The exhibitions in the National Gallery of Jamaica proudly display Jamaican arts and artifacts dating from A.D. 1000 to the present day. Displays about pre-colonisation and periods of Spanish and then English rule in the 1500s are housed in permanent and temporary exhibitions. See contemporary artworks by some of the country’s most renowned artists, including sculptures by Edna Manely and abstract works by Colin Garlands. Tour through the gallery to view the impressive collection of colonial-era artworks and discover the stories of artists who have influenced Jamaica’s cultural identity.
The National Gallery of Jamaica has one of the most comprehensive collections of Jamaican art in the world. Explore 10 galleries that display the country’s cultural history starting in the Jamaican Taino period in A.D. 1000. See the works of early Jamaican artists who created their own unique style. Admire bold sculptures by Edna Manley and dark paintings by John Dunkley.
Discover works up to the late-20th century by European artists such as George Robertson and Phillip Wickstead and the Jamaican-born printmaker Isaac Mendes Belisario.
Move through the gallery rooms to understand how Jamaican and Caribbean art evolved through the 20th century. These galleries are curated with the theme “Jamaican art for Jamaicans". Highlights include David Pottinger’s scenes of village life and religious works by Carl Abrahams.
Browse the African-style sculptures in the Larry Wirth gallery and the collection of pottery pieces in the Cecil Baugh Gallery of Ceramics.
Take a gallery tour to learn more about the art and the artists behind the works. You’ll need to book ahead and pay a small fee. Rest your feet and stop for a snack in the on-site café.
The National Gallery of Jamaica is located near the water in the Kingston mall. There is a fee to enter. If you come by car you can pay to park in the adjoining parking lot.
The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday and on the last Sunday of every month. There are reduced hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Check the official gallery website for details.
