More Than Just Art: My Soul-Stirring Visit to the National Gallery of Jamaica!

I recently took a journey into a true Jamaican treasure: the National Gallery! Now, this isn’t just any art gallery. This is the place where Jamaica’s story unfolds through brushstrokes, carvings, and colors that’ll make your spirit sing. Located in Downtown Kingston on Ocean Boulevard, it’s a beacon of our artistic heritage.

My first stop was to check out the permanent collections, which include the Historical Galleries. This suite of five galleries houses artworks and artifacts dating as far back as 1000 AD, from the Jamaican Taino period, through the Spanish and English colonization periods. You can also see works by notable European artists like Phillip Wickstead and George Robertson, as well as Isaac Mendes Belisario, the first documented Jamaican-born artist. Then there’s The Edna Manley Galleries, featuring works by Edna Manley herself, a founding member of the Jamaican Art movement and a passionate advocate for Jamaican cultural identity. The AD Scott Galleries showcase art from the first decade of Jamaican Independence , while the John Dunkley Galleries highlight the paintings and sculptures of Jamaican Intuitive John Dunkley. And let’s not forget The Kapo Galleries, which feature the works of Revival leader and prolific self-taught artist, Mallica “Kapo” Reynolds.

On this day, they also had a special treat: the 30th Art of Reggae Exhibition! This one was extra special, celebrating the Jamaican roots of hip hop. They had the top 100 posters from the 9th International Reggae Poster Contest, all paying tribute to the legendary DJ Kool Herc. Also known as Clive Campbell, he’s the Jamaican innovator who laid the foundation for hip hop culture. It’s amazing to see how our reggae music has touched and influenced the world. This exhibition is a vibrant reminder of that powerful connection.

I absolutely love art, and the National Gallery of Jamaica certainly didn’t disappoint. There were some very unique and interesting pieces that made me smile, and others that made me a little sad. But that’s the purpose of art, right? To move you.

Now, after all that artistic immersion, if you felt like taking a piece of Jamaica home with you, or just needed a little refreshment, the Gallery had me covered. They have a small gift shop with some unique finds – I even saw soursop wine! And if your belly starts to rumble, there’s a mini cafe where you can grab a snack and reflect on all the beauty you just witnessed.

For more information, you can visit their website: https://nationalgalleryofjamaica.wordpress.com/ and their Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/nationalgalleryofjamaica. You can also see the YouTube video of my tour for a visual experience!