Local Art Local Art

Sept 23 Aug 23

Debbie Sun Barbara Gelardi

Barbara Gelardi’s work can be described as Magical Realism. Vivid color is her hallmark, the bigger, the bolder, the better. Her medium is fast-drying acrylics on wood, canvas, and walls. Her color palette is not limited to natural color. There are no rules this artist doesn’t beautifully break. She is a voraciously productive painter and the last few years have given her commissions that are Hotel Super-Sized!

The first was with Grapetree Bay Hotel and Villas, East End, during the Pandemic. An ambitious project, the current owners aimed to bring a once thriving hotel, decimated by Hugo in 1989, back to its former glory. In 1963, the now world famous artist, Daniel Buren, took a commission fresh out of art school to create murals all around this hotel. In 2020, Barbara Gelardi was chosen to do the same. Her Giclee Prints are in every room and her hand painted large sea animal woodcuts are hanging above the beds.

An 80-foot hallway ceiling is painted as if you are in an aquarium, the gym has seven 10-ft painted Moko Jumbies, and the outdoor Sea Terrace Restaurant, facing the pool, has four large arched frames depicting a compass direction and the charms of the natural beauty each shore on St Croix offers. Upstairs, The East End Bar, features a mural of the band that used to play at the Hotel in the 1960s. Plans are to continue the art into the Villas along the beach.

Barbara has also been working on the remodeled luxury suites at Sand Castle on the Beach, Frederiksted. Large, boldly designed botanicals grace the new Dolphin Villa. See one on the August cover! An 8-foot Octopus and 4-ft square, magnified orange and red Hibiscus create a modern echo of Pop Art and Georgia O’Keefe influences.

Find Barbara at work and view Giclees and Original Acrylics in her Christiansted studio; text to set up an appointment. Studio hours vary due to mural work, although she is usually at the Studio between 9am-3pm.

Barbara Art Studio | Company Street |340-514-9038 | Barbara.website | FB, Barbara Art Studio | IG, Barbara Gelardi

Designer of the Official US Virgin Islands Madras

This colorful madras fabric is making an appearance everywhere in so many creative ways! You will see it on quadrille dancers and Moko Jumbies, ceremonious ribbons and tablecloths, pageants and costumes, headwraps and even Santa. The excitement is palpable. And why? Virgin Islanders now have their very own madras fabric. This uniquely designed plaid fabric is the Official United States Virgin Islands madras, enacted by the Legislature of the US Virgin Islands on January 21, 2021. The fabric has quickly become a tangible way of showcasing our Virgin Islands pride and beauty.

Born from the vision of one of our Living Legends and highly regarded cultural bearers, Mr. Bradley Christian, of the St. Croix Heritage Dancers, recognized how important it would be for us, as Virgin Islanders, to have a madras to call our own. He reached out to me as a Virgin Islands Artist & Textile Designer to create a design that would be like no other.

Charged with the daunting and very exciting task, I wanted the design to be beautiful, but more importantly, it needed to instill an emotional connection. Specially designed for the USVI, I chose to symbolize the splendor of our islands through specific colors reflecting our rich beauty, culture and history. Every element included in the design conveys the depth of our past, present and future.

I have been fortunate to work on a wide array of design projects since launching my business in 2015, including large scale custom installations for hotels and private residences, as well as expanding my collection of Caribbean inspired designs. My prints are featured on products ranging from accent pillows to fabulous hand fans, wall hangings, yoga leggings, exquisite silk scarves, colorful tote bags and pouches and much more, available online, at art fairs, and studio visits by appointment.

Of the many projects, designing the official US Virgin Islands madras has been the most exciting, challenging and emotionally rewarding. What a proud moment it is for all of us!

Debbie Sun Design Studio www.debbiesun.com | info@debbiesun.com

IG debbie_sun_design_studio

FB Debbie Sun Design Studio