Meet Jill Walker
For more than sixty years, Jill Walker captured the heart and soul of Barbados through her paintings, drawings and designs.
Her work celebrated the island's people, architecture, landscapes and everyday life, helping shape the visual identity of a young nation. She painted chattel houses, plantation houses, markets, gardens, flora and fauna, and the people who lived among them.
Awarded both the Barbados Centennial Honour and Barbados Jubilee Honour, Jill leaves an extraordinary artistic legacy. The Centre will ensure her work continues to educate, inspire and celebrate Barbados for generations to come.
Jill Walker made an outstanding contribution to Barbados through her artwork and publications and is regarded by many as a national treasure.
Welches Plantation
Welches Plantation was Jill's home, studio and creative sanctuary. The Centre will preserve this unique historic estate while opening it as an inspiring destination where visitors can experience Jill's artwork in the place where it was created.
Alongside the house and studio, visitors will discover beautiful gardens rich in Barbadian flora and fauna, creating a peaceful green oasis.
Our Vision
The Jill Walker Centre for Visual Arts will transform Jill Walker's home and studio at Welches Plantation into a world-class centre where art, heritage and nature come together to celebrate Barbadian creativity.
It will be a place where artists create, children learn, visitors explore and communities connect, preserving the unique character of Welches while inspiring future generations.
As Barbados continues to evolve, Welches remains a rare sanctuary where art, heritage and nature exist as one. Together, we can preserve this irreplaceable legacy for generations to come.
Geoffrey M. Ramsey, President, Barbados National Trust
Bringing the Vision to Life
The Centre will be delivered through a carefully planned phased approach. Every phase has been designed to protect the unique atmosphere of Welches while creating an inspiring destination where creativity can thrive.
The Barbados National Trust's agreement to purchase the property is valid only until 31 December 2026. Funding for Phase One must be secured before this deadline.
Phase One
BBD 6.64 million
Purchase the property and open the Main House, Jill's Studio, gardens and exhibition spaces while welcoming visitors, artists, education and community programmes.
Phase Two
BBD 0.86 million
Expand visitor facilities with a cafe, retail space and enhanced gardens.
Phase Three
BBD 1.95 million
Create dedicated artist studios, workshop spaces, exhibitions and artist residencies.
Building Partnerships That Last
Every secondary school consulted has expressed interest in using the Centre as a learning resource, not only for art but for history, heritage, culture and environmental education. As one education partner observed: "There is no other place in Barbados like this."
In partnership with:
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss how you or your organisation can be part of this journey.