Seychelles Art Galleries

(Seychelles, SC, Africa)

More prevalent than the museums of the Seychelles are its private art galleries, which are in plentiful supply on islands such as Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. These are usually combined with the studio of the resident artist. Here, visitors can browse original local pieces of art, as well as being able to view the artist at work.

On Mahé, a good selection of Seychelles art can be found in Victoria, being on display at both the National Gallery and also at the National Cultural Centre. Also in Victoria, the Kaz Zanana is often known as the George Camille Gallery and offers visitors the chance to purchase some traditional pieces.


Each year during the Festival Kreol, held at the end of October or the beginning of November, some of the islands' renowned artists display their paintings at the Kaz Zanana, with past exhibited artists including names such as Christine Chetty, Egbert Marday, Leon Radegonde and Nigel Henry. This event and others is organised by the National Arts Council (NAC) of the Seychelles, a governing body working to promote and coordinate art throughout the islands.

National Library

Address: Francis Rachel Street, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles, SC, Africa
Tel: +248 04 32 13 33
This rather striking contemporary building was constructed between 1991 and 1994 to replace the earlier Carnegie Library, which dated from 1910. The purpose-built National Library is an important resource, being home to the national public and reference libraries of the archipelago, as well as housing national archives and a huge collection of monographs. Whilst many visitors come here to read the books and obtain regional island information, others come here to admire the paintings on display within the onsite art gallery, which has gained quite a reputation.
Open hours: Monday and Tuesday - 08:30 to 16:30, Thursday and Friday - 08:30 to 16:30, Saturday - 09:00 to 13:00
Admission: free

Barbara Jenson Studio

Address: La Digue, Seychelles, SC, Africa
Tel: +248 04 23 44 06
The British-born artist Barbara Jenson has worked and lived on the island of La Digue from her beachfront studio-cum-gallery since the 1980s, shaded by palm trees and surrounded by lush vegetation. Here, it's possible to view and purchase her distinctive original works of art, including a mixture of Creole scenes, landscapes and portraits. As well as the acrylic and watercolour paintings, visitors can expect to see charcoal sketches, pencil drawings, screenprints and hand-coloured textiles.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: free

Kaz Zanana (George Camille Gallery)

Address: Revolution Avenue, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles, SC, Africa
Tel: +248 04 34 43 34
Born on Mahé, George Camille's art education included a period at Goldsmiths College in London. Camille's first gallery, Kaz Zanana, opened in the late 1990s and is situated within a restored colonial wooden house dating back to 1915. The permanent exhibition of original canvases and prints by the artist is accompanied by pleasant gardens and a popular restaurant, open for snacks, light lunches and evening dinner (Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 23:00).
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 13:00
Admission: free

Galerie Passerose

Address: Baie Sainte Anne, Praslin, Seychelles, SC, Africa
Tel: +248 04 23 20 96
Located on the island of Praslin, the Galerie Passerose resides in the south-easterly region, within Baie Sainte Anne and close to Anse Lamour, Anse Marie Louise and Petite Anse. Many established and up-and-coming Seychellois artists are actively promoted here, through a series of regularly changing exhibitions. Noteworthy artists exhibited at the Galerie Passerose in the past include names such as Sheila Markham and Michael Adams, with art works including acrylic, gouache and watercolour paintings, silkscreen pieces and fun papier-mache sculptures of people in different poses. All of the pieces are for sale, along with some unusual handicrafts created from a variety of different mediums, including seashells and wood.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 13:00, 15:30 to 18:00
Admission: free