Kingston Art Galleries

(Kingston, Surrey, Jamaica)

Kingston is certainly the place to come for art on Jamaica and is home to some of the island's premier galleries. At the top of any art aficionado's list should be a visit to the National Gallery of Jamaica, which contains a huge quantity of pieces and is a great way to fill your time.

At the Mutual Life Gallery are many art works created by some of Jamaica's leading artists, while the Gallery Pegasus at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel prefers to concentrate on promoting lesser-known burgeoning Caribbean artists. The University of Technology's Sculpture Park also deserves a visit and offers a less formal setting.

National Gallery of Jamaica

Address: Jamaica Roy West Building, 12 Ocean Boulevard, Kingston, Jamaica, JM
Tel: +1 876 922 1561
Jamaica's finest art gallery contains a wealth of Jamaican pieces from the days of the Taino Indians, all the way through to colonial times and more modern day contemporary efforts. The beautiful, low-level building is befitting of its well done exhibits. An annual exhibition held from December to spring - the National Visual Arts Exhibition, promotes post-colonial arts in the land, when entry is free.

The first floor is home to ten individual galleries, which are sensibly structured in chronological order and devoted to the Jamaican School. Amongst the most notable art works are landscapes by both John Dunkley and David Pottinger, portrait paintings by Albert Huie, and some striking sculptures by Edna Manley. Other highlights include the pottery within the Cecil Baugh Gallery, and the Jamaican art within the AD Scott Collection. Guided tours are available and it is often work booking your place in advance, due to heavy demand.
Open hours: Tuesday to Thursday - 10:00 to 16:30, Friday - 10:00 to 16:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 15:00
Admission: charge, discount for students and seniors

Mutual Life Gallery

Address: 2 Oxford Road, Kingston, Jamaica, JM
Tel: +1 876 929 4302
Operated on a not-for-profit basis, this place is on par with the National Gallery and displays a wealth of great works from noted and unknown Jamaican artists alike. The exhibitions at the Mutual Life change regularly (usually every month), although there are many fine, established displays for visitors to enjoy as well. Sited on the corner of Oxford Road and Old Hope Road, the Mutual Life Gallery is within easy walking distance of the Sculpture Park.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Sculpture Park

Address: Old Hope Road, Kingston, Jamaica, JM
Tel: +1 876 927 1680
Located within the campus of the University of Technology and just a short distance from the grounds of the University of the West Indies is the city's acclaimed Sculpture Park. The park began its life at the turn of the new millennium with a number of large contemporary sculptures of people, created by renowned Caribbean artists from not only Jamaica, but also Barbados, Grenada and St. Lucia.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Gallery Pegasus

Address: Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, 81 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston, Jamaica, JM
Tel: +1 876 927 926 3690
The Gallery Pegasus resides within the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, in the business district of New Kingston, next to Emancipation Park and Oxford Road. Head downstairs and you will find that the pieces are exhibited in a large open space and well arranged, comprising paintings, sculptures and various ceramics, all of which are for sale. Many of the artists on display here are young up-and-coming artists, and therefore the work is often reasonably priced. If you are looking for something cheap, then posters and prints can also be purchased here.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 15:00
Admission: free