In the Virgin Islands, our culture doesn’t live only in books or museums—it lives on our walls. Across Tortola and the sister islands, vibrant murals tell the story of who we are as a people. They remind us of where we came from, what we’ve overcome, and all that we continue to celebrate. Every brushstroke carries memory and meaning, turning concrete into a canvas of identity.
The Ridge Road in Fahie Hill displays twenty-three inked panels forming an open-air museum of the island’s past. Local artist Reuben Vanterpool, known for his scenes of traditional life, led the project and was supported by fellow artists Dean “Ghost” Smith, Cedric Turnbull, Quito Rhymer, Pearl Friday, Thor Downing, and Garth Hewlette, who joined him. Together, they captured the everyday beauty of a simpler time—donkeys on trails, bread baking in coal pots, and villagers working under the sun.
Farther west, on the north shore of Tortola, stands a massive mural by Franklin Hodge at Zion Hill. Towering nearly twenty feet high, it celebrates the rhythms of daily island life—boat building, women balancing bread baskets, men weaving fish pots. Standing before it feels like stepping into a cherished memory, painted with pride and love.
At the eastern end of Tortola, two murals depict the churches, early schools, animals, and tools that sustained generations back to the 1800s—a moving reminder of resilience, freedom, and faith.
In Carrot Bay, artist Kezzia Jones has left her own bright mark outside D’Coal Pot Restaurant. Her mural radiates the colours of the sea and mountains, celebrating the heart of her community. Locals call it a love letter to home—a reminder that art belongs to everyone.
The spirit of creativity continues through initiatives like Creative Waves, which has brought new life to public spaces with murals at the BVI Ports, the Wheatley Wall, and the Road Town Jetty. Artists like Tia Modeste, Via Donovan, and Simond Llewellyn, and other emerging talents are carrying the torch, showing that the BVI’s artistic pulse is as strong as ever.
Across the waters on Virgin Gorda, community murals at the Recreation Grounds bring together students and local artists to paint scenes of island pride—from The Baths to portraits of leaders who shaped our story. It’s a space where colour, culture, and connection come alive.
Every mural across the Virgin Islands is a chapter in one long, beautiful story. You might pass one every day without realizing the history and heart behind it. So slow down, look closely, and let the walls speak. They remember our laughter, our struggles, our ancestors, and our dreams for tomorrow.
In the BVI, art is not confined to galleries—it lives among us. Our walls tell our stories, and through them, we remember who we are.
