea of the sunset, and I think, which is a good idea, sunset because here in Sarteneja the sunsets are so, so beautiful.”

Carrillo says the concept quickly took shape, inspired by one of the village’s most breathtaking features. But the mural goes far beyond a sunset. Every brushstroke reflects daily life in this coastal community.

Aruderio Carrillo

“ For example the palm tree, I decide to palm trees so that represent the beaches of Sarteneja. The fishermen, the guy with the canoe, the local fishermen. And of course the regatta, those boats that represent the regatta and those are wooden boats. And I think here in Sarteneja is the only place that they still would build wooden boats.”

The project meant something deeper to Carrillo. The phrase on the sign “Where the Sun Meets the Water” captures a view locals know well.

Aruderio Carrillo

“I know it doesn’t sound right because some say it where the suns meet the water, but we just say where the sun on the water, because on the summer, the sun more like on the water than inland.”

Beyond art, there’s the heart of the village itself.

Aruderio Carrillo

“It’s a small village, peaceful, lovely as you could see. We have different places to visit here, you know. Also the sea, which is good. And the people are so friendly here.”

Darnel Cruz, the Village Council Secretary, says the sign truly reflects Sarteneja’s long-standing pride as a fishing community with deep cultural traditions.

Darnel Cruz

Darnel Cruz, Village Council Secretary, Sarteneja

“ The drawings, if you might have seen it, is depicting what, what CJA is about. It has been painted over, but the idea is there cja, a fishing community. Eh, people, how friendly, how lovely the people are. Our culture, we share, eh, well, we mostly, we are mesti here in Sarnia, no, but almost more than ninety percent of the men are, are fishermen. So the idea will be there. And this idea, well, what I know, eh, came about, well, as I mentioned this initial youth group was, were the ones that worked towards this. And they wanted, well, almost in many places within Belize, they were. Starting to erect these types of signs. No. And they wanted certain, they had to be part of that also, that initiative. So they, they had a and we couldn’t say no to that. We, we had to go with, with development. No. So we, we are pro-development and it looks beautiful and it’s attractive. We have many visitors coming to the village and that’s one of their stuff. In front of the sign, snap some pictures and, you know, have, have fun in the village.”

The sign has quickly become a favorite photo stop for visitors and a symbol of local pride. And if you’re thinking of making the trip north, Cruz says there’s no better time than the upcoming Easter season.

Darnel Cruz

“We want to invite people to come out, visit our village see what we have to offer. One of the best times to visit during these is Easter season. We have the seafood fest that we had in the month of October. Now we’re having Easter. It’ll be a whole weekend of events that we will have. We will have a, a marathon, the regatta regatta that we have. And I invite everybody to come out. Come out and enjoy. At least for that weekend. Know more about Sarteneja.”

From its golden sunsets to its wooden boats and welcoming people, Sarteneja’s new sign stands as a colorful symbol for a village proud of its history and culture. Shane Williams for News Five.

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Colorful Village Sign Becomes Symbol of Sarteneja Pride first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

If you’ve travelled across Belize, you’ve probably seen those bright letter signs that mark each community. In Caye Caulker, two of them stand out: the Caye Caulker sign and the iconic Split sign. The village commissioned the Caye Caulker sign in 2018 for Lobster Fest, and the artist behind that vivid underwater design is Armando “Rootsman” Rivero. His colorful work brings the reef to life and captures the spirit of the island in a single snapshot.

Armando “Rootsman” Rivero

Armando “Rootsman” Rivero, Artist

“They just gave me an idea and I take it from there. So they wanted the underwater team. So that was my first initial inspiration. But then I figured I could combine the whole thing with animals and the lizard for instance, and the then you go to the underwater with the fish and the sharks, that kind of stuff.”

Rivero moved to Caye Caulker at fifteen, and within a year he was already oil painting, driven by the beauty he saw around him. The original sign on the island was painted by another well‑known local artist, but when it started to fade, Rivero stepped in to give it new life. And for Caye Caulker Chair, Seleny Villanueva-Pott, that kind of creativity is exactly what makes the island’s art scene so vibrant, and something she’s proud to show off.

Seleny Villanueva-Pott

Seleny Villanueva-Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker

“The Caye Caulker sign  was done initially by Mr. Meegan. So he was the one who designed it, painted it first then it needed repainting, and then Rootsman, I believe came about and painted it. The one in the split is done by Ms. Lilly. And we want to say that these are both islanders. So we have very talented artists on the island.”

Not long after the Caye Caulker sign went up, another eye‑catching landmark appeared just down the way. This time, it was The Split sign, now the star of countless vacation photos. The artist behind that vibrant piece is Lilly Alamina, owner of Sea Dih Soul art studio. Her work has quickly become a must‑see spot for both tourists and locals soaking in the island vibes.

Lilly Alamina

Lilly Alamina, Artist

“ I got the opportunity to paint that through Neidy Rodriguez. She’s the owner of the split bar and grill. Since we’re good friends, she pulled me aside and she’s I have a project for you if you’re up to it, if you think you can do it. And that was a, that was the biggest one I’ve done thus far. So I was like, I think I can do this. And the split is our premiere spot for socialization, hanging out, drinking, swimming, and you can see the sunrise and the sunset both from the split every day. So I said, we’re gonna pull all the reds, the oranges, the yellows from that sunset you get to see on most days and we’re gonna put that on the sign.”

Alamina draws her inspiration from her community. Lilly Alamina has spent her entire life in Caye Caulker, and the island still fuels her creativity every day. Inspiration comes from simple places, her mother’s garden, the view from her front porch, the colors and rhythm of village life. And for her, being recognized as one of the island’s standout artists isn’t just a title, it’s an honor she carries proudly.

Lilly Alamina

“What I like is that if anything, we always have each other’s backs. If someone’s looking for someone to do this particular job in this particular way, and we know, oh, this person does that better, this one does that better, we’re giving contact information. We’re putting each other on different jobs. We’re like, we’re we motivate each other and keep each other in the loop.”

Alamina says she spent about four days completing the sign after working with the owners of The Split to lock in the design. Rivero, meanwhile, explains that his process was simple, just him and his materials.

Armando “Rootsman” Rivero

“I don’t do no sketching. For me, sketching is occupying more time. So I just go straight to the brush.”

Today, those painted signs stand as a real source of pride for the people of Caye Caulker. They don’t just show off the island’s natural beauty, they spotlight the homegrown talent that brings its story to life. And the signs are only the beginning. Across the island, you’ll find murals and artwork these creators have added over the years, with even more on the way. Rivero hopes young artists keep pushing themselves, and he shares one piece of advice for anyone dreaming of leaving their mark on the world.

Armando “Rootsman” Rivero

“The first thing is to look within. And stay. Stay. How would you say stay on it. Because you always gonna have this support now. It’s you can’t make that stop your inspiration. You have to use it towards your benefit.”

So, the next time you’re in Caye Caulker, take a moment to slow down and really look at these signs. Every detail reflects the community’s personality, its pride, and the artists who poured their creativity into making them uniquely Belizean. Britney Gordon for News Five.

The post The Art and Artists Bringing Caye Caulker’s Identity to Life first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                   Paul Lopez Reporting

Paul Lopez, Reporting

“The Belize Signs is a landmark in the Old Capital. Residents and tourists alike are drawn to its’ vibrant colors and personality. And today, we get to explore what makes the Belize sign what it is.”

Photos taken at this sign have quite literally gone around the world. For cruise visitors stepping onto the mainland through the Fort George Tourism Zone, it’s often their very first stop, and their first snapshot, capturing a moment that says, “I’ve arrived in Belize.”

                    U.S. Tourist #1

U.S. Tourist #1

“It is beautiful, colorful and authentic. I love it.”

                   U.S. Tourist #2

U.S. Tourist #2

“I think it is colorful and it has all the different parts of Belize on it. It has underwater and the lighthouse and the flowers. It is very pretty.”

                         U.S. Tourist #3

U.S. Tourist #3

“It is similar to what we have seen in other tourist destinations. It is beautiful.

The idea for the Belize Sign was first imagined by attorney Steve Perrera. The project was brought to life through the support of businessman Haisam Diab, who sponsored the construction and installation and dedicated the monument in loving memory of his mother, Lena Quinto. The sign was officially unveiled in April of 2016. Then, five years later in 2021, it received a fresh artistic makeover, an eye‑catching redesign by visual artist Chelsea Johnston, carried out in collaboration with the Belize City Council.

                  Chelsea Johnston

Chelsea Johnston, Visual Artist

“I did the design and they said that whatever design it is we probably would like it. So, this was the original design. They liked it and I started painting. However, they wanted it so fast that I could not do something as detailed as I wanted it to be and we had a lot of rain in that time. It was also during that COVID transition into normal life. So, the norm was not the norm then. So we tried to get things done as quickly as we could and we had the Belize sign revamped.”

Despite the hurdles and uncertainty that came with that moment five years ago, Johnston pushed through and completed the painting. And once the final brush was laid down, the response was immediate, the phone started ringing. Municipal leaders from across the country wanted something similar for their communities. Johnston turned down every request.

Chelsea Johnston

“I had companies and different places asked me to do it in different districts and I turned them down and asked if they can find a local artist within the village or district to get it done, just so that every artist gets a little piece of the pudding you know.”

For Johnston, the Belize Sign is more than a paid project, it’s a public declaration of love for country and community. And Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner agrees, calling the sign not just a landmark, but a reflection of the rich diversity that defines Belize.

                   Bernard Wagner

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City

“That enhancement came on the heels of the COVID pandemic. In 2021 we wanted to refresh because we came out of the COVID and we wanted this refreshing attitude and so we unveiled the painting. So, we unveil the repainting. Mr. Perrera was very instrumental also, along with the artist, Chelsea Johnston and she brought a whole new look, really capturing some of the characteristics of the country of Belize, not only Belize City, the country on a whole and that is why we feel so good about those projects.”

The sign has weathered multiple natural disasters in its decade of existence, securing its place as a landmark for years to come. And Johnston isn’t done yet. She’s hoping to elevate the sign once more, this time alongside other artists, with Mayor Wagner signaling his support.

Chelsea Johnston

“We could have something really detailed. Like, I would want somebody the eat a nice juicy mango, a nice cold Belkin, something very detailed that captures Belizeans and what the tourists would like also. So, hopefully this year we could get it done. I would like to get it done. I have had requests to get it revamped. People pass by and see the paint is now peeling off and I would love to get it done.”

Bernard Wagner

“We are all about working along with our artist and they have all this vision and they are driven by what they paint and what they see we might not see. The artists always see something different. So, it is always good to sit with them.”

A decade after its installation, the Belize Sign continues to stand strong as a beloved landmark, reflecting the resilience and diversity of the Belizean people. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

The post Bold, Colorful, Belizean: The Story Behind an Iconic Sign first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                       Yaoling Lee

Yaoling Lee, Artist

“This is an exhibition of more than I think fifty f watercolor that include if I divide them. One third is the urban sketches which is right here. You can see a many feature in my book, beautiful Publicity. And to make this exhibition more interesting, I have a selection of, figure studies on the right hand side. And then I also have a selection of flowers, and those are all painting from life. If I talk about flowers, those are the flower from my backyard, or I purchase from outside pod and I paint in my backyard. And if it’s a figure study my sitter, she sit in my studio, then I do the study. And those are urban sketches right behind me. Those are the one I drive around Belize City and I sketch them. So in the book who is the best person to write my experience? Me, but I have to tell you, I’m not a writer. I write awful, but I think I can write my experience. I can tell a story. What happened when I was doing paintings. I’m the main person, write for this book, beautiful publicity, but then I recruit twenty-two Belizean writers. They are great, gorgeous, talented, Belizean writers.”

The post Yaoling Unveils Exhibit for Second Edition of Beautiful Belize City first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Pelayo, a leading figure in Belize’s jazz scene, describes the event as “more than just a concert. It’s a cultural experience.” He explained, “This is a piece of the U.S. coming to Belize, but also Belizeans being able to show our own excellence, our own talent on stage.”

Devlin, an accomplished saxophonist, says the performance will feature a mix of original music and jazz standards. “You’re gonna hear a lot of different styles of jazz music, improvised music, and even some video game-inspired tunes,” he said.

For bassist Ian Ashby, the event is about connection through music. “Music is a universal language that brings people together. I can’t wait to experience that with the people of Belize,” he shared.

The show promises to be a vibrant mix of local and international talent, highlighting Belize’s growing jazz scene. Tickets are $50 for general admission, $75 for reserved seating and $150 for box seats. Tickets are available at The Bliss, Puma Freetown, Sea Wise Music Store, and Shalom at Downtown Plaza.

The post Jazz Takes Center Stage at The Bliss This Friday first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Twenty-two indigenous women in southern Belize are taking their craft to the next level. Thanks to a partnership between Belize and Taiwan, Phase Two of a special training program has wrapped up, giving these artisans the tools to sharpen their traditional skills, boost their business know-how, and create products that are bigger, better, and ready for new markets.

                        Gustavo Requena

Gustavo Requena, Director, Indigenous People Affairs

“It means that this program is rooted on a strong foundation where there is family support. It means that our graduates, their families, the Toledo District, Belize, and the world, are benefitting from this investment that you are making, Ambassador, and we thank you.”

The project wrapped up on Monday with a certification ceremony and the launch of a vibrant exhibition showcasing the incredible stories, skills, and creations of the women who took part. The exhibition is open to everyone, including schools and visitors, until October thirtieth.

                Cirilia Chee

Cirilia Chee, Participant

“The training provided much-needed support as we empower ourselves to embrace our skills more, learn from each other, work with each other as only together we can move forward.”

Twenty-two artisans from communities like Mabil Ha, San Pedro Columbia, San Felipe, and Punta Gorda Town in the Toledo District got the support they need to turn their skills into real opportunities.

                       Marcelia Assi

Marcelia Assi, President, Home of Indigenous Arts Belize

“Over the past [few] months, from June twentieth, we started on a journey to advance the skills and knowledge of these women. They are already utilizing the traditional skills to create products to improve their livelihoods. The learning, the sharing of experiences and being supported by experts in fashion design and handicraft industry was remarkable. Not only did the women appreciate working with each other to plan, to design, and even experimented, but they were able to create, innovate and represented their cultural heritage in their products.”

This event marked a major milestone in empowering women to achieve financial independence.

                      Osmond Martinez

Dr. Osmond Martinez, Minister of State, Economic Transformation

“I was impressed with Mrs. Assi’s presentation because it spoke about innovation and, indeed, we have to be innovators in the twenty-first century. We have to be able to compete globally. We have to be able to market our product well. But more importantly, you must be able to understand the basic principles of accounting. What we are seeing today is not only a social program, but we are seeing a social program that is productive, that will be able to assist and help the beneficiaries of this project, those who have been able to upskill and reskill their human capital and to increase their human capital in a way that they would not have had that opportunity if it would not have been through the support of our friends from Taiwan.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends its appreciation to the government and people of Taiwan for their unwavering support and partnership in helping empower women and promote independence.

                   Lily Li-Wen Hsu

Lily Li-Wen Hsu, Taiwanese Ambassador

“I know this is the second time that the Taiwan/Belize Women’s Empowerment Project teams up with the Home of Indigenous Arts in Belize. What makes this program so special is that by supporting skilled indigenous Maya women artisans handicraft productions, we are not just supporting these women, we are also preserving the Mayan cultural heritage. So I am very glad to see that, based on the foundation of our first collaboration in March 2023, this training program has further advanced the participating women artisans craftsmanship, built their entrepreneurial capacity and helped them promote their finest products to rich, marketable standards.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

The post Indigenous Women in Toledo Take Arts and Craft to the Next Level first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Zenida Lanza, Reporting

Plastic is everywhere in our environment, and today at the University of Belize, Mexican artist Rodrigo Murillo challenged students and guests to confront that reality. In his lecture, “The Civilization of Excess, or the Excess of Civilization,” Murillo explored the impact of plastic waste and how it can be reimagined through art. The event marked the start of a three-day program promoting environmental awareness, with participants from UB environmental science students, and ITVET representatives.

                       Rodrigo Murillo

Rodrigo Murillo, Visual Artist

“How can we change our perspectives in our minds to change a little bit this disposable culture we have, thinking that we can use things for one second and then forget about them, and then never think about them again. But I think that has to change, and that’s why I’m here today speaking through my art and through the greater spirit through myself and through my love of nature.”

In an era where sustainability is more urgent than ever, Murillo is transforming how we view material waste. He explains that art is about making a connection with something we love, in his case, nature, and combining it with what we often choose to ignore.

Rodrigo Murillo

“I think modern day human has become too much comfortable, too much commodified, like we use products all the time and we have to step outside that and become a little wilder in the sense of being in touch again with nature and species and protect the living universe because it’s dying because of all our consumption.”

He also shared his experience of being a first-time lecturer in Belize, noting the country’s unique mix of cultures and the vibrant energy he felt among the students.

                         Black Jaguar

Rodrigo Murillo

“I feel very excited because I can feel an energy which is very mixed between races and I love that because it’s like the separation. What separates us is not something about our outside faces or colors. It’s much more about the way we think and the way we approach each other as humans. I would like to thank everyone, God, my mom, my family, everyone that is present today who is open to receive this message, to enjoy art, and also to have fun.”

The school expresses that there is much to learn from Mr. Murillo, as he takes something that we describe as trash and makes it functional and lucrative. On the third day, they will unveil the completed “Black Jaguar” sculptor, which will remain as a permanent installation on UB’s Belmopan campus. Reporting for News Five, I’m Zenida Lanza.

The post UB Launches Three Day Bio Art Program with Mexican Artist Rodrigo Murillo first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                 Kim Vasquez

Kim Vasquez, Director, Institute of Creative Arts

“Yes, we are here at the Museum of Belizean Art at the House of Culture, Th e Belize City House of Culture, where the Institute of Creative Arts and the Museum of Belize are partnered with Ecumenical High School from Stan Creek to bring to the public a new exhibit, this exhibit is the work of third form students from Ecumenical, this was a Belizean studies project that they did and in speaking with the principal, principal Lawrence, and one of the history teachers there, Miss Christy, they told us that this project had been something that the students had put a lot of reflection into and they were really proud of the outcome of it and so once we heard about it and we saw it we said that this would just fit perfectly with everything that we do for emancipation day and so we are very pleased to unveil the exhibit tomorrow after the official ceremony for emancipation day  here at the house of culture everyone will be invited to come and view the exhibit.”

The exhibition opens this Friday and will remain on display through the end of August. So, if you’re in the city, it’s definitely worth a visit.

The post Student Art Honors Emancipation Through Powerful Exhibit first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The countdown is on, just five months to go until Isabella Zabaneh, Miss Universe Belize 2025, steps onto the global stage to represent the Jewel. She’s got the poise, the presence, and the personality, but there’s one piece of the puzzle still in progress: her national costume. Earlier this week, the Miss Universe Belize Committee revealed the top three finalists in the costume design competition. Belize’s majestic toucan is this year’s theme. But instead of applause, the designs have set off a heated online debate. Belizeans, especially local artists, are questioning whether these intricate creations were made by human hands or generated by artificial intelligence. Among the critics is Alex Sanker, a well-known artist who’s supported the pageant in the past with hand-painted pieces.

                   Alex Sanker

Alex Sanker, Visual Artist

“For me it’s obvious because, I’ve been doing this for a long time, but I’m pretty sure like I mentioned, I did a post this morning and I said, AI should not be presented in something like this. First of all, you have artists that could design these, we’d be doing for decades. Generally, I think I have a saying to doing this because I took a burden on myself to paint the last seven Miss Universes, which we saw something traditional. But when I saw the images, yes, it’s pretty. But there’s nothing there. It’s like a kid, ten years old. I have the knowledge of AI could create something like that.”

The selected designs have all incorporated the national bird; nonetheless, social media users were quick to point out the similarities in style and color scheme. Curious to see what AI could do; we decided to test it ourselves. We entered our own prompt into ChatGPT, and the results were strikingly similar to the designs online. To get a better sense of how these costumes came to life, we reached out to Monilee Aspinall, one of the designers. She teamed up with visual artist Nissa Sanchez to co-design their submission, and shared insight into their creative process, raising even more questions about where human creativity ends and machine-generated art begins.

                Monilee Aspinall

Monilee Aspinall, Costume Designer

“My first thought   was, I don’t want to do regular toucan, where there’s like that beacon that hit that gives like children’s costume. We’re so tired of seeing that. So I wanted something where you would be able to incorporate the tuan within the body. My next thing was I didn’t want to do like over the shoulder or something that’s also done so regularly. So I wanted it where. Bella is so tall and slim, I wanted to be able to use that to our advantage. So using her arms to create the bee and her body to simulate the body.”

Other artists like Maureen Navarrette and Khashief King brought bold, creative flair to the competition, one with a toucan in flight, the other blending flowers and the national flag. But critics aren’t impressed with the finalists. They’ve pointed out mismatched colors, awkward feather details, and even the wrong species of toucan, fueling suspicions that AI, not artists, may be behind the designs.

Alex Sanker

“I went on the web on Miss Universe, and I saw they’re getting the most votes, but then I don’t want to hear, oh they could adjust it. No, that was something I was selected to be the top three. And it’s not even our toucan, it’s not our national bird. It’s a toucan. Yes. It’s a keel-billed. That’s not what it is. And that’s the one that’s getting the most vote because. Again, people do think without considering the value of what they’re presenting to the world.”

The popularity of these pieces highlights the subjectivity of art. Whether the sketch is created by a human or not, some people will still gravitate towards the designs overall aesthetic. But there is more to a costume design than just its looks.  An artist must consider the practicality of the costume and how it can be executed off the page.

Monilee Aspinall

“I know  we love a like huge costume, and I love the idea of that as well. And I think that sometimes. That large costume, we don’t want it to overpower the toucan, that’s the theme that they’re going for. So we had to think about small things like if we use the arms for beak that means that certain parts of the body will have to be softer or easily moved. So we thought about like gymnastic costumes where there’s that beading and bedazzlement in certain areas, but then there’s still that, flesh tone fabric under the arms that allows them to move, but gives them that continuity or down the arms, down the legs.”

Artist Alex Sanker is speaking out against what he sees as a troubling trend, AI-generated art taking the spotlight from real, human creativity. He hopes that by continuing his work and advocacy, young artists will not become demotivated to pursue their passions in art.

Alex Sanker

“ I have a lot of parents, this is the new thing now where parents will bring their kids that an artist and they just blown by your work. And I tell them one thing, them and their parents, don’t do this for the money, don’t do it for the fame. Do it because you love it. If you do it because you love it, everything gonna fall into place. Listen, we have top of the line, international type level of talent here.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

The post AI or Art? Costume Controversy Clouds Miss Universe Belize first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

On the Phone: Destinee Arnold, Director, Miss Universe Belize

“Artificial intelligence is a tool that multiple people from multiple industries can utilize for whatever purpose they deem fit. In this case, there were some designers or creatives that utilize this tool to bring their vision to life. We did not anticipate an uproar from the public in response to someone utilizing that tool. Nor were we looking out to distinguish drawn designs versus artificial intelligence. We do recognize that we are in a modern age of technology. There are different ways in which you can present whatever your vision is, and we appreciate people being resourceful and we also appreciate those who take their pen to paper and draw out the designs. The focus is making sure that we include the public in national costume design because this is a costume that represents our culture, and we want to make sure that we are maintaining the focus on that goal. We don’t want to feed into any type of negativity. We want to continue to celebrate the fact that Bella is making waves right now in the pageant industry. She’s receiving a lot of positive international attention and we want to make sure that we maintain that celebration. And just recognizing that I. We can’t run away from artificial intelligence. We can’t run away from the evolution of technology. We can embrace it and just make sure that we are properly utilizing tools that are now at our disposal.”

Arnold also assures that the team will work with a Belizean designer to ensure that the costume is accurate to Belizean culture and can be worn comfortably on stage.

The post Miss Universe Committee Responds to AI Art Concerns first appeared on Greater Belize Media.