A National Treasure

"A National Treasure" painting by Alton R. Lowe

For over one hundred years the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band has been at the center of official government celebrations, as well as on informal occasions throughout The Bahamas. This is one of a number of paintings I did of the band over the years.

I was fortunate enough to obtain approval and financial support from The Bahamas Government to take the band to Key West and then on to Green Turtle Cay and Marsh Harbour as part of the Island Roots Heritage Festival. The excitement generated in Key West was a sight to see. Thousands of people lined Duval Street and the festivities went on for hours. With their red and white dress uniforms (the drummers with leopard cloth covering their chests), the band made quite a spectacle marching down the street with horns blowing and drums beating.

Today, the band is world famous both for the precision marching and the wide variety of music it plays. When the band comes to town, the men and women of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band put on a show not soon forgotten. - Alton