Private Art & Culture Tour: Intimate Experience with Local Artists in Tortola, Virgin Islands

Immerse yourself in the vibrant art and culture of Tortola, Virgin Islands. Join a private tour guided by local artists, with the option to participate in bread baking and clay play. Discover unique local artwork and support the talented artisans of the Virgin Islands.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Jenesis Studios - Local Artist Reuben Vanterpool takes you on a cultural journey guiding you through his garden, museum/gallery & traditional oven bakery. Here you can get a taste of Virgin Island life before the 1960’s. The facility also includes a mini gift shop & snacket.
    Mr. Vanterpool is one of the most prominent Artist in the Virgin Is….
What's Included
  • Customizable seating arrangement
  • Onboard air conditioning
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Binoculars provided for bird watching
What's Not Included
  • Added Option at Jenesis Studio - Bread Baking for $20(must book 2 days in advance for this option)
  • Added Option - Clay play for $12 at Pottery Garden
Additional Information

This is the sole art-focused excursion available in Tortola, spotlighting accomplished, active artists and their creations. The small, private groups ensure a deeply personal and interactive experience, encouraging a rapport with the artist-guides. Additional choices of bread baking (Booking required 2 days prior for bread baking) and clay activities…

Location
164 Waterfront Dr
Waterfront Drive
At the parking lot of the Road Town Jetty/Ferry dock
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(23 Ratings)
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Davidmhaverhill_ma
Apr 12, 2025
A "must do" tour in Tortola - We stopped in Tortola on a cruise and wanted to do something other than going to a beach or following the crowd. This tour was OUTSTANDING!!!! Karl is a very personable young man. As we drove around the island he told us of its history. We stopped at Jenesis Studios, met the Vanterpools and toured their garden. Then we stopped at Karl's Pottery Garden and he had me sitting at the potter's wheel making a vase. Lunch at a beachside restaurant, then tour the island on the way back to the ship. If you are looking for a different, fun and memorable experience in Tortola, this is it!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrew_s
Apr 10, 2025
Great experience! Karl... - Great experience! Karl was a great tour guide explaining the history of Tortola and demonstrating pottery making at his studio. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Paul_m
Mar 22, 2025
Lovely Tortola insights - Karl is a conscientious tour guide -he shared lots of information about Road Town and our visit at the museum and gardens ( with their gracious owners) provided a glimpse into the virgin island culture of the 50s and 60s. The pottery studio time is special -Karl provided a clear explanation and demonstration of differences in earthenware, stoneware and porcelain and then demonstrations on the wheel about how to shape clay. A highlight was the chance to shape a pot for future glazing and shipping to our home. I would highly recommend you consider this tour option -we learned a lot and enjoyed his hospitality and pride in his craft and the islands.
Review provided by Viator
Tamisc7569vk
Jan 22, 2025
Loved this tour! - We did the art and culture tour when we were in Tortola on a cruise ship stop. Karl was a great guide - loved the art work and garden at the Vanderpool’s studio and home. We enjoyed visiting his studio and learning how to use the pottery wheel — we are having our creations sent to us once they are painted and fired - can’t wait for the finished products to arrive— if you have a stop or are staying in Tortola I highly recommend this tour!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joel_h
Jan 22, 2025
Great Tour! - Taking this as a private tour enhanced the experience. Karl combined a tour of the island with a terrific pottery experience.
Review provided by Viator
Carl_n
Dec 4, 2024
Great culture and art tour of Tortola - If you get tired of just going to beaches, this tour is perfect. Karl was a spectacular driver and tour guide. He is highly knowledgeable about the history and culture of this region and gave us a real sense of how people live here. We visited a museum-garden where we saw art and objects which depict how life was during the plantation age and immediately after. We also saw a curated garden which exhibited various plants and their practical uses. Also we had a chance to see spectacular vistas of the island and then visited Karl’s pottery workshop. He is a master pottery artist. All in all it was a great experience and I would. Highly recommend it.
Review provided by Viator
B429vjmichaelc
May 17, 2024
Just do it! - Karl is an excellent tour guide and true clay “sculpting” guru! Our visit with Rueben and Olivia was delightfully educational and very interesting learning BVI culture, history, art and agriculture. Then, then sight seeing tour thru the island (with a flamingo 🦩 😀) finishing up with a clay turning lesson at Karl’s studio. My new wife was a natural! This tour was a fabulous day well spent!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nikki_s
Apr 17, 2024
Art in the mountains ❤️ - The experience with Karl as a whole was great. Karl has a great love of art and pottery and his vibe was pleasant. He took me to the art history of Reuben Vanterpool which had brilliant oil on canvas art showcasing life on the Island as he grew up. Then I went to Karl’s pottery garden to learn about his pottery career and to make a piece myself. It made for a beautiful birthday experience!
Review provided by Viator
Y53ucalisonb
Feb 5, 2024
Enjoy authentic Tortola ! - Karl Burnett picked us up on time at our resort in a recent model air conditioned van. He is courteous and a careful driver so we immediately felt in good hands. Started off by visiting the Pottery Garden Studio and Gallery and was amazed at the many beautiful pots and sculptures that he and his students have created! The time flew by learning about clay and ceramics and trying our hand. He has 4 pottery wheels, one huge wood fire kiln, a small gas kiln and an electric kiln. We purchased some of his mugs. The grounds are a lovely shaded area to bring a picnic lunch and only a few minutes away from a terrific swimming beach with surfing instruction. We wanted to explore the island and drove the ridge road with many beautiful vistas to the Rum Distillery at Cane Garden Bay for a fun and inexpensive visit with rum tasting! Next was a tiny local sea shell museum all the while Karl tells us about the island history and a few his experiences growing up in a large extended family. We stopped frequently for photographs and to check out local Caribbean food take aways. We felt connected and learned lots from this young professional local tour guide. Highly recommend Karl for your tour of Tortola!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Linda_g
Dec 7, 2023
What a wonderful day! - The entire existence was Excellent! From the history shared while driving, to meeting the Vanderpools and seeing their incredible dioramas of life on Tortola, to the beautiful artwork, to their garden that is truly a labor of love... and then having Karl share with us his passion of pottery and getting the opportunity to get our own hands messy in the pottery wheel... a truly special and blessed day!
Review provided by Viator
From $150
up to 7 guests
2 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).