Mckelvey and Camille Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award at Arts Awards 2025
VICTORIA, Seychelles — Mariette Mckelvey and Georges Camille received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Seychelles National Arts Awards 2025, held on Saturday evening at the International Conference Centre Seychelles. The award, presented by President Wavel Ramkalawan, honours a female and a male artist who have dedicated their lives to preserving and developing the arts of Seychelles.
The award ceremony, hosted by the Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts, recognised excellence, resilience and boundless creativity across multiple categories. Mr Camille, who also received the Best Arts and Entrepreneur award, expressed surprise at the double recognition, noting that he had used art to build an industry and commercialise his work over a 40-year career. “It’s a big validation for an artist, especially when you have clients seeing your work and noting they should be recognised,” he said.
Other winners on the night included Christine Chetty-Payet (Visual Arts, and Best Arts Education and Advocacy), Tania Jeremine (Best Performing Artist), Melinda Lespoir and Johnny Volcère (Best Filmmaking and Media Award), Florent Servina (Best Traditional Arts and Crafts), Alizée Low (Best Young Emerging Artist), Gilles Lionnet (Special Recognition), Eudoxie Labiche Harvie (Female special mention for traditional music and dance), Andreix Rosalie (Male special mention) and Raymond Clarisse (Jury Award). First Lady Linda Ramkalawan and Vice-President Ahmed Afif attended the ceremony.
