Held at the historic Fort Frederik on St. Croix, where Virgin Islands ancestors successfully demanded and won their freedom during the 1848 uprising, recognized as the second successful revolution to end slavery in the Western Hemisphere, the exhibition provides a space for reflection on the territory’s history and its continued impact on contemporary artistic expression.
This year’s exhibition, “Ancestral Memory and Caribbean Futures,” draws inspiration from artists who use ancestral and generational knowledge to guide the present and shape the future. Curated by Monica Marin, DPNR-DLAM territorial chief curator, the exhibition examines how cultural memory continues to shape contemporary Caribbean identity.
Marin said cultural expressions across the Virgin Islands – including dance, masquerade, storytelling, architecture, music and visual art – continue to reflect the enduring spirit of resistance and creativity passed down through generations. These African diasporic traditions remain vital, serving as living expressions of heritage that sustain community, inspire love and help envision a more just and equitable future.
The group exhibition commemorates the legacy of Emancipation while highlighting the work of Virgin Islands artists whose pieces explore themes of resistance, resilience and self-determination. Bringing together diverse and dynamic voices from across the territory, the exhibition reflects on the enduring impact of the Emancipation Uprising on Virgin Islanders’ identity, culture and collective memory.
Featured artists include Adrian Edwards, Danielle Kearns, Lucien Downes, Regina Kay, Victoria Rivera, Kanda Burgess, Therese Trudeau, Eliana Schuster Brown, Ziva Sanchez, Waldy Brodhurst, along with the cultural presentation Keeping Masquerade Traditions Alive.
Visitors to Fort Frederik Museum can also view the DPNR Virgin Islands Architecture Center exhibition, “When the Walls Answer,” which honors the late artist and architect Gerville Rene Larsen and living legend El’Roy Simmonds.
Both exhibitions will remain on display through the end of October and are open during regular museum hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The annual Emancipation exhibition invites residents and visitors alike to engage with the history of freedom while experiencing contemporary works that honor the past, celebrate the resilience of Virgin Islands culture and envision a more equitable future through art.
