The air in the Bliss Center for Performing Arts on March 27th hummed with a vibrant energy. It was the opening night of the Womxn in Art 2025 exhibit, organized by the esteemed Institute of Creative Arts – Belize, and I, Ruth Budram, found myself incredibly honored to be among the 30+ talented artists showcasing their work.

The theme for this year’s exhibition, “Accelerate Action: Rights, Equality, Empowerment for ALL Women and Girls,” resonated deeply, and to have my artistic voice contribute to this powerful message was a truly humbling experience.

For this special occasion, I presented five pieces that represent different facets of my artistic journey. Among them were three portraits, each striving to capture the unique essence, unique personalities and strength of three daughters. I also shared two of my aviation drawings, a testament to the intricate beauty and engineering of flight.

But perhaps the most exciting aspect for me was the introduction of my mixed media art. This new direction blends the precision of graphite and charcoal with the vibrant energy of colored pencil, creating striking contrasts between black-and-white realism and bursts of Caribbean color. Witnessing the captivated expressions of those viewing my art, their eyes tracing the meticulous details, filled me with immense joy.

The response to my work has been overwhelming, and the emotion that resonates most within me is profound gratitude. To see people connect with my creations, to witness their appreciation for the stories and emotions I strive to convey through my art, is an incredibly rewarding feeling.

This journey as an artist is one I don’t walk alone. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. Your encouragement, whether through a kind word, a shared post, or simply taking the time to look at my art, means the world to me.

A special acknowledgment goes to my wonderful girls, who often serve as my inspiring muses, and to my incredible husband, whose unwavering belief in my passion fuels my creative spirit.

I also want to express my sincere appreciation to my University of Belize community – my teachers and classmates. Your support and the recent feature in the student spotlight have been truly uplifting. Gracias for believing in me!

For those who connected with my pieces at the exhibition, I’m happy to share that the Womxn in Art 2025 exhibit remains open until April 27th, and two of my featured artworks are available for purchase. If you’d love to bring a piece of my art into your space or are interested in commissioning a custom artwork that speaks directly to you, I invite you to explore more of my work in my gallery and pick up a piece from my store.

Being part of the Womxn in Art 2025 exhibition has been an unforgettable experience, a testament to the power and diversity of female artistry in Belize. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and look forward to continuing to share my art from the heart.