Ask a Conservator Day 2025: Q&A On November 4, 2025, the National Gallery of Jamaica (NGJ) participated in the annual, internationally recognised #AskAConservatorDay via an Instagram Live event. Established and championed by the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), the initiative commemorates the November 4, 1966 flooding in Florence, Italy, while highlighting the critical—often unseen—work undertaken by […]

Notice to Artists in Western Jamaica: Impact Survey The National Gallery of Jamaica, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and UNESCO, is conducting an information-gathering exercise to document and analyse the impact of Hurricane Melissa on artists, cultural practitioners, art institutions, studios, and community arts spaces in Western Jamaica. The findings will help identify key needs, risks, and […]

A Message for the New Year As we move into 2026, we approach the New Year with strength, resilience, and hope. The year 2025 brought significant challenges and upheaval, and in the months ahead we remain committed to recovering, rebuilding, and emerging stronger than before. May 2026 be a year of healing for Jamaica and our cultural community.

Season’s Greetings from the NGJ Season’s Greetings to All, from the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of the National Gallery of Jamaica. As we enter this holiday season, cherishing those we hold dear, we continue to stand in support of those affected by the passing of hurricane Melissa. We offer assistance where we can, in the ways that we […]

Holiday Hours This holiday season, the National Gallery of Jamaica will be closed on the following dates in observance of public holidays. Regular opening hours will be maintained outside of these dates.

In Memoriam: Mazola Wa Mwashighadi (1964 – 2025) The Board of Directors, Management and Staff of the National Gallery of Jamaica are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Mazola Wa Mwashighadi (Patrick Mwashighadi Mazola), a multi-disciplinary artist based in Treasure Beach, Jamaica. His expansive practice encompassed sculpture, painting, collage, jewellery, textiles, and more. Born in Taitā-Taveta District, Kenya, Mazola descended […]

Phishing Warning The National Gallery of Jamaica (NGJ) has been made aware of artists being contacted via email with offers of exhibition opportunities and the sale of artworks.  Please note that official communications from the NGJ will only be sent from info@natgalja.org.jm, educate@natgalja.org.jm, or other email addresses using the @natgalja.org.jm domain. Additionally, the NGJ operates as an […]

Join Our Hurricane Melissa Donation Drive The National Gallery of Jamaica (NGJ), through its western branch, National Gallery West (NGW), is launching a donation drive to assist persons in Montego Bay who have been affected by Hurricane Melissa. Western Jamaica was among the hardest hit by the storm, and Montego Bay, St. James has experienced extensive damage. The Montego Bay Cultural […]

Phone Lines Have Been Restored We’re pleased to share that the National Gallery of Jamaica’s phone lines have been fully restored. You may now contact us through our regular landline numbers during normal business hours. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

NGJ Re-Opening + Phone Lines Down The National Gallery of Jamaica will resume its regular opening hours tomorrow, Tuesday, November 4, 2025. We look forward to welcoming you back safely. Please also note that following the passage of hurricane Melissa the phone lines are currently down.

Closure Notice – Friday, October 24, 2025 The National Gallery of Jamaica will be closed at 2:00 p.m. today, Friday, October 24, 2025, due to the hurricane watch and current weather forecasts for Jamaica. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause as we prioritise the safety of our staff and visitors. Updates regarding reopening will be shared once conditions are safe […]

Happy National Heroes’ Day On this National Heroes Day, the National Gallery of Jamaica joins the nation in honouring the remarkable legacy of our National Heroes, whose courage, sacrifice, and determination shaped the foundations of our freedom and identity. May this day inspire us to uphold their vision, embrace our heritage and contribute to the betterment of Jamaica.

Holiday Closure: National Heroes’ Day The National Gallery of Jamaica wishes to advise that its offices will be closed on Monday, October 20, 2025, in observance of National Heroes Day.

Artist Talk: Reflections on Our Heritage: Tradition, Spirituality, Emancipation Following the opening of its most recent exhibition, One Nation, New Symbols, the National Gallery of Jamaica (NGJ), a division of the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ), will host a related artist talk on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. The talk, titled Reflections on Our Heritage: Tradition, Spirituality, Emancipation, will be moderated by Reverend […]

Save the Date: Reflections on Our Heritage Join us this Saturday, October 18, 2025, as we celebrate Heritage Week with a One Nation, New Symbols artist talk titled “Reflections on Our Heritage: Tradition, Spirituality, Emancipation.” The discussion will feature artists Christopher Harris and Katrina Coombs, both of whom are featured in the exhibition, and will be moderated by Rev. Marvia Lawes. Stay […]

“One Nation, New Symbols” to Open on September 28, 2025 The National Gallery of Jamaica (NGJ), a division of the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ), will open its upcoming exhibition, One Nation, New Symbols, on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. with entertainment provided by Fatalic Sounds. The exhibition will remain on view until March 29, 2026, inviting audiences to engage with fresh perspectives on […]

Election Day Opening Hours On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the National Gallery of Jamaica will close to the public at 12 noon to allow staff members to vote in the Jamaica General Elections. Regular opening hours will resume on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

Closure Notice The National Gallery of Jamaica will be closed on August 29, 2025 due to an unforeseen event.

Happy Independence Day Happy Independence Day from the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of the National Gallery of Jamaica. As we honour 63 years of freedom, we wear our colours with pride, carrying forward the strength of our past and the promise of our future, embracing the theme “Be Proud, Be Bold in Black, Green, and Gold”.

Emancipation Day Emancipation: Respect the Journey, Embrace the Legacy Today we commemorate Emancipation – a pivotal crossing in Jamaica’s history which initially began with the Apprenticeship in 1834, then culminated in “full free” of our enslaved ancestors in 1838. With the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation in King’s Square, Spanish Town on August 1, 1834, slavery was […]

Holiday Closures The National Gallery of Jamaica wishes to announce that it will be closed on Friday, August 1, 2025  and Wednesday, August 6, 2025 in observance of Emancipation Day and Independence Day respectively.

The 30th Art of Reggae Exhibition Auction Catalogue The 30th Art of Reggae Exhibition Charity Auction is scheduled for Sunday, July 13, 2025, with registration beginning at 11:30 AM and formal proceedings starting at 12 noon. Entertainment will be provided by the Alpha School of Music’s Mutt and Jeff Sound System, and all proceeds will be donated to the institution. You can download […]

The 30th Art of Reggae Exhibition Closes with a Charity Auction The National Gallery of Jamaica (NGJ), in collaboration with the International Reggae Poster Contest (IRPC), is pleased to announce the upcoming Art of Reggae Exhibition Auction, taking place on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at 12 Ocean Boulevard, Downtown Kingston. The auction will begin at 12 noon, led by auctioneer Douglas Reid, artist and owner of […]