St Kitts / Special Interests / Art & Artisans

Quite a number of artists, Kittitians and residents, work in the island and their art appears in hotels and bars around the island as well as in galleries for sale. The two most visible artists, whose work is known beyond the island, are two British painters (who now call St Kitts home) Kate Spencer and Rosey Cameron Smith. The Ocean Terrace Inn has a wide selection on view in its public areas, including an impressive painting by Barbara Kassab that hangs in reception and a mural by Rosey Cameron Smith in their Waterfalls Restaurant. Art also appears in restaurants such as the Ballahou in town, where Rosey Cameron Smith’s prints are up for sale. The National Museum in the Treasury Building in Basseterre occasionally hosts art exhibitions.

Art galleries, craft and art studios on St Kitts include:

Booyork Graphics & Art Gallery, Basseterre - Bold and brightly coloured work by Kittitian painter and graphic designer Dennis Richards. Pastel, collage and sculpture as well as painting.

Caribbean Craft Studio, Basseterre - For local craft and artwork.

Caribelle Batik, Romney Manor - A batik factory set in a very attractive former plantation estate house and ten acres of gardens on the leeward coast north-west of Basseterre. The factory, which was set up in 1974 by owner Maurice Widdowsson, uses pure Sea Island Cotton to create colourful wall hangings and tropical clothing. The batik process can be seen in action – designs are hand painted onto the material in a mixture of bees’ and paraffin wax and it is then dipped and painted with different colour dyes before being boiled to remove the wax. There is of course a shop. Do note that this is a popular stop for cruise ship passengers on island tours in the winter season and can get busy. Open 8.30am-4pm Mon-Fri and occasionally on weekends in season (end Oct to end Apr) when large cruise ships are in port.

Glass Island, Basseterre - Using a technique called fusing, Italian glass artist Gianni Bracciali, who is affiliated with Vetrate Artistiche Toscane in Siena, Italy, creates colourful collectables including large platters and jewellery.

Kate Spencer Art Studio and Gallery, Rawlins Estate - One of the Caribbean’s best known artists, Kate Spencer was born in England and has trained in Italy. Now a Kittitian, she works in oils and watercolours and has produced a charming portfolio of both local and regional scenes, with a very strong sense of colour. She also makes silk screen scarves. Prints and gifts such as place mats and drinks mats are available for purchase. Her studio, which can be visited, is located next door to Rawlins Plantation Inn in the north of the island,.

The Potter’s House, Spencer Cameron Gallery - Local potter Carla Astaphan (a former interior designer/decorator) uses local and imported clays in a range of ceramics which has been influenced by techniques handed down by traditional potters within the region. The gallery is open from 9am to 4pm, Mon-Sat.

Spencer Cameron Gallery, Basseterre - The gallery of Rosey Cameron Smith, is set in a very attractive two-storey mid 18th century building on the north side of Independence Square. Originally from Scotland, she moved to St Kitts in 1978 and is best known for her watercolours of local Vervet (green) monkeys, acrylics of dancing carnival clowns and a series of whimsical Caribbean scenes. The building, which Rosey owns, is also home to the individual galleries of other local artists and potters, as well as the St Kitts Craft House and Glass Island Designz. Examples of Rosey’s work can be seen island-wide. Look out for her wall mural at Waterfalls restaurant in the Ocean Terrace Inn. Open 9am-4pm Mon to Fri and 9am-2.30pm Sat.

Sugar Mill Gallery, Spencer Cameron Building - Paintings, ceramics and pottery by Leonie Warner-Young, a local artist known for her watercolours of St Kitts and Nevis.

Other artists working in St Kitts include Barbara Kassab originally from Saba, who uses a range of media, one of which includes panoramic island scenes in oils. A huge original painting of hers hangs in Ocean Terrace Inn’s reception. Young Kittitian Pierre Liburd is an upcoming artist (and a full time youth worker) who uses acrylic paint on canvas to produce bold paintings with strong lines, of local scenes. Also look out for work by ex-graphic designer Tom Allen Jones from Washington DC, who made St Kitts his home in 1994 is known for his chattel house paintings.

Contributors: James Henderson (editor)