Meet the Writer/Artist

 Vidya Birkhoff, is a writer and artist from Trinidad and Tobago. She hopes to capture - by the pen and brush - the emotional triumphs and celebrations from festivities borne out of folklore and religious ceremonies of the rich Caribbean culture.

Vidya grew up surrounded by traditional paintings and Indian sculptures created by her grandfather. She longed to one day follow in his footsteps, but life led her into a professional career in corporate America. She started experimenting with acrylic on canvas and in 2007, Vidya was one of seven featured artists during an exhibition held by The Arts and Science Council of Charlotte, North Carolina.

After returning to the Caribbean, Vidya opened the JavaLava Art Café in 2014 and launched the “Meet the Artist” exhibitions that offered emerging and established artists a platform to showcase and sell their works in Montserrat.

Vidya’s research into the origin of Carnival and other folklore and religious ceremonies across the Caribbean has stimulated her passion for writing. Yuh Can’t Stop de Carnival! is her debut novel.

“Writing and creating art gives me the opportunity to preserve my rich Caribbean heritage.”