By Verna Penn Moll

Talented BVI artists reflect the beauty surrounding them. The British Virgin Islands' history, culture and heritage are reflected in its art. Both contemporary and folk art flourish to the point that the area has become a real mecca for both local and expatriate artists, the latter coming from all over the world. The region is a real melting pot of varied talent and styles, reflecting the natural beauty of the surrounding islands.

The most recent formal, ongoing development is the BVI Culture and Art Series, which consists of exhibitions of local paintings on display for six months in the BVI House in London. The series is designed to showcase BVI local artists and to expose them to the best in the world. Some artists who have already exhibited are Rueben Vanterpool, Joseph Hodge, Lute Tai Durant, Carol A. Vanterpool, Abby O'Neal, Thor Downing, Diane Drayton and Quito Rhymer, each with a distinctive style and quality. Forthcoming exhibitions will include Barbara O'Neal, who is primarily a portrait painter. The works of other artists like Linda O'Neal, who has been painting since the 1950s, and Cedric Turnbull, a high school art teacher, are showcased locally at studios and events.

Joseph Hodge is mainly self-taught and has been painting island scenes for more than 35 years. Therefore, his paintings capture much of the social and cultural history of the BVI. For example, he depicts many traditional houses and architecture that once lined both sides of Main Street in Road Town. His studio, where his paintings are exhibited, overlooks the water in the Crafts Alive village and is also a venue for art classes for children and adults.

Rueben Vanterpool has his studio at Great Mountain, high above Road Town, which offers an almost 360-degree scenic view of the rest of Tortola. His paintings immortalize the history of the BVI's society and culture. Washing day, market scenes, sugar mill activity, old administrative buildings, country walks and pasture scenes provide a glimpse into his extensive body of work. Besides painting for more than 40 years, Vanterpool has also worked with the BVI High School, the Community College and as the speaker of the BVI Legislative Council. He now paints full time again and executes life-size pieces, a new one being a re-structuring of the 18th-century Lower Estate Sugar Works.

Cedric Turnbull is very versatile and works in varied styles and mediums. He excels in airbrushing, graphic design, photography, screen-printing, fine art painting and woodcarving. He studied art at the Centre for Media Arts and at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. His works can be seen at the Chief Minister's Office, the East End Community Centre, on The Great Wall and at his gallery at Cat Enterprises, which is located in Crafts Alive village. You can also view a display of walking sticks, sea creatures, faces and abstract designs, which he carves from red and white cedar and mahogany. He is currently an art instructor at the BVI High School.

The Great Wall. Developed by past speaker of the House Rueben Vanterpool and assisted by others, the Great Wall seeks to summarize some of the cultural history of the BVI. Located on the Ridge Road in the Fahie Hill area, it brings the traveller face-to-face with aspects of life in the Virgin Islands as early as the 1950s. A cane-cutting scene recalls the history of the sugarcane era when the island of Tortola was carved into more than a hundred estates planted with sugarcane and cotton. Read the whole story here.

Galleries and Museums Showcase Unique Local Arts and Crafts

Aragorn Studio at Trellis Bay, Beef Island. Here local sculptor Aragorn Dick Read creates copper and steel sculptures. His studio also offers lessons in pottery, woodcarving and basketry. This is also the venue for the Caribbean crafts show held around March, attracting artists and artisans from around the Caribbean.

Bamboushay at Nanny Cay Hotel and Marina is a pottery studio and art shop. A wide selection of locally made cards, paintings, prints and photographs are available.

Crafts Alive in Road Town, Tortola is a picturesque village of traditional vernacular architecture with hip roofs and gingerbread trimmings. The thatched-roof houses bring to mind a less affluent era when free slaves were just emerging and development was far away. The village is especially designed for local artists and craftspeople who spin straw into gold. Their fingers twist even as they pause to serve or chat with visitors. Items range from African/Virgin dolls to local straw hats and bags, handmade batik wraps, tiny-tots dresses and BVI shell angels.

Old Government House Museum. The Old Government House Museum is now open for tours Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. It stands alongside the wall of an old fort on the site of its 1899 predecessor, which was destroyed by a hurricane in 1924. Governors, administrators and commissioners lived there from 1926 to 1999. The administrative history of the BVI can be found here, with tours lasting about 45 minutes. The museum shop carries West Indian maps, prints, books and pottery. Cold drinks are available, and a café on the back terrace will soon serve hot drinks and light refreshments. Plans are also underway to make the back terrace available for weddings, seminars and meetings.

The Folk Museum is housed in a typical West Indian, gingerbread-trimmed house located in Road Town. One can view Amerindian and marine artefacts, some several centuries old. There are also local and Caribbean craft items on sale.

Caribbean Landscape Galleries (Smugglers Cove). David Thrasher's strikingly individual style is derived from his 30-year international career in animation and his childhood drawings. There are also collections of prints and note cards. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Thrasher's work is also available online.

The Gallery in Road Town carries original works of art by Lisa Muddiman Gray and fine art photography by Amanda Baker.

Nan's Gallery at Apple Bay (North Tortola, Capoon's Bay). Here you'll find Nan's own watercolours, prints, calabash bowls, birdhouses, planters and other ornaments.

North Shore Shell Museum (North Tortola, Carrot Bay). Open from dawn 'til dusk, this informal museum is an array of unique shells, interestingly shaped driftwood, fish traps and traditional wooden boats. Admission is free.

Cultural Fairs and Festivals with a Clearly Caribbean Flavour

The BVI's fungi, calypso, reggae and gospel festivals are firmly rooted in African traditions but distinctly Caribbean. The lively beat of fungi, steel pan and calypso celebrates our heritage all around at hotels, bars, and parks. The Easter Festival in Virgin Gorda is held in the spring; the Music festival in May; the Emancipation Festival in Road Town, East End and Cane Garden Bay is held in the summer; and the Christmas Festival brightens Main Street in Road Town in December with lights, food, gifts and festivities. At these and other craft fairs held throughout the year, local artists and artisans display their amazing work in rattan, terracotta and wicker, as well as sculptures, watercolours, oil paintings and photography.

The Tourist Board puts together fascinating and informative exhibitions throughout the year. For example, in 2006 it sponsored a natural science exhibition on Jost Van Dyke. The most recent show, "Iron Works from the 18th Century," opened in March 2006, now forms the nucleus of a permanent museum at the Sugar Mill Estate in Road Town near the Cultural Centre building.

Focus on Local Talent

The Cultural Dancers, a BVI folk dance group, mocko jumbies dancing on stilts called sky dancers, and local fungi bands playing calypso and folk tunes on exhaust pipes, guitars, ukuleles, washtub basses, scratch gourds and triangles perform regularly at local cultural events. They also represent the BVI at regional cultural festivals and BVI Tourist Board events abroad. In addition, instruction in classical and Caribbean music such as steel pan and fungi is offered as part of the music curriculum at schools.

The BVI High School's vibrant drama group performs around the Caribbean, and theatre arts are now offered at the Caribbean External Examinations level (CXC). The latest performance in March, Anancy: The Route to Survival, featured a cast of 36 performers and was brilliantly directed by drama teacher Janis George Harris. This is the moving story of a young girl chained in the hold of a slave traders ship. She survives on the vitality and wisdom of traditional tales that later give her resources she needs to face her life in a strange new world.

Hamilton Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) sponsors classical and jazz performers bimonthly from October to March. There is also a rich oral tradition, including story time at public libraries and formal recitations of poetry in school concerts and church festivals.

Folklore And Legends Serve As Inspiration

From Anegada to Jost Van Dyke, the British Virgin Islands are full of stories and secrets. Anegada has its tales of shipwrecks, stories of pirates and lost treasure abound on Norman Island and Dead Chest Cay, and Marina Cay inspired a book and a film. This rich history and folklore have imbued the islands with their special charm and inspired local writers to share their folklore and culture with the rest of the world.

Classic history writers include Pearl Varlack, Norwell Harrigan and Vernon Pickering. Several others have had their folk tales and stories published locally and regionally, including Verna Penn Moll, Jennie Wheatley, Ermin Penn, Almein E. O'Neal and Hugo Vanterpool. Eugenia O'Neal has ventured into serious novels. Lucille Skelton, author of The Missing Motive, published in 2006, is working on her second mystery book.

Popular published poets include Alphesus Osorio Norman, Rufus Faulkner, Sheila Hyndman Wheatley, Ellen Romney West, Verna Penn Moll, Roy Hodge, Patricia Turnbull, Quincey Lettsome, Eileen Lucia Parsons, Sandra Phillip and Orlando Stevens.

Support for the Arts

In the spring of 2004, the BVI Government London Office launched a series of exhibitions to showcase the talent of BVI artists to a wide audience. The mediums, techniques and styles they work in are as varied as the 60 islands that make up the BVI. Many of the artists in this series have been formally trained, and there is strong competition during the selection process. All portfolios are approved by the Curator of BVI Art & Culture, Ms. Carol A. Vanterpool, before artists are chosen for the London Exhibit.

The seed planted during the 1970s and 1980s by the Public Library in organizing a three-week long Creative Arts Festival inspired the general public and encouraged the Ministry of Education to create a Culture Desk with a Cultural Officer. In 2006, this was upgraded to a Department of Culture under the Ministry of Education and Culture. In addition, the HLSCC established a Virgin Islands Studies Unit to encourage and develop local art forms, as well as to revive traditional BVI crafts such as straw work, boat building and ironwork. Its focus is on the analysis of the BVI's cultural life and social and political institutions.

Poets, Writers and Authors Inspired by Local Folklore

From Anegada to Jost Van Dyke, the British Virgin Islands are full of stories and secrets. Anegada has its tales of shipwrecks; Salt Island of taxes paid with bags of salt; stories of pirates and lost treasure abound on Norman Island and Deadman's Chest; and Marina Cay inspired a book and a film. This rich history and folklore have made the islands special and have inspired local writers who are happy to share their folklore and culture with the rest of the world.

The classic history writers are Pearl Varlack, Norwell Harrigan and Vernon Pickering. Several others have had their folk tales and stories published locally and regionally, including Verna Penn Moll, Jennie Wheatley, Ermin Penn, Dr. Almein E. O'Neal and Hugo Vanterpool. Eugenia O'Neal has ventured into serious novels. Lucille Skelton, author of The Missing Motive, published in 2006, is working on her second mystery book. Memoir is another popular genre of BVI writing; for example, the Memoirs of HR Penn, Ivan Dawson's A Humble Beginning and J.R. O'Neal with Life Notes: Reflections of a British Virgin Islander.

Popular published poets include Alphesus Osorio Norman, Rufus Faulkner, Sheila Hyndman Wheatley, Ellen Romney West, Verna Penn Moll, Roy Hodge, Patricia Turnbull, Dr. Quincey Lettsome, Eileene Lucia Parsons, Sandra Phillip and Orlando Stevens.

Profiles of BVI's Talented Authors

• Sheila Hyndman (deceased). Was feature writer for Liming Times and BVI Welcome Magazine. Won several literary awards locally and overseas. Her much celebrated anthology, Reflections, was published in 1989.
• Dr. Almein E. O'Neal. Won several Humanities awards. Published Let's Take a Dip (A collection of short stories) in 1984. She is currently the Dean at H.L.S. Community College.
• Patricia Turnbull. Published Rugged Verses (A collection of poems) in 1992. She is a part-time lecturer at H.L.S. Community College.
• Dr. Pearl Lanthe Varlack. Elected Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. Member of Pi Lambda Theta. Published The Virgin Islands Story with Norwell Harrigan in 1975. Co-authored three other books with Harrigan. Former Professor of Education, University of the Virgin Islands, USVI, currently retired.
• Jennie Wheatley. Wrote Pass It On (A collection of short stories). Former Director of Virgin Islands Studies at H.L.S. Community College, currently retired. Has a series of children's books in progress.
• Orlando Stevens. Wrote Gorda's Inspirational Voice (A book of poems) in 1987. Immigration Officer.
• Dr. Quincey Lettsome. Published Virgin Verses Vols. I, II and III (Poetry anthologies) and Titles in the Millennium Publications Project. Retired Acting Chief Education Officer.
• Vernon Pickering. Appeared on TV Shows and films in Europe and the United States. Won several awards in Europe. Wrote Early History of the British Virgin Islands from Columbus to Emancipation, Concise History of the BVIs and several handbooks for tourists. Editor of The Island Sun, a local newspaper.
• Norwell Elton Harrigan (deceased). Elected Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland and of the International Biographical Association. Published The Virgin Islands Story in 1975 and three other books co-authored with Pearl Varlack.
• Verna Penn Moll. Publications include Essence of Life (Poetry), 1967; Johnny Cake Country, 1990; Virgin Islands: a bibliography, 1991; St. Kitts-Nevis, 1995; Legacy, 1997; and Coals Of Fire, 1998. Titles in the Millennium Publications Project, 2000. Writes the column "The Land" for The StandPoint, a local newspaper. Currently the Chief Records Management Officer and Archives Coordinator of the BVI.
• Ermin Penn. Wrote Baby Coconut, Virgin Gorda and Virgin Islands Musings in Verse Song and Narrative, 1997; and Titles in the Millennium Publications Project, 2000. Currently Heritage Tourism Promoter, BVI Tourist Board.
• Eugenia O'Neal. Published From the Field to the Legislature; A History of Women in the Virgin Islands; and Just an Affair. Currently the City Manager for Road Town.
• Hugo Vanterpool. Wrote From Dawn Till Dusk. Lay preacher. Currently a Lecturer at H.L.S. Community College.
• Eileene Lucia Parsons. Founder of Cultural Dancers, a BVI folk dance group. Published Jumbie Gold, 1965; and Titles in Millennium Publications Project, 2000. Currently Minister of Natural Resources and Labour.

Thee Artistic Gallery
Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour
Tel: 495-5104 / 495-5338
Fax: 495-5761
This delightful gallery and gift shop has catered to the community for more than 10 years, offering tanzanite and opal jewellery, crystal ornaments, artwork, chimes, spices, music, frames, books and souvenirs. Be sure and stop by for lovely items to take back to your friends, family and kids. Don't forget to treat yourself, too.

The Gallery
Main Street, Road Town
Phone: 494 2096
E-mail: thegallerybvi@yahoo.com
The Gallery is home to an exciting group of BVI Artists. Collections include watercolor and acrylic paintings, oils on canvas, hand painted silks, wax batiks, VI and Caribbean Maps. Choose from original paintings or limited edition prints, framed, matted or in tubes. Worldwide Shipping service affords you the choice and ability to buy a specially created BVI product.

Hucksters
Old Customs House
Tel: 494-7165
Email: jillian_d@surfbvi.com
An old-fashioned shop with contemporary focus, it's housed in a historic building that served as the Customs House in the 18th century. Offers both antique and modern decorative and essential accessories, gifts and artwork.

Soper's Hole Wharf & Marina
West End, Tortola
Tel: 495-3087
Some shops at Soper's Hole stock West Indian fine art and artefacts. Also available are antique and reproduction maps, prints and gifts.

Take me shopping in the BVI.

Get a complete list of events, Bomba Full Moon Parties, public holidays, festivals, regattas and sporting events here.