Fun Barbados Art Galleries

Art Galleries ART FOUNDRY, FOURSQUARE HERITAGE PARK, ST. PHILIP (COMMERCIAL & PUBLIC)

This gallery and studio showcases both permanent and visiting exhibitions. Many of the shows are non-commercial.

BARBADOS GALLERY OF ART, GARRISON (NATIONAL, PUBLIC)

Opened in 1996, this is the island’s first true home of a national collection. There are both visiting and permanent exhibits. The permanent displays rotate also, so variety of the works in the national collection can be viewed by the public. Some prints are on sale.

BARBADOS ARTS COUNCIL, PELICAN VILLAGE (PUBLIC)

A forum and outlet for local artists to display their work, this setting showcases work by seasoned artists as well as new-comers. Exhibitions rotate monthly.

BERTALAN (SCULPTURE), MARINE GARDENS (PRIVATE)

Bertalan owns and operates the smallest (and perhaps only) one-man foundry in the world. His gallery and workshop are an integral part of his home, which you will find nestled in a little residential area just off the south coast main road. His metal sculptures are stunningly beautiful and definitely worth viewing. Bertalan and his wife are welcoming and friendly and his work is displayed both in his gardens as well as in studio areas of his home.

EARTHWORKS POTTERY, SHOP HILL, ST. THOMAS (COMMERCIAL)

Goldie Spieler and her son David have carved a special niche for themselves in the field of functional art pottery. Their work is unique and very Caribbean. You can find everything from individual show pieces to entire dinner place settings. There is art pottery for art’s sake as well as functional artistic pottery such as coffee mugs, plates and containers.

JOHN C. MAYERS (BATIK), BATHSHEBA (PRIVATE)

Tucked into the hills of Bathsheba is the working studio of John Mayers, who creates lovely batik works, primarily depicting island life and folklore.

GALLERY ROSS, ST. PETER (PRIVATE)

Working out of her Retreat House home, Frances Ross fashions lovely little carvings of monkeys, turtles and various types of foliage. She is also a painter and her watercolours again reflect nature in some way.

KIRBY GALLERY, HASTINGS (COMMERCIAL)

This commercial gallery contains a collection of original works by many of the top local artists. It also has a good selection of regional works. Styles range from realistic to abstract and all types of media are represented. The gallery also carries selection of prints to compliment their extensive fine art collection.

SANDBOX DESIGNS, THE RUM FACTORY $ HERITAGE PARK, ST. PHILIP (COMMERCIAL)

Sandbox & Co. Limited introduces their 1997/1998 Sandbox line of handpainted swimwear and beachwear inspired this year by tropical fruit. We create a new line of swimwear and beachwear each year to suit a variety of clients; young and mature. Each Sandbox creation is exclusively handpainted with original designs. Sandbox also offers a wide range of hats, cushions, tablecloths, placemats, lampshades, wall-hangings, tablerunners and tea towels.

MANGO’S FINE ART GALLERY, SPEIGHTSTOWN (PRIVATE)

This gallery features the stunning paintings and silk screens of Michael Adams. He renders Caribbean ‘slices of life’ in vibrant confusion and colours. Viewing by appointment.

MANGO JAM, THE RUM FACTORY $ HERITAGE PARK, ST. PHILIP (COMMERCIAL)

Mango Jam's focus is on things tropical, from flowers and fruits to more festive subjects, and her hand-painted items include women’s and children’s apparel as well as soft home furnishings. There are craft items from other local artisans here as well.

PORTOBELLO COLLECTION, ST. JAMES (COMMERCIAL)

Specialising in Haitian art, Portobello showcases the original paintings of some 100 Haitian artists. Many of the artists represented are considered Haiti’s finest in their field today. Haiti is known for its vibrant, colourful art, which is quite unlike work from anywhere else in the Caribbean.

POTTER’S HOUSE, SHOP HILL, ST. THOMAS (COMMERCIAL)

A collection of works by various local artists and craftspeople, this gallery is next to Earthworks Pottery and is located in the lovely Shop Hill setting overlooking St. Michael parish.

QUEEN’S PARK GALLERY (PUBLIC), QUEEN’S PARK (NATIONAL, PUBLIC)

The venue for many of the island’s public art, craft and photography shows. Also a major venue for national shows and exhibitions. Lovely setting and backdrop for shows. Check local media for events.

VERANDAH ART GALLERY, BRIDGETOWN (COMMERCIAL)

This upstairs gallery located the heart of Bridgetown features the original work of many of Barbados’ top artists, carvers and sculptors. There is also a selection of fine work by Haitian artists, as well as some local batik, ceramics and custom jewellery work.

WILD FEATHERS, ST. PHILIP (PRIVATE)

The studio-home of Geoffrey and Joan Skeete, who together specialise in the carvings and drawings of Caribbean birdlife. The family tradition extends a generation with work by their son, John and his wife, Monica. Geoff’s lovely carvings are on sale as are Joan’s watercolours, prints and notecards.

WINSTON KELLMAN STUDIO, ST. PHILIP (PRIVATE)

This studio presents the work of local artist Winston Kellman, who specialises in dappled, free form landscapes. The almost child-like quality of his work is both intriguing and compelling. Winston works primarily in watercolour and charcoals.