Explore Island Art Galleries
The stunning vistas that visitors are treated to throughout USVI — from leafy cobblestone streets to lush hills framing azure seascapes — are perfectly captured by local artists whose works fill the art galleries found on each island. Visit a gallery on St. Croix, St. John or St. Thomas and take a beautiful piece of USVI home with you.
st. croix
For the most expansive selection of local art, including paintings, photographs, pottery, stained glass and sculptures, head to Many Hands Gallery in Christiansted. Owned by charming Irish expat Bob Gleeson, the gallery bursts with warmth and creativity. Bob provides stories and the background about each piece as you browse the tiny, jam-packed shop. Each artwork features a description with the artist’s name and contact information. After selecting your treasure, relax in the shady garden space located in the back of the building.
Prepare to be dazzled by the sparkling glass art at the two-story Mitchell Larsen Studio, a beloved institution in the heart of downtown Christiansted. For over 30 years, the gallery has produced one-of-a-kind glass art pieces, including ornaments, plates, goblets, picture frames and functional clocks. You’ll find whimsical designs that reflect St. Croix, like roosters, windmills and palm trees. A perk of the studio is that customers can order art customized to their specifications. Owners Jan Mitchell-Larsen and Steffen Larsen offer tours of their workshop, where the glass pieces are hand-sketched and fired. Jan’s work is featured in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian, and you’ll find her sculptures dotted around the island. Each month the studio hosts Art Thursday, offering evening demonstrations of their glass art process.
Step into the historic, 18th-century building perched on the Frederiksted waterfront to experience the only museum center in USVI. The Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts presents exhibits, art and culture classes, concerts and community events. See original art by local and regional artists in the light-filled upstairs gallery. Shop for prints, jewelry and crafts in the downstairs gift shop. Complete your visit with a stop by the museum’s lovely courtyard, which features a garden serving cocktails and lunch fare.
st. john
Combining a heady mix of art, rum and books, Bajo El Sol Gallery offers the ultimate Caribbean cultural experience in St. John’s popular Mongoose Junction outdoor mall. Climb the stone staircase adorned with ferns and enter this eclectic art bar/cafe for a deep dive into rum history and St. John art. The walls are lined with original works like carved wood pieces, mixed media, ceramics and notecard prints. In a corner, beside a cluster of jewelry crafted with local materials, is a selection of books covering St. John history and art. A counter displays pastries, handcrafted truffles and an array of teas alongside a long bar presenting bottles of rum from across the Caribbean. Curator Priscilla Hintz Riviera delivers engaging rum tastings that explore the islands where the spirits were created and the distilling process. The cozy gallery also sponsors exhibits, film screenings and artist talks.
Delight in the hand-painted wearable art splashed with vivid designs at Sloop Jones art gallery and studio on the scenic East End of St. John. Choose from banners, dresses, hats, beach bags and shirts at this fun gallery that’s been a St. John mainstay for more than 35 years. The gallery’s amiable namesake owner teaches Shirt of Art workshops that guide customers in painting techniques to create their own wearable art (a shirt and hat) to take home. Sloop entertains with stories about St. John as you browse the gallery’s eye-catching art.
A bright orange facade entices visitors to enter the flamboyant space of the Katia Moltisanti gallery in Cruz Bay. Bold cobalt walls showcase large and petite oil paintings that glow with the colors of St. John’s magical landscape. Owner Katia uses her connections to Italy, where she grew up in a family of artists and musicians, to infuse her work with classical painting techniques and a robust appreciation for life and nature. The gallery features notebooks that are handmade in Italy and adorned with her vivid designs, as well as beach towels, placemats, bags, notecards and kimonos. Katia welcomes visitors to her gallery to observe her painting process on evenings from Monday through Saturday.
st. thomas
A St. Thomas landmark, Mango Tango Art Gallery has been thrilling art lovers with fine art displays and exciting community events for more than 35 years. The gallery highlights evocative original paintings that focus on the island’s seascapes and local scenes, as well as historical Caribbean maps, ceramics, prints and art cards. Owner Jane Coombes maintains a welcoming, festive vibe in the shop with monthly art shows that typically include live music by local musicians.
The rainbow walls of Mystic Valley VI offer an eclectic array of local art, artisan goods and handmade jewelry. Located in the breezy Tillett Gardens complex, the shop is stuffed with art of every variety — from silkscreen prints and mobiles made with shells and stones to bracelets woven from local plants and hand-painted sarongs. The emporium is also a popular spot to pick up handmade soaps, oils and candles made with natural ingredients sourced from St. Thomas.
Stroll Charlotte Amalie’s bustling waterfront and visit Mystic By The Sea, a metaphysical shop featuring ethically sourced, fair trade art and artisan products. Everything inside the store is handmade, and owners Cynthia Zeki and Thomas Frierson ensure that the goods are created in accordance with fair business practices. The inviting shop stocks sand art, carved mahogany bowls, hand-dyed scarves, handmade dolls and sea glass wind chimes made by local artists. You’ll also find fair trade items like brass rings and bracelets emblazoned with sacred symbols from Egypt, along with a hand-carved marble chess set from Kenya.
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