Antigua and Barbuda will host the fourth edition of Art Week from November 11 to 18, with organisers unveiling an expanded programme that includes a new public art installation, a retrospective honouring one of the country’s most celebrated artists and a series of exhibitions across the destination.

The programme was launched at Quay Studio in Redcliffe Quay by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) on July 16, which said the event aims to showcase the country’s creative sector while giving visitors a deeper cultural experience.

Among the headline additions is Dual Thresholds, a public art installation featuring 28 reclaimed wooden doors transformed into original works by artists from Antigua and Barbuda. 

Inspired by the country’s people, landscapes and culture, the installation will first be displayed during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) before opening to the public as part of Art Week.

The festival will also feature a retrospective exhibition celebrating the life and work of the late Antiguan artist Maria Ross Iztueta at The Barracks Gallery.

Chief Marketing Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Charmaine Spencer said visitors are increasingly seeking authentic experiences that connect them with local communities.

“Today’s visitors are looking for authentic experiences that allow them to engage and participate rather than simply observe. Antigua and Barbuda Art Week offers those opportunities by connecting visitors directly with our artists, our culture and our communities,” Spencer said.

Curator Stephen Murphy said the Iztueta exhibition will introduce her work to new audiences while recognising her contribution to Antigua and Barbuda‘s artistic community.

“Maria Ross made an incredible contribution to the art community in Antigua and Barbuda. This exhibition provides an opportunity to introduce her work to new audiences during Art Week,” Murphy noted.

Organisers are also inviting artists from Antigua and Barbuda and across the Caribbean to participate in this year’s festival. Applications for the “Call for Artists” remain open until July 30.