Lusette Verboom
During a sabbatical year, sailing in the Caribbean, I learned to appreciate local crafts done by the island inhabitants.
Returning to Curaçao in 1991, I decided to start my own my local souvenir shop, catering only to cruise tourists at the Westwerf. As a speech therapist I didn’t know much about art, but thankfully I had my husband as teacher of fine Art to show me the way. After 5 years of making my own souvenirs and selling work of other artisans, together with my husband we made a big decision and moved to a historical building along the waterfront in Otrobanda, where we started Kas di Alma Blou, Gallery & Giftshop in 1996.
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Kas di Alma Blou
In 1996, Kas di Alma Blou Gallery & Gift Shop opened its doors at De Rouvilleweg 69 in Otrobanda.
At that time, Curaçao was lacking a gallery or art dealer promoting local artists and artisans. Curaçao art was a second-rate affair that suffered from an inferiority complex. Creating a platform for local art became a priority — original, authentic, and rooted in local culture.
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Gallery Alma Blou
In 2005, the gallery moved to its permanent location at Landhuis Habaai, built in 1750.
Expanding the gallery space created the possibility to represent even more artists and organize exhibitions and events of cultural value. Land house Habaai became a meeting place where artists and visitors regularly encountered each other.
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Arts & Craft
Gallery Alma Blou began in 1991 as Spanta Para, a small souvenir shop on the waterfront at Westwerf.
From the start, it offered a carefully chosen selection of handmade objects that reflected Curaçao’s creative traditions. Several makers who first presented craft-based work through the gallery later developed into recognized artists in their own right. In this sense, the gallery’s curatorial approach honors handmade work as a living practice shaped by sustainability, ethical making, and knowledge.
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