Shelly-Ann Inniss previews one of the newest events on the islands’ festival calendar
Antigua & Barbuda is relatively small at just over 100 square miles. Of course, you can always take up the evergreen invitation to find your favourites among its 365 beaches; and experience its exciting festivals — including Art Week, one of the newest additions to the islands’ cultural calendar.
With contemporary artist Heather Doram one of the driving forces behind its creation, Art Week — which debuted last year under the theme “Culture in Colour” — showcases painters and sculptors, musicians and poets, dancers, fashion designers, other artists and creators. And after the inaugural event in 2023, they’re coming together to do it again this 27 November–3 December.
Several of the islands’ most famous landmarks and restaurants around Antigua and Barbuda host exciting Art Week events. Located in English Harbour, Nelson’s Dockyard is the only continuously working Georgian-style dockyard in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can take in the breathtaking views at the Shirley Heights Lookout — some 490 feet above English Harbour — and then explore the nearby Boom at Gunpowder House Art Gallery to view a collection of work from artists exhibiting during Art Week.
Exhibits and the 16 participating art galleries are open to everyone, and the festival produces an official art trail map so you can find all of them — including the Rhythm of Blue Art Gallery (English Harbour); Stephen Murphy’s Zemi’s Art Gallery (Redcliffe Quay); Sarah Fuller’s Pottery (Dutchman’s Bay); and Fig Tree Studio Art Gallery (Fig Tree Drive).
Self-guided tours allow for soaking in everything at your own pace. Alternatively, the Art & Culture Bus Tour is a wonderful way to visit some of the galleries while sightseeing and gaining more insight into the twin-islands’ culture.
From art and fashion exhibits to art workshops, pop-up markets to showcases, each day of Art Week presents something unique, entertaining, inspiring, and engaging — and that’s before you even start to explore all the islands have to offer.
The young-at-heart and adventurers can enjoy adding ever-popular activities like horseback riding, powering ATVs up and down Antigua’s rolling hills, hiking, and mountain biking to their itineraries; while birders will delight in the chance to spot some of the roughly 100,000 birds that roost at Barbuda’s Frigate Bird Sanctuary.
Whether immersing yourself in the sweet rhythms of steelpan against the backdrop of the harbour, or getting your hands dirty while painting with any of the featured artists, Antigua & Barbuda’s Art Week showcases the magic of this beautiful country while honouring the creativity of its artists.