Jam Bull and Art After Dark Among New Highlights for Antigua and Barbuda Art Week

Antigua and Barbuda Art Week will return from November 11 to 18 with new cultural experiences, including Jam Bull performances, evening art tours and opportunities for residents and visitors to explore the country’s galleries and creative studios.

Now in its fourth edition, the festival will bring together exhibitions, fashion, live painting, public art and hands-on workshops, with activities ranging from West African mask-making to sustainable art using recycled materials.

Among this year’s additions are “Art After Dark”, an evening tour along the Art Trail; “Out of the Krokus Bag”, a series of dramatic and cultural presentations featuring the Jam Bull; and the first Art Week opening of the Henré Designs studio.

Maria Blackman, Marketing Communications Manager at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, said the festival offers opportunities to connect with the destination’s people while helping artists reach new audiences and generate income through their work.

“Art Week creates that connection while also providing a platform for our artists to share their work,” Blackman said.

The official opening, Symphony of Colours, will take place at Redcliffe Quay on the evening of November 11, combining art, music, cuisine and performances. A preview of the Jam Bull presentation will introduce audiences to elements of Antigua and Barbuda’s history and folklore.

This year, the Tourism Authority’s Art Week exhibition will move from V.C. Bird International Airport to the new E.T. Henry Gallery in Redcliffe Quay, where works by more than 30 artists from across Antigua and Barbuda will be displayed.

The airport will continue to play a role in the festival. From November 11, arriving passengers will encounter winning entries from the “Rising Stars of Art” student competition and “Dual Thresholds”, a public art installation featuring artist-designed doors in the arrivals hall.

At Makŏ Fine Art Gallery, the Roots Krokus Collective will present “Out of the Krokus Bag”, exploring Caribbean stories through exhibitions, dance, poetry, workshops and performances.

Fashion designer and creative stylist Shem Henry will open the Henré Designs studio for “BE”, an intimate fashion and art experience. The Barracks Gallery will also host an exhibition of works by Maria Ross Iztueta, presented by Stephen Murphy in collaboration with Amaya Iztueta.

At the Art and Cultural Village at Julees, multidisciplinary artist Iyaba Ibo Mandingo will lead West African mask-making and puppet workshops alongside “Puppet Village”.

Other activities include “Bind Your Story”, a personalised notebook-making workshop, and a sustainable art experience organised by Good Humans 268 using recycled and repurposed materials.

The festival’s guided gallery bus tours will include a daytime Art & Culture tour on November 13, followed by the new Art After Dark experience on November 17, pairing evening art encounters with local wine tastings.

Visitors exploring independently can collect Art Trail guides at the Tourism Authority’s exhibition, visit participating galleries and studios, and vote for their favourite artist.

On November 14, Art Battle at Bay Gardens Caribbean Village will feature a live painting showdown. The Tourism Authority’s Flavours & Canvas event at Dennis’s Beach Bar and Restaurant will combine guided painting with tapas, cocktails and music.

The full programme, prices and booking details are available at visitantiguabarbuda.com/artweek. Organisers encourage advance reservations for experiences with limited capacity. Tickets for Flavours & Canvas and the Art Trail bus tours will be available through the TickeTing app.

Photo caption: Jam Bull performances, evening art tours and creative workshops are among the experiences planned for Antigua and Barbuda Art Week, November 11–18. Photos courtesy of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority.