IN a vibrant celebration of cultural legacy and creative expression, Berger Paints Jamaica Ltd partnered with the Bob Marley Museum to honour the 79th birthday of reggae icon and cultural matriarch Rita Marley, with a live painting experience held last Friday, at the museum grounds.

The centrepiece of the event was a live collaborative painting of Rita Marley, led by Jamaican visual artist Yanque Yip, who invited museum visitors, from children to elders, tourists to locals, to contribute to the canvas alongside him.

“It was a real honour to celebrate legends like Rita and, by extension, the Marley family,” said Yip.

“It was interesting having patrons of the museum participate in the painting, and it felt good to assist others in using their hands in the creation of this piece. I must say though, the paints were really good on canvas. It was my first time using Berger paints this way and the quality was excellent, and I would definitely use it again in future paintings,” added Yip.

The event, fuelled by Berger’s vibrant colour palette and creative tools, was not only a tribute to Rita Marley’s contributions to music and the arts, but also a continuation of the museum’s mission to engage the community through interactive cultural programming.

“When we celebrated Bob Marley’s 80th birthday, we engaged Berger to come on board for a mural painting, and the reception from the children, the tourists, and even our elders was just remarkable,” said Oneika Young of the Bob Marley Museum.

“We knew we wanted to do something special like that again for Rita. Everybody has an inner child, and we needed the supplies: the paint, the brushes, the canvas. We knew Berger would support something like this, so to honour Nana Rita, who has always been about the visual and performing arts, we reached out to them to be a part of this project. The brand alignment was natural, we reached out, got the yes, and we’re here today,” added Young.

Asheaka James, trade marketing manager at Berger Paints Jamaica, added that supporting initiatives like this one reflects the brand’s long-standing commitment to creativity, community engagement, and cultural heritage.

“At Berger Paints, we believe that colour is more than just a finish, it’s a form of expression, identity, and connection. Partnering with the Bob Marley Museum to honour Rita Marley was a natural fit for us, as her legacy embodies the same values we hold dear: creativity, culture, and community.

“Seeing people of all ages come together to create something beautiful, using our paints, was a powerful reminder of how art can bring people closer and celebrate what makes us uniquely Jamaican,” shared James.

Visual artist Yanque Yip during the live painting of Rita Marley in celebration of the matriarch’s 79th birthday.