The following is a complete list of art galleries in Belize. We have written to a couple of the art galleries to see if they have an association list that they can provide. As soon as this is received we will update this article. Some of the larger galleries will ship your art piece to most anywhere in the world via post or private courier.
Belize.com is the source for exclusive and some may say, the elusive, copyright Belize Coat of Arms carved on native hardwood. Each CoA individually signed and serial numbered by the artist M.A. Romero. Contact us as per the Contact Us Link below to place your order for a unique piece of Belizean art.
Tip: Most Cities and Towns in Belize have government managed Houses Of Culture. Some items of local art are made from exotic materials such as Belize rosewood.
Museum Of Belizean Art MOBA
In 2024 Belize saw the opening of the long-awaited Museum Of Belizean Art MOBA. The museum is at the former Government House on Dame Minita Gordon Drive (formerly Regent Street) in Belize city. The old government house was the seat of power in colonial era British Honduras and also served as the residence of the governor. After Belize’s independence in 1981, the mansion served as a government office and later a house of culture. The sprawling complex is also used for official state functions.
MOBA is nestled inside the Government House and curated to tell the story of a country evolving in art as it moves through history.
Gilvano Swasey, Curator, MOBA: “This is a very proud moment for me as an artist. I’ve been doing art since 1995 and I’ve done many exhibits and I’ve participated in exhibits locally and internationally. But for the first time we have Belizean art on this scale meaning the diversity of the artist, the diversity of the work, the diversity of the stories and as someone had mentioned is that you have husband and wife team, you have Penn Cayetano and Ingrid Cayetano. You have Nelson Young and Nicole Gallego they were partners and so you also would see how art influences each other. There’s Benjamin Nicholas and Isiah Nicholas, father and son you see similarities in their style, their stories but also you would see differences in their time period.”
“So this is one of the best things that has happened to the visual arts and I encourage everyone to come and see it and we’re hoping to take it to a next level where we can use the grounds. This is a beautiful space. You imagine sculptures out here and little benches where you can sit down and do your little homework or just chill. This is prime property, we own the place so let’s make the best of it.”
A total of 68 different art pieces once hidden deep in the National Institute of Culture and History’s vault now have a home on the walls of MOBA at the Government House. It’s a renovated space designed for artists spanning decades and generations. From abstract to contemporary and modern art, each work that tells a story deserves to be marveled at. The items include rare paintings by Louis Belisle, Benjamin Nicholas, Michael Gordon, Michelle Perdomo, sculptures by George Gabb, Vilma Romero and others.
The MOBA opening and first exhibition was organised by Yasser Musa NICH advisor, with support from Belizean artist Gilvano Swasey. “As I look out on the audience, I see many of the artists whose works are represented in this first display. My respect to each of you for contributing to Belize’s creative and intellectual inheritance. I also offer my admiration and respect to those artists represented in the museum who have passed on; their work lives on as sources of inspiration and education for the many hundreds of artists who are not in the first show. I say that it is not our intention to develop a culture of exclusion or gatekeeping; just the opposite, we see this space as one of liberation.” – remarks by Francis Fonseca at MOBA opening.
In the heart of downtown Belize city MOBA is on the Caribbean Sea and directly opposite St. John’s Cathedral and well worth a visit. The Museum of Belizean Art opens from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with an entrance fee of US $10. for tourists and BZ $10 BZD, while children under 12 enter free.
Art Galleries Around Belize
BELIZE CITY
Image Factory
91 N. Front St.
501-223-1149
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5
This riverside gallery is the leading art gallery and center for up and coming artists in Belize. Many artists choose the Image Factory to launch their new works, be it a new painting, exhibition, book, music album or poetry. Located on a busy street that leads to the Tourism Village, the Image Factory was established by Palestinian descent Yasser Musa and is at the center of Belize‘s art and cultural scene.
Belizean Handicraft Market Place
2 S. Park in Fort George area opposite Memorial Park
501-223-3627
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8-5, Sat. 8-4
Broad selection of 100% Belizean-made crafts.
BELMOPAN
Carolyn Carr and her husband John moved to Belize from Kansas many years ago. You can see some of her work here: https://www.carolyncarrbelize.com
Description of the work of art above by the artist Carolyn Carr. ” It is 12:00 at the bridge foot and everyone has somewhere to go. Few, if anyone at all is taking notice of the drama happening in the 1974 Volkswagen bus.In the Colonial era the ships arrived once a month laden with provisions ordered by the colony, shiny pots and pans, bolts of cloth, nails, whiskey, canned goods from Mother England. And Marley, the ubiquitous floor covering also known as linoleum. Shop keepers got word the day before that the ship was to dock so rushed to be the first to put plaques on store fronts announcing the new arrivals. Housewives knew that they must hurry to see what was available before it had been picked over and the best taken. As the one legged man makes his way across the street accustomed to all the time he needs, the driver of the blue bus, confused by all the congestion, the narrow bridge and the seeming disarray, fails to notice him. Her husband yells at her, causing her foot to mash the brake and her nerves to fray. Having just arrived with the intention of sharing with the people of Belize their love and good will, it would not do to injure one of their citizens.”
Art Box
Mile 46, Western Highway, just before reaching The City Of Belmopan from the direction of Belize City.
501-623-6129
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8-6
Large gift shop with wood carvings, jewelry and some paintings by Carolyn Carr, Manuel Gonzalez Daza and others.
CAYE CAULKER
Caribbean Colors Art Gallery
Front St.
501-206-0206 or 877-809-1659 https://www.facebook.com/CaribbeanColorsArtCafeCayeCaulker/
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8-5
Lee Vanderwalker’s gallery, cafe and gift shop has wearable art by Vanderwalker, along with Christmas ornaments, jewelry, jewelry boxes and tiles.
DANGRIGA
Garinagu Crafts and Art Gallery
46 Oak St. at Tubroose St.
501-522-2596
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30-6
Owner Francis Swaso, a Garifuna art and culture expert, offers handmade Garifuna drums, dolls, wood carvings and masks.
Pen Cayetano Studio Gallery
3 Aranda Crescent at Gallery St.
501-501-3156
Hours: 9-5 Tue.-Sat. (usually closing at Noon-2 for lunch); Sun. 9-Noon
Dangriga native Cayetano’s well-known paintings depict Garifuna culture and Punta Rock Music. You can also buy CDs from Cayetano’s band and needlework and other art by other members of the Cayetano family. Pen Cayetano’s art works show the history and culture of Belize and Central America, which includes the Garifuna, the World of Maya, the Creole, various noteworthy figures of Belize, and historical figures with African and Afro-Caribbean descent.
GALES POINT
Sugar Shack
Gales Point village next to Maroon Creole Drum School
501-603-6051
Jill Burgess sells art made from driftwood and bamboo.
MAYA CENTER
Maya Center Women’s Cooperative Crafts Store
Maya Center Village, Southern Highway
Hours: Daily 7:30-4:30
Baskets, slate carvings, masks, bowls, wood carvings and genuine Indian craft made by local Mopan women are sold at reasonable prices in this cooperative.
PLACENCIA
Lola’s Art
Seine Bight
501-601-1913
Hours: Daily 7-6
Lola Delgado displays and sells her own paintings of Garifuna women and Belizean seascapes, primitive but alluring.
Art ‘n Soul
South end of the Sidewalk, Placencia village
501-503-3088
Hours: Daily 9-6
Greta Leslie displays and sells her own work, together with that of Nelson Young, Lola Delgado, Omar Sierra and others.
Spectarte
Maya Beach, opposite Green Parrot
501-523-8019
Hours: Thu.-Tue. 10-6
Jenny Wildman’s gallery displays Belizean furniture, crafts, sculpture, textiles and art. A
PUNTA GORDA
Fajina Craft Center
Front St.
Hours: Usually open mornings of market days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday)
This cooperative run by the Ketchi and Mopan women sells baskets, slate carvings, textiles and embroidered items.
Maya Bags
Workshop at Airport Rd. near Tropic Air office at PG airstrip
Offers an array of hand-crafted products created by Maya women and designed for modern use. Stated mission is to empower Maya women as income earners and to support Maya female and male artisans. Maya women in eight Toledo villages create handbags, purses and other items that are sold in local shops and abroad.
SAN IGNACIO
Orange Gifts
Mile 60, Western Hwy.
501-824-2341
This roadside gift shop near San Ignacio has a wide selection of Belizean and Guatemalan crafts, including wood bowls, wood carvings, masks, and others. There also are Orange Gifts subsidairies in San Pedro and at the Ka’ana Resort in San Ignacio.
Garcia Sisters Tanah Maya Art Museum
Cristo Rey Rd., San Antonio, Cayo
501-669-4023
Hours: Daily 7-7
The Garcia sisters revived the Maya art of slate carvings, and many beautiful examples are on display and for sale here (most of the slate comes from the Mountain Pine Ridge) along with limestone statues.
Sak Tunich
Cristo Rey Rd., San Antonio, Cayo
501-606-7806
Hours: Daily 6-6
Brothers Jose and Javier Magana offer their slate carvings, limestone statues, wood carvings and ceramics.
SAN PEDRO
Belizean Arts
Barrier Reef Drive at Fido’s
501-226-3019
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-6
One of the oldest art galleries in Belize, established more than 20 years ago by Londoner Lyndsey Hackston, Belizean Arts today has the an extensive selection of art by Belizean and expat artists, with paintings by Walter Castillo, Pen Cayetano, Nelson Young, Leo Vasquez, Piva, Eduardo Garcia, Curvin Mitchell, Jorge Landero and others. The gallery also carries Latin art by Cuban and other Caribbean artists, along with ceramics, jewelry and other crafts.
Artesano
Buccaneer St.
501-226-2370
www.artesanobelize.com
Working with local artists, they combine their extraordinary talents with the latest technology to scan and reproduce their work on ceramic tiles, creating a unique and beautiful way to decorate homes.
C. Emmanuel Gallery
Coconut Dr., inside SunBreeze Hotel
501-226-2262
Hours: By appointment
Christopher Emmanuel, author of Secrets to Life and other self-help books, operates a small gallery selling his paintings of Maya and Garifuna life.
The Gallery of San Pedro Ltd.
San Pedro Town, Barrier Drive across the street from Fido’s behind the “Sail Away Cafe
Owner Jerry Lansing has a large collection of Belizean Arts, historic maps, hundreds of hammocks, great selection of wood and slate carvings and sculptures. One of the largest collections of masks in the country.
In addition to these galleries, gift shops at some Belize hotels and lodges sell Belize crafts and a limited amount of art. Among notable hotel gift shops with art and crafts are these:
As anyone can appreciate, Art Galleries in Belize are in constant movement. Artists are not the best businessmen or businesswomen. That is the raison d’être for the existence of Art Galleries.