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Tonight we're taking a closer look at the Body Painting sessions and whether Trina Merry ever intended to get paid to tour body paint enthusiasts around Belize's Mayan ruins. Cherisse Halsall has the story.

Last week we introduced you to World Champion Body Painter Trina Merry an artist who came to Belize to collaborate with locals as well as her own model to blend them into Mayan monuments.

And while we watched her work we asked her whether she saw it as cultural appropriation.

Trina Merry, World Champion Body Painter
"I am not in any way trying to take over the culture or approach it from a manner of how I view your culture or here is how your culture should be. In other words, I am coming here quietly, blending in learning, listening, interacting with Mayans and Belizean and with these amazing locations and the amazing partnerships that I have had to just kind of, um, to learn, I'm here to learn."

But Merry was about to learn that at least one Mayan group wasn't happy with her fine art project and had in fact been offended by it.

She sat down with Juan Caal in Hopkins to clarify what exactly caused the offense.

Trina Merry, World Champion Body Painter
"I don't fully understand attacking me as an artist personally."

Reporter:
"I don't think anyone is attacking you Trina I just think we are clarifying some misunderstandings that you know the information you're view as an artist, I'm pretty sure and I can tell you that it looks arts, and I enjoy observing art but it just happened and the mere fact that it happened at a Sacred temple changed the entire dynamic of it."

Trina Merry, World Champion Body Painter
"At some point some of my people feel that that is a disrespect, a major disrespect to the site and regard for our cultural values."

Trina Merry, World Champion Body Painter
"It took me about two and a half, about two years to really find the correct people to speak with and do all of the research and plan to do a test shoot in Belize, um, I am passionate about being here and really try to help the people of Belize because my family lives here."

"I got permission, got permits from the Institute of Archeology to do my first piece which was at Xunantunich and about 8 months after that I sent them photos and videos of what I had made and asked if we could continue the project as we had spoken about, they said yes and they granted me permission to do three more locations."

Reporter:
"So this is the second body painting that you're doing? So there was actually a first one?"

Trina Merry, World Champion Body Painter
"Yes."

Reporter:
"Or several?"

Trina Merry, World Champion Body Painter
"Yes, we did a test shoot where there were some locations in nature as well as I went to Xunantunich."

Trina Merry, World Champion Body Painter
"I think. There were a lot of inaccurate facts there was no nudity, this is not a project that was commercial, I'm not doing any photo tours to be clear this is a fine art project, there are no photo tours taking place and there is no money that I am gaining from this."

But a look at Trina Merry's Facebook page demonstrates that she did in fact advertise what she called, quote: "travel body paint sessions" at 20% off if you booked ahead of time.

That ad could be deemed illegal as it flouts the Belizean law which states that tours of Belize can only be conducted by licensed tour guides.

But what about this artist's response to the Maya?

Trina Merry, World Champion Body Painter
"So I want you to know that my intent is never to do harm ever."

Reporter:
"Do you feel that maybe you owe an apology to the Maya people in regard to this?"

Trina Merry, World Champion Body Painter
"So, I feel like I am going to have to get back to you about that and do a bit more research but I will say that my Internet was never to do anyone any harm and I really do approach this with respect and I go through all of the legal channels and get permits in advance."

A statement from Institute of Archaeology director Melissa Badillo tonight says, quote: "Request for conducting body art at selected archaeological reserves was submitted by Ms Trina Merry. This request was approved based on the uniqueness of the project and being non-traditional marketing for the respective archaeological sites, particularly with the international art and cultural community."

It goes on to say, quote: "Similar body painting practices is thought to have been practised by the ancient Maya, therefore, providing that connection to this modern concept. The Institute of Archaeology, however, was not informed or aware that Ms Merry would have been advertising the project as a tour."

7News also contacted Merry who is still in country and she says that the itinerary posted was never an advert for a tour, instead, she posts itineraries for her social media followers.