A cultural renaissance on MoBay’s Hip Strip
S Hotel unveils art walk honouring Jamaican icons
Published:Wednesday | June 4, 2025 | 12:06 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Reggae legends, dancehall icons, and folkloric rhythms now live boldly on the walls of the Montego Bay Hip Strip as a wave of murals ushers in a new era of cultural pride and creative identity.
On Monday, the S Hotel Montego Bay officially unveiled its newest cultural investment, an outdoor Art Walk featuring murals of Jamaica’s most celebrated music icons, including Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, the Jolly Boys, Toots and the Maytals, Cynthia Schloss, Lady Saw, Buju Banton, Cocoa Tea, and Vybz Kartel.
The vibrant murals, located along Jimmy Cliff Boulevard at St. James Place in front of the S Hotel, are the centrepiece of a larger vision to revitalise Montego Bay’s most iconic street into a living canvas, a space where artistry and Jamaican identity converge.
It is a transformative leap towards turning the city into a destination where culture is not only experienced, but also seen and celebrated in public spaces, inspiring a hopeful vision for the future of Montego Bay.
This cultural undertaking is the brainchild of S Hotel CEO Christopher Issa, who recalled how the work of Kingston Creative inspired him.
“We reached out to Andrea Dempster of Kingston Creative to ask if something similar could be done here in Montego Bay,” he explained. “Our first mural was painted by a tourist who was on his honeymoon and wanted to give something back to the island. That small act sparked a vision.”
Since that modest beginning, the project has expanded with the support of artists such as Damian Elliot and Anthony Smith, whose artwork now anchors a key section of the strip.
Smith’s mural, a powerful ode to transformation and femininity, was born out of a conversation with Issa. “We discussed change, womanhood, elevation,” Smith said. “I used the metaphor of a butterfly, moving from a caterpillar to flight, to capture the power of evolution. Painting here and seeing people respond, even slipping me tips in appreciation, it’s been unforgettable.”
Smith was the one who painted the iconic Jimmy Cliff mural, and the woman with butterflies on her hair.
Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Dwight Crawford, praised the effort, calling the unveiling “historic.” “You are making the Hip Strip more ‘hip,’” he said. “What you’re doing here is the beginning of something great. The Municipal Corporation is proud of this. As a citizen of Montego Bay, I pass here and feel proud.”
Opposition Spokesperson on Tourism, Senator Janice Allen, echoed similar sentiments. “Chris Issa has adopted Montego Bay and raised the bar. This is the standard others should follow,” she said. “This isn’t just for tourists; it’s for Jamaicans to see, enjoy, and embrace. Our culture is what sells Jamaica, and we must showcase it at every opportunity.”
The unveiling was not only a nod to Jamaican musical excellence but also a poignant reminder of the role the arts can play in redefining a city. With photo opportunities, public engagement, and ongoing support for creative expression, the Art Walk aims to become a must-visit attraction for locals and visitors alike.
As Issa noted, “We’re just getting started.” With each mural, the Hip Strip inches closer to becoming the cultural corridor that Montego Bay deserves: one brushstroke, one legend, one bold vision at a time.