Antiguan born Iza Goodwin-Michael is a wife and a mother of 2 boys, and currently resides at Buckleys Extension, Antigua. Iza is a creative: she loves beauty, nature and life itself.

Iza grew up in a large family with her parents and 8 sisters. Throughout her childhood she was surrounded by art, design and creativity. Her father’s paintings hung throughout the house, and she often closely observed his various creative pursuits, the most memorable being, textile design with painting, tie-dye and batik and straw work and bag making. Her mother as a designer and seamstress was always surrounded by fabrics and threads, busy sketching, cutting and sewing. It is therefore no surprise that Iza herself grew up with a love for beauty and art, becoming a self-proclaimed artist. She not only developed her talents drawing, painting, pursuing various crafts and needlework, but as a teenager, she designed and sold beaded jewelry.

Iza has since channeled her love for art and design into a career in architecture. After many years of study, Iza became a registered architect in 2012. She leads her own architectural firm - Studio GM Architecture renowned locally and regionally for it’s design projects including hotels, schools and residencies. Iza’s most memorable projects includes being part of the design team for the Sir Novelle Richards Academy and the design team for the restoration of the West Wing of the Government House of Antigua and Barbuda.

Outside the scope of architecture, Iza’s other passions include karate. Iza is an avid karateka and has been active in this sport since 1995. Karate has introduced Iza to many people and cultures and different countries around the world. Iza has traveled the world for tournaments and training camps, managing to win a few medals, her most outstanding being the capture of the gold in women’s kumite (fighting) during the Caribbean Karate Championships in 2001. Iza is also a karate instructor and has been teaching karate to people of all ages since 2001. The discipline and focus developed through karate is carried over to all aspects of Iza’s life.

Iza tries to make the best of every opportunity life has to offer, she is a well-rounded individual who believes that through dedication, integrity and hard work, all goals can be reached.

Monica T. Davis is an architectural historian, designer, and historic preservationist. Her research explores the migration of Afro Caribbean Shotgun houses and the significance of Black Historic Districts. Passionate about uplifting her community through heritage, material culture, and architectural conservation on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, she uses preservation practices as a tool for economic stability. She is a woman of faith and creates opportunities for Black people to accrue generational wealth and to understand their own histories.

Monica is the Director of the Bellevue Passage Museum, Water’s Edge Museum, and the Middle Passage Marker, which highlights Antigua and Barbuda. She also serves as the US Representative of Botanique.

Mosia Challenger is a gifted creative designer who was born with a needle and thread in one hand and a pair of scissors in the other. She is a God-fearing wife, mother, entrepreneur and professional civil servant.

Alimerv A. Proctor is from the twin island state of Antigua and Barbuda, but was born and raised on the island of Antigua.

She is an Architectural Technician by trade and a Graduate Architect for the Ministry of Work in the Design & Control Division for the island's government.

Eryka “Ree” Joseph is an Afro-Caribbean (Antiguan-American; from the village of Liberta and Shirley, Long Island, New York) creative, integral to the aesthetic foundation of Botaniqué Studios, LLC.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Black Studies but a background and passion for Communications, Social Media Development, Video Editing, and so much more, we would not be where we are without her vision and complimentary hard work.

Anne Jonas was born and raised on the Caribbean Island of Antigua and Barbuda.

A woman of faith and an educator for most of her life, she is passionate about helping others achieve their greatest potential.

Anne is also of the view that there are certain characteristics that make one uniquely Antiguan and Barbudan. These views propel her to do her part to help preserve and protect her people's rich cultural heritage and find effective mechanisms for sharing the island's unique story with the global community. Botaniquè Studios is one such mechanism.

Anne has been working with like-minded individuals through this channel to create economic opportunities for entrepreneurial women while sharing an intriguing and triumphant story of their art and culture.

Dr. Barbara Paca, O.B.E., is Cultural Envoy to Antigua and Barbuda and has enjoyed working closely with craftswomen to preserve the intangible cultural heritage of the island nation. Through her philanthropic efforts, she has supported Botanique Studios and emerging artists.

This is Esther Louise Thomas, and she is the current Master Seedworker of Antigua and Barbuda. Read more where she describes in her own words how she came about learning the intangible cultural craft of Wild Tamarind Seedwork and her hopes for keeping this part of Antiguan and Barbudan culture alive.