Gilly Gobinet’s Art Gallery in Antigua: A Colorful Encounter with Caribbean Creativity

Kandinsky once said,
“if the artist has outer
and inner eyes for nature,
nature rewards him
by giving him inspiration” .
Stepping into Gilly Gobinet’s
art gallery feels
exactly this way.

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Entering Gilly Gobinet’s gallery feels like entering a different universe. Remember when Alice landed in Wonderland and everything that suddenly surrounded her was absolutely unique? Well this is kind of how I felt when I arrived at Gilly’s place. From the entrance, one can feel that her atelier and home is an extension of her, her passions, her personality and her way of living.

Art flows in every corner of her beautifully located house, including not only her art pieces, but also her different collections of blue glass, original objects and other things that bring her joy. This blog post will give you a glimpse into her gallery as well as all the practical information, so you can visit it during your Antigua stay. Trust me, it is totally worth it!

Art, Color & Serendipity in Antigua

During our recent trip to Antigua, we stayed 4 nights in the neighbourhood of Needs Must Circle, in Fitches Creek (10 minutes away from the airport). This peaceful area is located in the north-east of the island and features lovely houses, colorful gardens and the beautiful St. George’s church. As we were first driving to our Airbnb, we kept seeing signs of Gilly Gobinet’s gallery on the road. Funny enough, we later found out that it was located a few metres away from our apartment. So we thought that it would be great to schedule a visit before we left Antigua.

We contacted Gilly through Whatsapp and she was kind enough to open the doors of her art gallery for us on a Saturday afternoon. Long story short, we decided to come back again the next morning to enjoy everything under the daylight. My friend Jemima and I were amazed at how special her place is, and I hope my words and my photographs will be able to tell how much I appreciated this visit.

Before explaining in detail what to expect from visiting Gilly’s gallery, let me introduce her. Originally from England, Gilly has always had an interest in expression through different art mediums. She finished her studies in Biological Sciences and worked in nature conservation and public health before moving to Antigua with her family. Once on the island, she transitioned to full-time painting while raising three children. She has since then never come back to her old career and finds herself the happiest when painting.

Gilly’s works are primarily in acrylic and watercolor, mixing figurative and abstract compositions. Her art is deeply inspired by her Caribbean surroundings, including elements like the sea, tropical plants, animals, sailing and local architecture. One of her main inspirations being native flora and fauna, she has produced several nature-themed series featuring pineapples, pelicans, egrets, turtles and hummingbirds. Apart from her gallery, her art has appeared in exhibitions across the Caribbean and Venezuela. Thanks to her unique style and her strong focus on Caribbean identity, Gilly has achieved international recognition.

Her gallery is an inspiring and magical place, where every corner is impregnated by her creative essence. Her beautiful art pieces, mixed with objects from her various collections, as well as the omnipresence of plants and birds create a symphony that expresses her unique creative universe. Every traveler will enjoy this visit, taking the time to savor every detail and exploring how Gilly mixes her home, her gallery and her atelier in one single space.

An ART Gallery Full of Light

From the outside, if we don’t look at the Gallery sign, it might seem just like another cute house with a lush garden. One could never imagine how much beauty and magic lives inside. But as soon as you open the door, you’ll start noticing little details that form the unique soul of this place. A beautiful bougainvillea welcomes you into Gilly’s garden, where she’s got several different spaces to showcase some art pieces and some objects from her collections.

We loved the mix of her acrylic paints, pottery pieces, and other unexpected supports such as these beautiful cooking pans! If I can give you a recommendation, it is to take your time and enjoy every detail. You might be surprised to discover new objects in a corner that you’d already looked at!

One of Gilly’s favorite objects are blue glass pieces. You will find them sprinkled all around the house, from “deformed” bottles, to starfish holders, or even as mobiles hanging from the ceiling.

Her lovely canvases stand out and at the same time, blend in with the decor. Her gallery is a true symbiose of nature’s art and human’s art. One can’t help but feel inspired by staring at these beautiful birds, surrounded by leaves, framed by her garden’s plants. Her creative universe is an extension of the elements surrounding her. 

From the garden we can access the house interior. On the right side, there is an entrance that connects directly to the kitchen. On the left side, another door leads to the living room and other areas of the house. Every room is decorated with her original paintings, some of them quite large and others rather small. Although there are a lot of colors mixed, one doesn’t feel overwhelmed. Gilly has managed to find a balance between her art and her decoration.

Right behind the living room lies the other part of the garden, featuring a chillout space and a swimming pool. As if this wasn’t already exceptional, the garden also has views of the bay.

Gilly’s gallery is also home to small birds, who love to spend time especially in the garden area. One can come back to the house through the living room, where it’s possible to access the other side of the gallery. During our visit, this is where Gilly was painting her last canvas. What an honor to experience her creative process in real life!

In this gallery, every wall and every corner are bathed in a warm and inspiring atmosphere. From the lush entrance, to the colorful living room or the cozy swimming pool area, Gilly Gobinet’s gallery is a place that will leave you speechless. Her art and her stories will delight those who not only appreciate creativity, but also enjoy traveling and exploring other places.

Meeting the Artist

During our visit we had the pleasure to speak to Gilly. As I mentioned earlier in this post, we first met her the day before our departure. She agreed to let us visit her gallery at 5 pm, however we realised it had gotten too dark to appreciate everything and specially to take photographs. She was kind enough to invite us to come back on the next day, which we certainly did! Our flight was leaving at 1 pm, so we programmed our visit for 8 am.

Gilly welcomed us in her garden, as she was getting ready for a painting session. As we were the only visitors, we had enough time to discuss her art and her travels. That’s how we found out that Gilly has traveled to many islands in the Caribbean, which has led to her creating a wide variety of works, including books. For instance, she has published these two lovely illustrated books with Caribbean recipes. One is dedicated to food, and the other to cocktails, and they both feature delicious recipes from places like St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Kitts… and of course, Antigua. I can’t wait to try some of these!

Something I really appreciated was Gilly’s calm and wise energy. It feels like the vibes of nature run through her veins, making it very pleasant to talk to her. I certainly enjoyed every story she told us, especially about her trips to other islands and how that impacted her work.

By now you must have already understood to what extent nature is important for her creations. Local flora and fauna are the source of her inspiration, which then she adapts to different styles, sometimes more abstract, and other times more realistic. Some of the most recurrent elements are hummingbirds, plants, marine life and Caribbean architecture. Visitors can, if they wish, buy her paintings as well as other works while visiting the gallery. Otherwise, Gilly also sells her creations on her website and she ships internationally.

Caribbean Spirit on Canvas

Walking through Gilly’s gallery is an unparalleled experience, her work instantly draws you in with her vibrant use of color and fluid brushwork. Every piece reflects the Caribbean spirit, balancing bold compositions with soft, almost dreamlike designs. Always rooted in nature and island life, she mixes realism and abstraction. For instance, her acrylics tend to have a vibrant impact, whereas her watercolors give airy softness vibes.

Hibiscus, hummingbirds and local architecture appear often, which represent joy, energy and the tropics lifestyle. I was captivated by her series on Antiguan houses, each piece telling the story of this island, its landscape, its rhythm and light.

Beyond Caribbean life paintings, Gilly also accepts commissions of pet portraits. As a dog lover, she loves capturing the souls of people’s furry friends. She usually works from pictures and ships her work anywhere in the world.

Visitors can also enjoy flipping through her illustrated books on Caribbean cooking and cocktails. They’re works of art themselves, including Gilly’s illustrations of the different islands’ food and drinks featured in it.

Warmth, authenticity, lightness and creativity are just some of the elements visitors can experience while exploring her gallery. What struck me the most was definitely how her art captures the feeling of Antigua: relaxed, colorful and bathed in quiet energy. And of course, as a cat lover myself, I adored her paintings starring cute kittens in the middle of Caribbean landscapes.

Funny side note, the day before visiting Gilly’s gallery I bought a printed version of a painting I fell in love with, without knowing she was the artist behind it! Now I can’t wait to hang it in our new home next to my favorite travel souvenirs.

Why You Should Visit this art galleRY

You’re spending your holidays in Antigua… and you suddenly find out about Gilly’s gallery. It seems like an interesting place but you’re not sure you’ll have enough time. Well, I would advise you to adapt your program to fit this visit in your Antigua stay! Let me tell you why I think this visit is totally worth it.

Unlike large galleries, here you’re welcomed personally by Gilly herself, who will be more than happy to share stories and inspirations behind her work. It’s not every day you get to meet the artist, ask questions and connect with the creative soul behind the work. So that already is a great reason.

Moreover, what makes this visit truly special is the intimacy of the space. It’s not just a gallery, it’s the artist’s home and studio. And let me tell you, there’s something magical about being surrounded by art in the very place where it’s created.

The gallery’s atmosphere is warm and deeply personal. At moments it feels more like visiting a friend than browsing a gallery. It’s ideal for art lovers, creative souls, or anyone wishing to take home a meaningful piece of Antigua. Travelers who enjoy slow moments and authentic encounters will leave this place feeling inspired and alive. What a great memory to bring back home from your trip to Antigua, right?

Personally, this visit reminded me how powerful art can be when it’s rooted in passion. I walked away feeling lighter and deeply inspired, and it was absolutely one of the highlights of my trip, not just because of the art, but because of the human connection behind it.

Practical Info

Finding Gilly Gobinet’s gallery is very easy thanks to all the signs strategically placed on the road. Located in the area of Needs Must Circle, in Fitches Creek (10 min. away from the airport), the art gallery sits right by the bay. Here’s the exact location.

It’s usually open from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 1 pm. Contact Gilly in advance to set an appointment. She’s available on Whatsapp +1(268) 464 6084 or by email gillygobinet@me.com and replies very quickly.

If you’re interested in purchasing her work, she will be more than happy to give you more information during your visit. Other than that, she also sells her art online through her website, in case you make up your mind after the visit. She is used to shipping internationally, so either way she will pack it carefully so it arrives safely at your home.

One last recommendation, take your time during your visit to the gallery. There are lots of details and you don’t wanna miss them! It goes without saying that you should stay respectful, as this is not only her creative space, but also where she lives. Staying polite and respecting her privacy will guarantee a nice experience for everyone!

Art as a Window into the Soul of Antigua

Visiting Gilly’s art gallery was more than an art stop. It was a reminder to slow down and truly see, a moment of calm and connection in the midst of adventure. Her paintings don’t just depict the colorful Caribbean lifestyle, they make you FEEL it. The warmth, wisdom and stories behind her canvases are a true inspiration.

In this fast-paced world, when we travel we often chase the big sights. But it’s actually the small, personal moments like this that we end up cherishing the most. Taking time to experience art is an act of presence and a perfect way to understand a place’s rhythm and soul. So if you travel to Antigua, don’t miss the chance to visit Gilly Gobinet’s art gallery. It’s a true island gem, and supporting local artists is one of the most meaningful ways to honor the places we explore.

You can follow Gilly on Instagram and browse her website to bring a piece of the Caribbean into your daily life. And of course, if her work touches you like it did me, share it. Art is meant to be seen, felt and passed on!

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Happy traveling!