The Folk Research Centre (FRC) has conveyed its regards to Sir Dunstan St. Omer during his present illness. Sir Dunstan, 87, is the designer of Saint Lucia’s National Flag and the country’s best known artist.

On October 24, 2007, on the occasion of his 80th birthday, the FRC, in collaboration with the Jubilee Trust Fund and the Cultural Development Foundation declared Sir Dunstan a National Cultural Hero. A well attended ceremony marked the occasion at Jacmel, Roseau, home of the Church of the Holy Family, where one of his most famous murals is situated.

Nobel Laureate the Honorable Derek Walcott has written of his friendship with St. Omer in his 1973 award winning book, “Another Life.”

Sir Dunstan was awarded the St. Lucia Cross, St. Lucia’s highest National Award in 2004. The University of the West Indies awarded him an honorary Doctorate in 2009. He was knighted in 2010.