Representing the Bahamas Student Association at the event were, from left, Ezzard Rolle, webmaster; Claudette Alexander, advisor; Sasha Nelson, secretary; author and photographer Nikita Shiel-Rolle; John Alao, public relations officer; and Phil Tai, treasurer.

Students from the Bahamian Students Association joined more than 150 people at a book signing and art show at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science on November 11. The event, co-hosted by the Rosenstiel School, Bahamas Marine EcoCentre, and The Nature Conservancy, featured Islands of the Sun: A Tribute to the Northern Exuma Cays, Bahamas, by University of Miami alumni and Bahamians Nikita Shiel-Rolle and John Thompson. The beautifully illustrated book takes the reader through the ecosystems of the Bahamas, from the highest hilltops to the depths of the ocean. It functions as an informative reference volume as well as a work of art, with photography and painted illustrations bringing to life the unique and diverse plants and animals of the Exuma Cays.

A 2010 UM graduate, Shiel-Rolle co-authored Islands of the Sun while studying in the Marine Affairs/Marine Science undergraduate program and working with Bahamian researcher and Rosenstiel School professor Pamela Reid. Shiel-Rolle is currently in Nassau, developing environmental education programs for Bahamas Marine EcoCentre, a nonprofit organization that she founded with Reid. Next year she plans to return to graduate school to study ecology.

If you missed the November 11 event, the art will be on display in the lobby of the North Grosvenor building at the Rosenstiel School through the holiday season. All proceeds from Islands of the Sun support the environmental educational activities of the Bahamas Marine EcoCentre. For further information visit tropicbirds.org.