Artists were generally pleased with sales at the 25th St. Croix Landmarks Society Starving Artists Day, even though attendance was light.
“Sales have been great compared to last year,” said Isabelle Picard, a local artist taking part in the sale. “I feel like there were less people, but they’re spending more money."
Picard was selling whimsical painted fish made from coconuts.
Long-standing participant Lea Ann Robson, from the C/C Stone Gems, said she did really well with sales. She said she ran out of her latest designs in Christmas ornaments made of sea glass, beads and twisted wire.
Wood-turner Rodger Nickell, a regular at the event, said sales were fine, but not what they have been in the past.
Joan Keenen, digital photographer from Shades of the Caribbean, said she did better this year than last.
“I think there would have been more people here if it hadn’t rained earlier,” Keenan said.
People may have decided to skip the annual outdoor event on the grounds at Estate Whim Museum in Frederiksted because it poured all morning. Dianne Butler, owner of Twin City Coffee and photographer, posted on Facebook at about 10 a.m. it was raining but it was dry under the tent set up at Whim where she was serving coffee.
About 60 Caribbean artists, jewelers, crafters and food vendors set up under a large tent and several smaller tents. For a few artists it was their first time displaying at Whim.
Artist Christa-Ann Molloy, displaying for the first time, said she was pleased she sold a few pieces.
“I did well considering there weren’t a lot of people here since other things were going on,” Molloy said.
Bale Kaza Amlak and Carlisle Kaza Amlak, from Renuatum Spa, sold their locally created therapeutic body products for the first time at the Starving Artists Day.
Another first-time seller at Whim was Jean Cowdery Kloss, jewelry designer at Beach Dreams. She said business was OK, but not fabulous. She said she enjoyed the venue and the music.
New this year were Christmas wreaths that Cass Mello designed using corks.
St. Croix Central High School National Art Honor Society students were selling artwork as a fundraiser for a trip to Puerto Rico.
Carey Guilbeau, local resident, said she loved attending sales events before the holidays.
“You see great creative things here that you don’t see in town,” Guilbeau said.
Main stage entertainment was Dimitri “Pikey” Copemann and the Renaissance Band. The Pearl B. Larsen Cultural Dancers and We Deh Yah Quadrille Cultural Dancers entertained people who shopped, ate at picnic tables or just relaxed in the shade.
The regular local food and drinks were on sale.
Keith “Deh Cakeman” James won first place in the sweet bread competition. Activities throughout the day included an Estate Whim Museum open house and self-guided tours of the museum grounds. There was a farmers’ market and old-fashioned games and activities for children.
Proceeds from Starving Artists Day will benefit Landmarks’ Research Library & Archives, museums and education programs.
