The beauty of the arts and a symphony of colours: Art Week 2026 officially opens

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) officially opened the fourth edition of Antigua and Barbuda Art Week on Wednesday evening at Redcliffe Quay.

The launch event, themed “Symphony of Colours,” was officially opened by Maria Blackman, ABTA’s Marketing Communications Manager and Art Week lead, who reminded attendees of the conceptual idea as the festival continues to grow.

“Art Week began with a photograph,” she said, recalling a picture adorned with butterflies that led her to imagine a destination video told through musicians, dancers, visual artists and spoken word performers.

A chance conversation with local artist, Heather Doram, she explained, helped to turn that idea into an Art Week four years ago.

“Antigua and Barbuda Art Week does not belong only to the Tourism Authority, it belongs to the entire arts community,” she said, pointing to a calendar of events organised by groups including the Art and Cultural Village, Makŏ Fine Art Gallery and other galleries and venues. “Standing here this evening, I can finally see that destination video that I wanted to create happening.”

ABTA Chief Marketing Officer Charmaine Spencer delivered the official remarks, linking the theme to the country’s national moment.

Art Week, she said, follows the global attention of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 and the celebration of 45 years of independence.

“A symphony brings together different notes, instruments, and rhythms to create something greater than one element could ever achieve alone,” Spencer said.

She highlighted the Dual Thresholds door project, developed by Quay Studio and its art gallery, which has turned reclaimed wooden doors into freestanding, double-sided artworks by Antigua and Barbuda artists.

Spencer called the doors symbolic of entrances, exits and transitions, and said the tourism product is changing with traveller expectations. “Today’s traveller is looking for more than a beautiful destination,” she said. “Travellers want authentic connections.”

Spencer tied the festival to the authority’s marketing message. “This is what we say when we say the beach is just the beginning,” she said. She urged guests to buy, commission and promote local art, and closed by calling for “doors to be creative, doors to freedom, doors to international recognition, doors to economic opportunity.”

A taste of what was to be expected was highlighted including a Roots Krokus Collective folkloric presentation, a preview of “Out of the Krokus Bag,” which brings the Jam Bull and the islands’ history and folklore to Makŏ Fine Art Gallery during the week.

Spoken word by poet O’dane Doyley who casted Antigua and Barbuda as a living canvas, and Jeremiah Toussaint who reflected on identity, history and home.

Multidisciplinary artist Iyaba Ibo Mandingo gave guests a preview of Puppet Village, which will run at the Art and Cultural Village at Julees during Art Week.

Artist and curator Dylan Phillips thanked supporters and encouraged the public to come and view the new exhibitions at the Quay Studio Art Gallery’s collective show, the ABTA exhibition in the new E.T. Henry Gallery, and a retrospective for the late Maria Ross Iztueta at the Barracks.

The programme continues today, Thursday at 9 a.m. with the Rising Stars of Art exhibition at V.C. Bird International Airport, featuring winners of the Youth Art Competition.