Over 50 artists will be participating in this year’s Art Week.

It is the third edition of the event.

Presented by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) in partnership with the Department of Culture, this year’s edition promises to be the most immersive yet, blending traditional artforms with modern creativity, in a showcase of Antigua and Barbuda’s dynamic culture.

“We have so much in store. We have over 50 artists participating in Art Week this year. We have artists coming in from the US, from Canada, diaspora artists, as well as we have artists from the Caribbean that are participating. We have an artist coming in from Nevis. The reaction to Antigua and Barbuda Art Week from the artists has really been incredible. It’s been warming and even when we opened registration, we had artists from Haiti, from Guadeloupe, from just everywhere, basically.

“We were overwhelmed by the interest, and we’re just happy to see that the support continues this year,” ABTA Marketing Manager Maria Blackman shared.

Local artiste, Stephen Murphy who has been apart of the event since its inception spoke on the importance and impact this event has had for creatives.

“Art Week is important for you to show Antigua and the rest of the diaspora and the international community that we have very talented artists that can stand up to any other artist in the Caribbean and around the world. So, it’s very important for us to showcase ourselves and come across with a professional platform and that’s what Maria is doing for us and has been very helpful in that.

“If I may just use an example. They just had a Carifesta down in Barbados. We sent down some artwork with Emile Hill, a very talented gentleman and artist himself and we sold over a dozen pieces of art in Barbados to Barbadians. So,that just kind of shows you where we’re headed and how we’re going to get there through Art Week,” Murphy explained.

The theme this year is “Culture in Color”.

“So, the theme remains culture in color because, again, we want to be able to showcase the culture of Antigua and Barbuda. As a tourism authority, we know that persons travel now, and they want authentic experiences. They want diverse experiences. You don’t want to replicate or duplicate what is being done in another island. We want to showcase what is unique to Antigua and Barbuda and that’s our culture.

photo by Antigua and Barbuda Art Week

“That’s what sets us apart and so we are using the visual arts in addition to dance, spoken word, music to really show that. We’re inviting visitors into our community to engage with our artists. This is not a situation where these are like one-off events, you know, maybe taking place at a hotel or some other tourism space. This is an opportunity for them to get into the communities and engage and meet the artists, meet the people, and really support the orange economy and the creative community,” Blackman added.

All the pieces for Art Week 2025 that will be on display at the airport and other areas on the island will be for sale.

Art week 2025 will officially open on November 26.

Several other sub-events will take place.

“So, we’ve already started Art Week, to an extent because the student art competition is now on. So, we’ve gone out to the schools. We visited some of the schools, and we’re encouraging students between the ages of 7 to 17, to enter the student art competition. We have Flow on board as a sponsor and so we’re expecting some really amazing prizes from Flow.

“The exhibit takes place, the first exhibit that we open, is at the V.C. Bird International Airport, working with the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, on November 27th and that’s where the student art will be displayedin addition to the work of other artists in Antigua and Barbuda. 

“We’re also going to have art on display at Key Studios and the studios within Redcliffe Quay. So, we’re working very closely with Redcliffe Quay and Stephen Murphy, and the team of artists that’s in that grouping to put on a show within that space,” Blackman said.

Fashion takes the spotlight on November 30 with the much-anticipated ‘ZOIGE’ Fashion Show and Exhibit, hosted by Antigua and Barbuda fashion designer Garrett Javan, showcasing bold new aesthetics, and creating an interactive fashion experience.

A special tribute for fallen artistes ‘Art in the Quay’ will also take place alongside a main artiste display for those registered for Art Week 2025 on November 29.

photo by Antigua and Barbuda Art Week

Returning is the Art and Culture Bus tour. This time it will feature two days, one for students and the other for adults and will take you to galleries on the northern and southern sides of the island.

Over 15 events are included in Art Week 2025 from November 26 to December 2.

They include Mandalas and Mojitos and Rhythm and Vibes on November 28. Brunch with the Arts on November 30 and Open Studios and Galleries on December 1 and 2.

Mandalas and Mojitos is a relaxed art and cocktail evening of painting and sipping at ‘Local’ in Bay Gardens while Rhythm and Vibes is an evening of vibes, music, dance and spoken word at Hodges Bay Resort and Spa.

Brunch with the Arts is a Sunday brunch featuring local entertainment at Julees, along with Sweet Shades and Flavours CHART cuterie, a creative and culinary sip and paint experience.

Most activities are free and open to the public, with select experiences requiring pre-registration.

For paid events, tickets starting as low as EC$75 and go on sale mid-October at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, on the TickeTing App and through other event organisers.