CLICK HERE FOR OUR CURRENT DESIGNS

Sloop Jones is an art studio specializing in hand painted textiles.
The inspiration for Sloop Jones came while traveling through Guatemala. Terry McKoy recalls, "I was struck by the vivid colors of the Mayan Indians, and their
contrast with my grey suit, white shirt, and black shoes. Theirs' was a life full of color. The color in my life was limited to a sliver of silk (a tie)."

In 1989 Terry McKoy and Barbara Alperen moved to the Virgin Islands looking for a place for their art studio. At the easternmost corner of St. John, in a quiet bay, off the Caribbean Sea, they created Sloop Jones art studio and tropical gardens.
Since then they have been working together creating patterns and designs inspired by their tropical garden ,the Caribbean Sea, and the island of St.John. Their patterns are applied to clothing , rugs and wall hangings. They started with t-shirts, and gradually developed a product line of over 30 garments, and rugs . In 1993 they introduced handpainted cotton sweaters, which has become their main product line. In addition to the 6 different styles of sweaters, they paint mens' linen shirts, linen vests, shorts, and a variety of long and short dresses. Each garment is individually painted using a palette of 6 to 12 colors. The result is a piece of wearable art with color blends and depth unavailable in screen printing or other mechanical processes.

The rugs and wall hangings are custom creations, based on the color scheme of a clients' house or room.

Bright colors, playful images, and graphic patterns have made Sloop Jones popular with visitors and residents of St. John. The clothes are fun to wear, and wash beautifully. People often comment that the colors lift their spirits. Many customers have a summer wardrobe comprised almost entirely of Sloop Jones garments.

What People Say About Sloop Jones Clothes:

  • "my favorite clothes"
  • "colorful, comfortable clothing"
  • "it's like wearing a piece of art"
  • "the colors make me feel so happy"
  • "after 10 years, they are still bright"
  • "I travel with an empty suitcase....
      so I can fill it with Sloop Jones"
  • "they brighten up rainy days"
  • "my summer wardrobe"
  • "fun to look at"
  • "the best present"
  • "They are 'Island Fancy'"
  • "always good quality"
  • "each year I by another piece"

Sloop Jones clothing is sold in a limited number of boutiques and resorts in the Caribbean and the United States.
For a location near you write to:
Sloop Jones
Hansen Bay
St. John, USVI
00830
E-mail: sjones@islands.vi
Telephone: 340-779-4001
Fax: 340-693-5624

 To see other artists who work on fabric go to   www.surfacedesign.org.
Information Services Accommodations What's To Do Weddings
Relocating Photos Made on St. John E-mail Home