Championing Dominica’s Art and Culture with Unveiling of Premier Art Spaces
GEMS Holdings Ltd. proudly unveils its newest endeavour: a vibrant synergy of creativity and culture, through the inauguration of two art galleries in Dominica – the Old Oven Art Gallery located at the Fort Young Hotel, and the Bwa Denn Art Gallery at Secret Bay.
Fort Young Hotel’s Old Oven Art Gallery was officially opened on November 25th, 2023. Dedicated to the late cultural icon Dr. Alwin Bully, the inaugural exhibition, curated by Carla Armour, was a retrospective of his works along with selections from his personal collection. A new exhibition of for-sale works from local artists to include Carol Sorhaindo, Jenae Bell, Lowell Royer, Antonio Toledo and Marie Louise Pierre Louis opened on April 30th 2024.
GEMS Holding Ltd. is also thrilled to announce the forthcoming inauguration of Secret Bay’s Bwa Denn Art Gallery carded for June 29th, 2024. The Bwa Denn Art Gallery will be dedicated to the legacy of Dominica’s late master artist Earl Etienne. The first exhibition, a Précis Retrospective, will be a micro-oeuvre of Earl Etienne’s work with selected series and themes.
Mr. Aaron Hamilton, who has been appointed the Curator for both galleries, stated “By providing a platform for local artists to showcase and sell their work through multiple exhibitions during the year at both the Old Oven and Bwa Denn galleries, we are confident that this initiative will create new opportunities for our artists and foster the growth of Dominica’s arts and culture.” As Curator, Mr. Hamilton will be directly responsible for the curation of exhibitions and selection of artists and works,
“Our investment in and dedication of these spaces to the visual arts as commercial galleries is a testament to our recognition of the talent of local artists in Dominica and also represents our genuine commitment to the on-going development of the arts,” remarked Gregor Nassief, CEO of GEMS Holding Ltd. “Our galleries will provide a new level of exposure to our artists and their work to both the local and international community”.
These initiatives are deeply aligned with the GEMS Foundation’s mission, particularly under its Entertainment and Arts pillar, which aims to amplify Dominican talent across various artistic disciplines. The synergies between the Foundation and these two new art galleries serve as a testament to the Foundation’s commitment to showcasing Dominica’s vibrant arts and culture scene.
We invite local artists who are eager to showcase their works, to contact Mr. Aaron Hamilton, Curator, at 767-614-1583 or email to [email protected].
About GEMS Holdings Limited:
GEMS is an impact-driven Caribbean-based company dedicated to owning, managing, and developing world-class, sustainable luxury properties and businesses in the hospitality and tourism markets. The GEMS portfolio includes Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort, Secret Bay, The Residences at Secret Bay, and Tibay Villas.
