Aruba is home to a vibrant community of artists whose stories and creativity reflect not just their culture, but also their courage. This Pride Edition of our Local Artist Spotlight celebrates two inspiring Aruban women—Lislaine Bermudez and Rebecca Roos—whose work continues to elevate art and inclusion on the One Happy Island.
🌈 A History of Love & Identity
Long before colonialism and Christianity influenced societal norms, many cultures—including the Greeks and Indigenous tribes—recognized diverse expressions of love. From the Greek myth of the androgynous human to the Indigenous concept of Two Spirit identities, same-sex love and non-binary gender roles were seen as natural.
It wasn’t until colonial times that heteronormativity became dominant. Even today, coming out can be daunting—but artists like Lislaine and Rebecca are helping shift perceptions through creativity and authenticity.
🎨 Lislaine Bermudez – Art from the Heart
A proud Aruban, Lislaine Bermudez grew up in a large, religious family. Early signs of her sexual identity and her love for art emerged during childhood, though she struggled with societal expectations.
Lislaine’s turning point came when her cousin in Holland married another woman. Inspired but scared, she wrestled with her identity throughout adolescence, especially after losing her brother. Art became her sanctuary. From poetry to painting, Lislaine developed her craft and eventually embraced her truth—with mixed reactions from friends and family.
Today, she runs Art from the Heart, offering inclusive art classes for children, including kids with special needs. Her dream is to be the kind of mentor she needed growing up: compassionate, creative, and non-judgmental.
💬 “The world needs people to love each other.” – Lislaine
📌 Follow her on Facebook: Art from the Heart – Aruba
🎬 Rebecca Roos – Telling Stories Through Film
Rebecca Roos was born in Holland and raised in Aruba. Unlike many, she never had a “coming out” story. Thanks to her progressive upbringing, being gay was simply part of her identity—not something that required explanation.
From an early age, Rebecca gravitated toward visual storytelling. She dreamed of becoming a filmmaker and, despite setbacks like film school rejection, pursued her education in art history and media studies. After working in the Dutch film industry, Rebecca returned to Aruba in 1996.
She helped launch Aruba’s first independent TV network and later founded Rebecca Roos Productions in 1998. Her films explore local culture, history, and social issues—crafted with stunning visuals and heart. For Rebecca, being gay is just one aspect of her life. Her legacy is her storytelling.
📌 Follow her work: Rebecca Roos Productions N.V.
🏳️🌈 Pride in Aruba, Art from the Soul
These two incredible women prove that visibility matters. Through brushstrokes and camera lenses, Lislaine and Rebecca are helping pave the way for greater understanding, acceptance, and inclusion on the island and beyond.
Photo credits : https://www.visitaruba.com/blog/about-aruba/local-spotlight-aruban-artists-pride-edition/
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