Visitors browse the intriguing pieces on display.
In a secluded corner of one of Antigua’s most exclusive resorts, against the turquoise backdrop of the Caribbean Sea, an artistic explosion is taking place.
From vibrantly depicted pelicans, to the gentle brush strokes denoting a sun-baked trip to the beach, to the haunting green eyes of a temptress – all perfectly encapsulated on canvas – each creation is as distinct as the next.
Together they comprise the latest collection which is Jumby Bay’s acclaimed annual art show.
But despite the location, this is far from an esoteric excursion for a well-heeled elite. This is a show with a purpose.
Proceeds from sales of the 100-plus items on display are to be channelled towards developing educational programmes for budding local artists.
The exhibition – now in its third year – also gives talented Antiguans an opportunity to showcase their work.
This year, 18 artists and sculptors have seized that chance. The ensuing spectacle is something to behold. Room after breezy oceanfront room is adorned with Caribbean-themed singular offerings.
They include fine art paintings, bottles encrusted with seashells, and abstract Amedeo Modigliani-inspired elongated faces. One thing they all have in common is the incredible skill and attention to detail that has gone into their construction.
The enthusiasm of the exhibition’s curator, Eurileen Thibou, is infectious.
The show is currently the only one of its kind in the country. While two or three resorts display a handful of pieces for sale, most local galleries have fallen victim to the recession in recent years.
Two of Jumby Bay’s homeowners are credited with the show’s conception.
“The whole purpose is to promote local art,” Eurileen imparts. “The show has been so successful that a lot of the artists have received commissions already.
“The feedback has been great so far, we have sold several pieces which are replaced as soon as they are removed.”
While the prices might be out of many people’s reach – some will set you back several thousand dollars – a percentage of the sales is earmarked for providing art educators for schools.
“We are in talks with the Ministry of Education who are very excited about the venture. While they have ideas for things they want to do, they don’t have the funding or the manpower to put them into action,” Eurileen continues.
“Local government schools don’t have proper art teachers – they have teachers who do art but it’s not the same thing.
“We hope to catch children at that ideal age where they have started to develop their skills and want to continue as they get older.
“A lot of people think you can’t build a career on art – we want to show them that you can.”
For the next three months, the public can view the stunning pieces for themselves. The exhibition will run until the end of April and is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30 pm to 6 pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 12 noon. Email jumbybayartshow@yahoo.com to arrange a visit.
We agree with KC’s comments as this article gives a somewhat biased and misinformed view of our island’s great art scene. As KC states, there are many great art teachers on the island who are extremely dedicated in their work and who have successfully encouraged their students to submit great pieces of artwork in our island’s various art competitions, including Art At The Ridge’s Schoolchildren’s Christmas Card competition (which was previously run by the Bank of Antigua and the Museum of Antigua & Barbuda). Our recent Juried Art Competition was the second one we held (in the second year that we have been open). It attracted new, young, fresh local talent and our winner is a recent graduate of Antigua State College, under the tutelage of well-known Antiguan artist Mark Brown who works tirelessly to inspire our young and budding artists. The Jumby Bay Art Show is only open during a few months in the high season – it is not open to the general public and can only be viewed by appointment. It has successfully highlighted some of our island’s great artists to an exclusive market. Meanwhile, our island’s art galleries and artists’ studios are generally open throughout the year, and support our island’s artists throughout the challenging low season by offering a wide range of local art and crafts, art exhibitions, craft fairs and various other events and promotions. These venues offer just as significant input to our island’s art scene as does the Jumby Bay Art Show. There is room for all of us and it can only be to the benefit of all as we all move forward to continue to promote our island as a visual arts hot spot in the Caribbean, something we can all share and be very proud of, in a supportive (rather than competitive) way.
Joy James
Art At The Ridge
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
We agree with KC’s comments as this article gives a somewhat biased view of our island’s great art scene. As KC states, there are many great art teachers on the island who are extremely dedicated in their work and who have successfully encouraged their students to submit great pieces of artwork in our island’s various art competitions, including Art At The Ridge’s Schoolchildren’s Christmas Card competition (which was previously run by the Bank of Antigua and the Museum of Antigua & Barbuda). Our recent Juried Art Competition was the second one we held (in the second year that we have been open). It attracted new, young, fresh local talent and our winner is a recent graduate of Antigua State College, under the tutelage of well-known Antiguan artist Mark Brown who works tirelessly to inspire our young and budding artists. The Jumby Bay Art Show is only open during a few months in the high season – it is not open to the general public and can only be viewed by appointment. It has successfully highlighted some of our island’s great artists to an exclusive market. Meanwhile, our island’s art galleries and artists’ studios are generally open throughout the year, and support our island’s artists throughout the challenging low season by offering a wide range of local art and crafts, art exhibitions, craft fairs and various other events and promotions. These venues offer just as significant input to our island’s art scene as does the Jumby Bay Art Show. There is room for all of us and it can only be to the benefit of all as we all move forward to continue to promote our island as a visual arts hot spot in the Caribbean, something we can all share and be very proud of, in a supportive (rather than competitive) way.
Joy James
Art At The Ridge
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
“Local government schools don’t have proper art teachers – they have teachers who do art but it’s not the same thing.”
That statement is an insult to our great art teacher’s who have been inspiring their students to create masterpieces for years! Many of these teachers who “do” art but apparently not proper enough to teach it have facilitated successes at CXC and the Sailing week & Bank of Antigua Christmas card competitons.
I wonder how many art students or “not proper” teachers have pieces in this exhibit? How will the students and teachers get a chance to be inspired by the great artists and sculptors whose pieces are on show miles away?
I guess when the fog clears all will see the true intentions…
Like or Dislike:
1 
0