 |
In the BVI, geography and geology combine to confer an artistic design of their own, and cultural activists are determined that the islands should still be presented as a naturally open picture book — much as Columbus and his men saw many centuries ago.
By Verna Penn Moll
It is this naturalness that provides a culture in which both contemporary and folk art flourish, making the Territory a magnet for local and expatriate artists from all over the world.
Artistic Design
The range and subjects of the numerous art shows held throughout the year illustrate the fertility of the place that nourishes and inspires British Virgin Islands artists. The natural beauty of the surroundings brings out their creativity. That is why cultural activists are actively seeking to maintain a pristine environment of azure waters, lush green hills, coral reefs and sandy beaches, and making sure that heritage tourism becomes part of the way of life of all British Virgin Islanders. Everyone is beginning to appreciate the contribution of artists to the economy and culture of the islands’ society, since they capture and record the life and history of the islands. Their art is a mirror that reflects the British Virgin Islands’ history, culture and heritage.
The BVI Culture and Art Series, established in 2004, is very active, consisting of exhibitions of local paintings that are on display for six months in the BVI House in London. It showcases local artists and the different mediums, techniques and styles they use. Many of the artists in this series have been formally trained, and there is strong competition during the selection process. The BVI Arts Guild is succeeding in establishing an identity locally and in the international art community, organizing exhibits across two continents, as well as educational programs and partnerships with internationally renowned organizations. Carol A. Vanterpool, Reuben Vanterpool, Lutia Tai Durante, Daniele Laure Ellis and Thor Downing are among those in the pioneering team.
Celebrating Caribbean Culture
The BVI fungi, calypso, reggae and gospel festivals are firmly rooted in African traditions but are distinctly Caribbean. The lively beat of fungi, steel pan and calypso celebrates our heritage at hotels, bars and parks. The Easter Festival in Virgin Gorda is held in the spring; the Music Festival is held in May; the Emancipation Festivals in Road Town, East End and Carrot Bay are held in the summer; and the Christmas Festival brightens Main Street in Road Town in December with lights, food, gifts and festivities. At these and other craft fairs held throughout the year, local artists and artisans display their amazing works in rattan, terracotta and wicker, as well as sculptures, watercolours, oil paintings and photography.
Focusing on developing heritage tourism in a big way, the Tourist Board, in conjunction with the Museum Team, continues to put together fascinating and informative exhibitions throughout the year. In May, they launched a recycling initiative called Trash To Treasure Competition. It urges the general public to get involved with reducing the amount of trash in landfills and dumpsters by using water bottles, cereal boxes, plastic bags, old linen, dryer lint and other trash to create high-quality craft items, and at the same time win lucrative prizes.
A Memorable Museum
The Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum, the newest in Road Town, is a restored 18th-century building that was originally used as a sugar refinery and opened as a museum in 2007. Its main collection features iron works from the 18th century, which are complemented by other exhibitions. Granny’s Room is an exhibit featuring a bedroom, living room, incidental furniture and artefacts from the early 19th century, spiced up with tales of childhood memories and folklore told by local historians, including BVI’s premier, the Honourable Ralph O’Neal. The main room contains the original cotton press along with the iron works items. The once-open courtyard has been transformed into the Cosmopolitan Hall, connecting the main room to its southern section. The Cosmopolitan Hall stages art exhibitions. The first one was sponsored by the Artists Guild and coordinated by Carol Vanterpool and Danielle Ellis in December 2007; it featured works by the islands’ top talented artists. The southern room features a photographic display of the Territory’s cultural history, flora and fauna. A staircase at the front of the room leads down to what was once an armoury; this room now displays various maritime artefacts.
The building itself has a fascinating history. Built in 1780 by the McCleverty family with slave labour, it was first a sugar refinery, then a cotton ginnery, a courthouse, the annual agricultural exhibition centre and the offices of the Town and Country Planning Department.
A band of determined culture activists headed by Ermin Penn, historical advisor to the Tourist Board, spearheaded the restoration of this historic landmark. The museum is open every day, and guides Hayacinth Martin and David Hodge will gladly show you around and answer all your questions.
On May 18, International Museum Day was observed and an opening ceremony was held at the Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum, which heralded a week of innovative activities. Brochures were introduced that detail four of the six museums that fall under the Department of Culture, as well as a video showing what visitors will find on a visit to each museum. This year’s theme is “Museums as an agent of social change,” and the focus will be on enabling students and seniors to visit museums during the week.
Local Talent Shines
BVI folk dance group The Cultural Dancers, mocko jumbies on stilts called sky dancers, and local fungi bands playing calypso and folk tunes on exhaust pipes, guitars, ukuleles, washtub basses, scratch gourds and triangles perform regularly at local cultural events. They also represent the BVI at regional cultural festivals and BVI Tourist Board events abroad. In addition, instruction in classical and Caribbean music such as steel pan and fungi is offered as part of the music curriculum at schools.
The BVI High School’s vibrant drama group performs around the Caribbean, and theatre arts are now offered at the Caribbean External Examinations level. H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) sponsors classical and jazz performers bimonthly from October to March. In addition, the College Chorale attracts huge crowds with performances of their Spring-Summer concert and a Christmas extravaganza in which all the ensembles participate in grand style. There is also a rich oral tradition, including story time at public libraries and formal recitations of poetry in school concerts and church festivals.
Growing Centres of BVI Culture
Aragorn’s Studio at Trellis Bay, Beef Island, is where local sculptor Aragorn Dick-Read creates copper and steel sculptures. His studio also offers lessons in pottery, woodcarving and basketry. Aragorn organizes local shows involving several of the real cultural beacons of the village.
The Caribbean Crafts Show, held at Trellis Bay around March, is a growing popular attraction, with artists and artisans from around the Caribbean. It is now a five-day affair sponsored by the Caribbean Artesian Network and the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association. This year, three days were spent at Trellis Bay and two days on Virgin Gorda and Road Town. Colourfully decorated booths accommodate displays of baskets, pottery, calabash, jewellery, leather and more, coupled with demonstrations of several of the crafts.
Bamboushay now has a convenient outlet in the heart of Road Town but still maintains the pottery studio and art shop at Nanny Cay Hotel and Marina, with a wide selection of locally made cards, paintings, prints and photographs.
Crafts Alive in Road Town, Tortola, is a picturesque village of traditional vernacular architecture with hip roofs and gingerbread trimmings. The thatched-roof houses bring to mind a less affluent era when freed Africans were just emerging and development was far away. The village is especially designed for local artists and craftspeople, who pause to chat with or help visitors even as they’re creating their artworks. Items range from African/Virgin Islands dolls to local straw hats and bags, handmade batik wraps, tiny-tots dresses and BVI shell angels.
The Folk Museum is housed in the Penn House, a typical West Indian, gingerbread-trimmed house located in Road Town. It was the home of Joseph Wilfred Penn, who built it in 1911. It houses a collection of photographs, crafts and artefacts.
Caribbean Landscape Galleries in the old Coco Plum Restaurant in Cappoons Bay features David Thrasher’s strikingly individual style, inspired by his 30-year international career in animation and his childhood drawings. There are also collections of prints and note cards. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
The Gallery in Road Town carries original works of art by Lisa Muddiman Gray and other talented artists.
Joseph Hodge’s studio, where his paintings are exhibited, overlooks the water in the Crafts Alive Village, and is also a venue for art classes for children and adults. This mainly self-taught artist has been capturing much of the social and cultural history of the BVI on canvas for more than 35 years. For example, he depicts many traditional houses and architecture that once lined both sides of Main Street in Road Town.
The Old Government House Museum is a popular spot for residents and visitors. It stands alongside the wall of an old fort that was destroyed by a hurricane in 1924. Governors, administrators and commissioners called it home from 1926 to 1999. Visit the newly added Quaker Room and Stamp Room and learn all about the administrative history of the BVI. The fascinating mural paintings in the dining room of the house were done by Margaret Barwick, a former governor’s wife, and local artists. The gift shop carries West Indian maps, prints, books and pottery. The museum is open for tours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and until 1 p.m. on Saturday.
At Nan’s Gallery at Apple Bay in North Tortola, Cappoons Bay, you’ll find Nan’s own watercolours, prints, calabash bowls, birdhouses, planters and other ornaments.
The North Shore Shell Museum in North Tortola, Carrot Bay, is open from dawn till dusk. This informal museum is an array of unique shells, interestingly shaped driftwood, fish traps and traditional wooden boats. Admission is free.
The Virgin Islands Maritime Museum is a part of the HLSC College, situated at Paraquita Bay. It was founded in 2005 and is dedicated to preserving the Maritime Heritage of the Virgin Islands through displays, photographs and educational outreach programmes.
Thee Artistic Gallery
Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour
Tel: 495-5104 / 495-5338
Fax: 495-5761
This delightful gallery and gift shop has catered to the community for more than 10 years, offering tanzanite and opal jewellery, crystal ornaments, artwork, chimes, spices, music, frames, books and souvenirs. Be sure and stop by for lovely items to take back to your friends, family and kids. Don’t forget to treat yourself, too.
The Allamanda Gallery
Tel/Fax: 494-6680
The Allamanda Gallery, centrally located in Road Town, showcases stunning colour and black & white photographs of the British Virgin Islands. Inside, you will find cards and small gifts as well as beautifully framed archival photography. Worldwide shipping is available.
The Gallery
Main Street, Road Town
Phone: 494 2096
E-mail: thegallerybvi@yahoo.com
The Gallery is home to an exciting group of BVI Artists. Collections include watercolour and acrylic paintings, oils on canvas, handpainted silks, wax batiks, VI and Caribbean Maps. Choose from original paintings or limited edition prints, framed, matted or in tubes. Worldwide Shipping service affords you the choice and ability to buy a specially created BVI product.
Soper's Hole Wharf & Marina
West End, Tortola
Tel: 495-3087
Some shops at Soper's Hole stock West Indian fine art and artefacts. Also available are antique and reproduction maps, prints and gifts.
Take me shopping in the BVI.
Get a complete list of events, Bomba Full Moon Parties, public holidays, festivals, regattas and sporting events here.
|
It is this naturalness that provides a culture in which both contemporary and folk art flourish, making the Territory a magnet for local and expatriate artists from all over the world. 
The BVI fungi, calypso, reggae and gospel festivals are firmly rooted in African traditions but are distinctly Caribbean. The lively beat of fungi, steel pan and calypso celebrates our heritage at hotels, bars and parks. The Easter Festival in Virgin Gorda is held in the spring; the Music Festival is held in May; the Emancipation Festivals in Road Town, East End and Carrot Bay are held in the summer; and the Christmas Festival brightens Main Street in Road Town in December with lights, food, gifts and festivities. At these and other craft fairs held throughout the year, local artists and artisans display their amazing works in rattan, terracotta and wicker, as well as sculptures, watercolours, oil paintings and photography.
The Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum, the newest in Road Town, is a restored 18th-century building that was originally used as a sugar refinery and opened as a museum in 2007. Its main collection features iron works from the 18th century, which are complemented by other exhibitions. Granny’s Room is an exhibit featuring a bedroom, living room, incidental furniture and artefacts from the early 19th century, spiced up with tales of childhood memories and folklore told by local historians, including BVI’s premier, the Honourable Ralph O’Neal. The main room contains the original cotton press along with the iron works items. The once-open courtyard has been transformed into the Cosmopolitan Hall, connecting the main room to its southern section. The Cosmopolitan Hall stages art exhibitions. The first one was sponsored by the Artists Guild and coordinated by Carol Vanterpool and Danielle Ellis in December 2007; it featured works by the islands’ top talented artists. The southern room features a photographic display of the Territory’s cultural history, flora and fauna. A staircase at the front of the room leads down to what was once an armoury; this room now displays various maritime artefacts.
BVI folk dance group The Cultural Dancers, mocko jumbies on stilts called sky dancers, and local fungi bands playing calypso and folk tunes on exhaust pipes, guitars, ukuleles, washtub basses, scratch gourds and triangles perform regularly at local cultural events. They also represent the BVI at regional cultural festivals and BVI Tourist Board events abroad. In addition, instruction in classical and Caribbean music such as steel pan and fungi is offered as part of the music curriculum at schools.
Aragorn’s Studio at Trellis Bay, Beef Island, is where local sculptor Aragorn Dick-Read creates copper and steel sculptures. His studio also offers lessons in pottery, woodcarving and basketry. Aragorn organizes local shows involving several of the real cultural beacons of the village. 
The Gallery in Road Town carries original works of art by Lisa Muddiman Gray and other talented artists. 