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.

From the beginning the gallery looked different from what traditional art lovers expect. The monumental building made it possible to unconsciously showcase the building itself as part of the exhibitions — no white walls, no air-conditioned closed spaces, but a welcoming, accessible environment where art lovers felt at ease.

The first mention of Kas di Alma Blou appeared in the book Dutch Caribbean Art by Addie Martis and Jennifer Smit (2002). Notably, the gallery was never mentioned in Curaçao Classics, Visual Art (2010) by Jennifer Smit and Felix de Rooy — illustrating how difficult the road was to be accepted as a leading gallery promoting local art on the island.