Tanicia Pratt: A Visionary Caribbean Artist Bringing Authentic Stories to Life

For Tanicia Pratt, the Caribbean isn’t just a place—it’s the pulse of her creative journey. Raised in The Bahamas, Tanicia’s work as an artist, entrepreneur, and storyteller is deeply informed by the traditions, folklore, and community-centered values of her homeland. In 2022, she founded Plumbago House, a creative space where she produces, documents, and shares unconventional Caribbean stories, providing an authentic platform for both her work and the work of other artists.

Caribbean Roots, Creative Vision

Her passion for storytelling was nurtured by the blend of spirituality, community, and the natural world that defined her upbringing. “From waking up 3am every Boxing Day to attending church every Sunday, my Caribbean heritage created balanced rituals that grounded and suspended me  – our folklore, languages, beliefs, connection to the land, rituals, and even our strife have found themselves woven into what I create and why.”

Plumbago House: A Creative Sanctuary

Tanicia’s journey to founding Plumbago House began with her debut poetry collection BLUE, which explored the complexities of life and love in The Bahamas. Unsatisfied with simply self-publishing, Tanicia sought to create a space where she could nurture and expand her creative works. “I was also creating other works in conjunction with BLUE, like poetic films and live-performances,” she says. “Plumbago House became the home where I would be able to produce, document and deliver authentic creative works now, and for the future.”

This creative sanctuary isn’t just about her work; it’s a space where Caribbean stories are celebrated and shared on Tanicia’s terms. “It’s important, as a Black Caribbean woman, to have full ownership of your work. To, at least, know and understand what it means to create without disruption. Plumbago House was formed out of my need, as a writer and artist, to believe in the spirit of my ideas and to not wait for someone else to invite me to their table.”

Turning Self-Doubt Into Strength

While Tanicia has forged a successful path, like many entrepreneurs, she’s had to confront the challenge of self-doubt. “It’s something I still struggle with,” she admits. “Sometimes, I wonder if my work will be well-received or if I’m pushing myself too far.” But Tanicia has learned to embrace discomfort and push through it. “Overcoming self-doubt means feeling the fear but continuing anyway. It’s about trusting yourself and your vision.”

The Power of Community and Collaboration

For Tanicia, the most rewarding part of her work is the sense of joy and connection that comes from community collaboration. “The most rewarding experience has been seeing the joy of community when you’re working on a really big project,” she says. “To see people in their purpose, and having a great time together always makes me happy. To be in any space where I can see that pure glow spread in a room brings me a sense of peace and gratitude that is difficult to explain. It’s why I do what I do.”

Through Plumbago House, Tanicia works to create spaces where people can experience that energy—a place where art is shared, celebrated, and nurtured.

A Legacy of Integrity and Authenticity

Plumbago House is not designed to be a mainstream production house, she says. Instead, Tanicia’s vision is one that prioritizes authenticity, integrity, and human connection above all. “Being from the Caribbean is to understand that things move slowly here. I feel that this is the beauty of our region; our ability to create from a space that is community-centered. Every project at Plumbago House is cultivated with time, love and intention, valuing integrity, authenticity and human connection.”

Looking forward, Tanicia is committed to ensuring that Caribbean voices continue to resonate worldwide. “Hopefully, works created within the space will continue to honor the legacy before me and leave behind foundations that inspire the next generation of African & Caribbean artists.”