Biography of 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. I was visualizing a platform for our local artists and artisans as well where they could present their work through individual exhibitions and day-to-day presentations of the locally made handcraft.

At that time, the public that visited art exhibitions, but also the more well-known artists, were limited to a certain group of our population. Visual art was not embedded in the cultural heritage of our local community. It took me time to find my way into the local art scene of Curaçao.

10 years later, in 2005, my husband and I made a commitment to art and decided to buy one of the most beautiful land houses on the island. This meant choosing a new beginning and taking as big a risk as it was when we started renting 10 years before. Kas di Alma Blou became Gallery Alma Blou.

Land house Habaai, built in 1750, was a completely abandoned old building. But by moving to this spacious historical environment, we had the possibility to represent even more artists and organize different exhibitions and events of cultural value.

One of the most impressive exhibitions was in 2012 by the Surinam artist George Struikelblok. He brought with him his dans group, The Santa Buday Dance Company, on which he applied the same patterns of body paint to bland into his paintings. But also, the presentation of the book of Yubi Kirindongo, Rebel in Art and Soul, with an exhibition of his work and ‘kachú players’ emerging from the dark was very emotional.

I came to realize that what I like most and at the same time the most challenging part of being a gallerist are the artists. Each of them is unique in their way of being and creating. I love this dynamic that enriches my way of seeing the world and dealing with issues that require flexibility.

I treasure the bond I created through the years with my clients and art lovers.

What started as a dream in 1991 developed in me becoming a curator and art appreciator of local art and artists. This created a solid environment in which local art became part of our cultural heritage. Gallery Alma Blou closed its doors in 2023, but the local art is there to stay.