“I had to fulfill this burning desire” – Fitz Prince tells of artistic journey, faith, perseverance

…creates 12 apostles & 8 saints mosaics for Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Fitz Sherlon Prince, a 24-year-old artist from Wakapoa, a small Amerindian village along the lower Pomeroon River in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), has been making a significant impact through his unique artistic expressions, particularly within the Catholic community.
His passion for art, faith, and perseverance have led him to take on one of his largest and most ambitious projects to date—the creation of mosaics depicting the 12 apostles of Jesus and eight saints for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Georgetown.

Growing up in a family of 14, Prince experienced a life that was deeply rooted in the traditions of his Seventh Day Baptist upbringing. However, his life took a transformative turn when he attended Charity Secondary School and was living in the St John Bosco Catholic Boys’ dormitory on the Essequibo Coast.
At the age of 15, after being inspired by the kindness and practices of the Catholic community around him, Prince converted to Catholicism. This new chapter in his life significantly influenced his artistic journey.
His early exposure to religious art, particularly Catholic iconography and history, ignited a passion for using art as a medium to explore and express his newfound faith. As his love for the craft continued, the young man focused his artistic endeavours on pyrography – a technique that involves burning designs into wood.
Despite his strong passion and natural talent for art, Prince did not pursue the subject at the Caribbean Examination Secondary Certificate (CSEC) exams nor did he initially embark on a career as an artist.
In fact, in 2021, Prince recalled feeling stuck in life. He had completed high school and his religious studies on the Essequibo Coast and had returned home where he was working along with his village’s Toshao as a sports officer.

“I didn’t feel like the job was for me. I wasn’t inspired enough to continue going along with it. And I didn’t know what to do next and during that same time, I was called by the SSVM (Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará) Sisters…,” the young man related during an interview with Guyana Times.

Artistic abilities
Recognising his artistic abilities, the SSVM Sisters commissioned Prince to create a piece of pyrography art for their chapel.
“How it works is that, I drew first what I had in mind with a pencil and after that, I go in with a torch and I follow the lines, follow the designs and it creates depiction. To complement that, I can use paint or stains,” Prince explained his process of creating pyrography art.
He said that a church along the Upper Pomeroon River commissioned him to create more of his distinctive artwork.
After these and other commissions, Prince emerged more confident in his abilities as a career artist. As such, in 2022, Prince enrolled at the E.R. Burrowes School of Art – after discovering of the school’s existence.
“I didn’t know that there was an art school in Guyana, until a friend told me,” he explained.
Enrolling in the school was a major decision, Prince recalled, noting that there were many obstacles in his way, including lack of financial support.
“We’re not from a wealthy family and I didn’t want that to be a burden on my parents. I didn’t want my studies to be a burden on them so it was a hard decision,” he explained, noting that he strongly contemplated pursuing his love for art as a career, or just giving up and working a regular job to make ends meet.

Burning desire
After much deliberations, Prince made the bold decision to travel to Georgetown, work a regular job and pursue his art studies.
“I had to fulfill this burning desire that I had, that I must become an artist. It was a calling,” he expressed, adding that “it was not easy to pick up myself and leave my family behind.”
Nevertheless, while studying at the E.R. Burrowes School of Art, he was approached by the administrator of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with an extraordinary opportunity.
The cathedral, known for its stunning architecture, needed a series of religious art pieces to adorn its walls. Prince was tasked with creating depictions of the 12 apostles of Jesus and eight saints, a commission that would become his largest and most ambitious project to date.
“I was amazed I was being asked to do it. And I hadn’t even completed my studies,” Prince expressed, noting that he was deeply honoured and grateful for the opportunity.
Inspired by his deep connection to Catholicism, Prince sought to create art that was not only visually stunning but also spiritually meaningful. Given the cathedral’s architecture, which was designed to feature frescoes and sculptures, Prince decided to create a mosaic illusion using paint instead of traditional tiles. The result was a striking visual effect that captured the grandeur of mosaic art while blending his own artistic style and faith.
The project was not without its challenges. The most notable hurdle was the height of the scaffold, which stood at approximately 80 feet.
The difficulty of relocating such a tall scaffold posed a logistical problem, but with the help and support of the people around him, Prince was able to navigate these obstacles and continue with his work.
The artistic process was also demanding, requiring patience and precision. Prince dedicated countless hours to ensure that every detail of the mosaics was meticulously crafted, reflecting the importance of the saints and apostles depicted. The symbolism behind each figure was carefully considered, with each mosaic telling a story of faith, devotion, and spiritual strength.
After months of hard work, Prince completed his mosaic project on February 6, 2025. The 12 apostles and eight saints now grace the ceilings of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, providing a visual testament to the power of faith, art, and perseverance.
Prince’s journey is one of inspiration and determination. In his message to fellow local artists, he encourages them to persevere in the face of obstacles and challenges. He acknowledges that the path of an artist can be difficult, but urges others to continue practicing, improving their skills, and remaining confident in their abilities.