Art in Paradise

On the first Thursday of each month, the streets of Christiansted come alive when gallery owners and represented artists display their best pieces to an enthusiastic crowd of visitors, local, and other artists. Now in its second season, Art Thursday was conceived and organized by gallery owners themselves, who wanted to "remind" the community - in a fun way - to support the thriving local art scene. The event has been successful in drawing a crowd since day one, when more than 125 people came out to participate in the start of a new tradition.

The many people flowing in and out of Jewelweed were enough to lure me in. Once inside, I immediately relaxed and my mood brightened with the color of the walls.  Beauty and creativity cover every inch of the store.

Anita Shultz is more than just the owner of Jewelweed. She is the store's talented artist, specializing in handmade jewelry that combines metalwork and unusual gemstones. Anita also seems to have a knack for painting. Several of her large canvases adorn the walls.

I heard two ladies speaking of a photography exhibit at Gallery Gia. Photography being one of my passions, I had to see the prints for myself. Lee Lashley's photos were exhibited proudly on the walls, some of his subjects staring intensely back at me. A touch on my arm startled me slightly, and a friends' smile released me from the photos' grasp. We philosophized for a while on how black and white photos can be so colorful. 

We wanted to support the galleries so we bought some note cards and hand made candles before moving on to the next venue, Maria Henle's Studio. Talent and a great eye for Caribbean light and color are exemplified in Maria's oil paintings and color etchings.  Her light and airy studio on company street provides the perfect exhibit space ofr her work.  We chatted with the artist for a while before heading downstairs for the next stop.

ib designs was our next stop. This jewelry studio is where you'll find artist/metalsmith Whealan Massicott's distinctive designs. Pieces of local pottery, or cheney, found mostly on and around old plantation ruins, have inspired a new creation for Whealan. These pieces of St. Croix's past are adorned in gold and silver bezels to create beautiful, one of a kind pieces.  His creations are also a great way for visitors to take back a piece of St. Croix.

As I walked around the corner, I heard lots of noise.  Upon investigation, I found it to be coming from Iona Skye Gallery and Studio where this month's featured artist was banging out the finishing touches on a stingray sculpture, part of his collection of marine and land creatures. Donald Gialanella's metal sculptures have a mysterious sense of movement. He noticed my fascination with the sculpture he was finishing and we introduced ourselves. He said he had been enjoying his visit to St. Croix and his guest stint at Iona Skye. “ I can't believe how nice the people are here, and how appreciative and supportive the Art Thursday goers have been.”

Upon entering the gallery I saw his sculptures everywhere, accenting the studio with geckos, barracudas, and even sharks. Iona Skye Gallery features contemporary hand made jewelry by owners Shauna Morrison and Carl Grundy, who have recently relocated their studio from Hawaii to St. Croix.

We browsed through the Danica Art Gallery, owned and operated by St. Croix born artist Danica David. David's talent is portrayed in original paintings, sculptures, prints, tiles and cards. Often she displays the works of her young students, impressing patrons with their skills.

The work in Mark Austin's Fine Art Gallery paints Caribbean life to a tee. His visions are hand painted on buckets, furniture, sculpture, canvas, and wood. The colors of the Caribbean water and sky are so realistic, the smiles on the children's faces so bright, it was as if I was at the same beach, tasting the same coconut water.

When I worked up an appetite, I headed out to one of the downtown Christiansted restaurants who participate in Art Thursday by offering specials and great prices to art goers. Beautiful art and then great food and drinks at great prices…what a fabulous way to spend a Thursday. I can't wait for next month!

What are the dates for Art Thursday? Click here to find out!