Hi All Art Lovers!

Nothing but good news for you today. St. John is once again open for visitors to come, with stores and restaurants open and waiting for your entry. Coconut Coast Studios will reopen (after 7 months of being closed) on November 2, 2020. We have lots of new artwork, as well as gift items. And to answer the question on everyones lips…. we will have a VIRTUAL Wednesday party LIVE on the Coconut Coast Studios Facebook Page weekly. I am sorry, but due to Covid-19 restrictions, we cannot host the multitude of guests that normally attend. So, we will weekly have new products and a piece of art on discount. Also, an Early Bird Special, for those that tune in early. Tune into Facebook starting Wednesday November 4th at 5:30 (one hour ahead of EST), to watch the sunset, have a glass of champagne with us (you provide your own!) and check out the new art work. Of course there will be cameo appearances of Dove and Star. I have never done anything like this, so it should prove interesting! I’m sure we are all in for a few laughs.

Once the gallery is open, we have made it safe for a client experience, with a safe store environment, and only allowing 6 guests in the store at a time. Plenty of outside seating in the shade or sun, with the best views on the island! If you are on island, and want to stay really safe, and shop online, just call, and we can do curbside pick up, so you have no shipping fees. Of course, we do ship, if you prefer, via Priority mail.

I am so delighted to tell you about our new Business Manager for Coconut Coast Studios! Ladys Hernandez is a lover of nature, with an attachment to the ocean, so it is a natural fit with St. John. She is also a dog lover, and met Dove before she met me! Ladys moved here from Puerto Rico in January, after ten years of infatuation with the neighboring island’s unspoiled beauty. In her words, “I am ecstatic to work at a place where I am surrounded by things I am passionate about.” I am sure you will find Ladys as wonderful as I do! Please stop by and meet her on your next trip to St. John.

My family has moved back to St. John, which makes me very happy. Many of you know Jon and Nancy Schutt, as they built and operated Coconut Coast Villas. They had been living in Florida to get the kids through high school, and now, that both grands are in college, are able to return home. It is a big help to me, as I am still in strict quarantine, and plan to stay that way until I get a vaccine. You will see me live on Facebook, or if you come to the gallery, and want to see me, I will talk to you from my balcony! I will be here, just not on the ground floor to personally greet you.

The 2020 holiday season is different from seasons past, not least due to new health and safety guidelines, but it can still be one filled with love. The face masks have been selling like hot cakes! I had no idea (but should have known) that a face mask would be a hot commodity this year. Calendars are also doing well, and both fit into one envelope, when ordering. ‘Tis the season for gift cards, if you are looking for ideas….. also available online. I have heard that many of you will not be coming to St. John this year. I totally understand, and hope to see your smiling faces, mask free, maybe next year, when I personally can hug you again, and we can be back to our normal selves……with a vaccine and lots of luck!❤️

Best wishes to you and yours!
Elaine Estern

Spring Time in St. John

In spite of three hurricanes in two weeks, a tsunami warning, seventeen foot waves, explosions and fire, 24 hour power outage, and a 4.7 earthquake, we are having a beautiful Spring! I am not going to even ask “What’s next’” for fear of finding out! St. John Strong! We just keep telling ourselves….

Visitors have started to return and say it is still as beautiful as ever, minus our coconut trees. Should anyone come to the gallery, and purchase gifts, $50 (or more), I am giving a free 3’ coconut tree to go and plant anywhere on St. John. Our North Shore beaches need new coconut trees, and that way, we can all help put them there. Take a photo, and come back next year to see how they are doing.

The gallery officially opened on Valentines Day, with a lovely party for the entire island. And it seems, everyone came! I saw a lot of very happy faces! Rich and Katha are back, giving us lovely music again, and we had another cameo appearance from Nancy Ruffer. The studio never looked nicer, but you must come by and see for yourself.

I have been forming ideas for next years calendar, going out and around the island for inspiration. I believe the calendar will be titled, “New Beginnings,” but don’t hold me to it!

Every day gets better than the last (with a few steps backward). Normal is a word often heard. We will have a Chili cook off on April 22, and the Beach to Beach Power swim is planned for May 27, 2018. 8 Tuff Miles was held, but there was no registration. It was very casual. Almost all restaurants are open, serving wonderful food. Come and see for yourselves!

I have committed my time to two committees of the Long Term Recovery of St. John Community Foundation. One is Infrastructure, and the other is Economic Recovery. I particularly want to have either new companies bring in more barges, or the companies that have the licenses, to bring in new barges. I have been told that Llew Sewer has purchased a large new barge, and awaits delivery…maybe this month! It would certainly ease the strain off of our two barges that are working day and night!

Caneel Update… from Friends of NPS

“The future of Caneel Bay Resort has been in the news lately fueled by VI Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett’s introduction of a bill (HR473) in Congress to extend Caneel’s “retained use estate” status for another 60 years. The Friends opposes this bill. We believe that this bill is unnecessary, unwarranted, and contrary to the best interests of Virgin Islands National Park as an effective mechanism for the continued operation of Caneel Bay Resort at the expiration of the RUE. There is a law which already exists. This is PL 111-261, a law passed in 2010. This law allows for the resort to operate under a lease arrangement for up to 40 years. The law also protects the natural, cultural and historic resources of the property, provides for lease payments to Virgin Islands National Park based on fair market values, and respects the legacy of Laurence Rockefeller, who founded the resort and donated about 5,000 acres of land to establish VI National Park. The law is already quite favorable to the current RUE-holder, CBI Acquisitions LLC, allowing them non-competitive access to this unique opportunity.”

I personally would go one step further and request that you contact your Congressman/woman; and say that the Bill HR473 is not helping the people of St. John, and to vote it down, and not include it with another bill that may get passed. It has passed out of the committee, to be heard by Congress. The Virgin Islanders have NOTHING to say about it, and no way to stop it……except by reaching out to you, as you DO have representation. Because it is in the National Park, it must be decided by Congress!

Thank you to all and thank you for being a lover of St. John!
Love City Strong,

Elaine Estern

Thank you all for staying in touch with us! It was heart warming to get all of your emails, cards, orders, and calls. After two months I figured out how to forward the gallery phone to my cell phone! So, if you have been calling, and I did not respond, it is because I never got the call, and probably never will! You can call me now, at the gallery number (340) 776-6944.

I am so sorry many of you are in the cold, while it is beautiful here! Who knew St. John would come back so fast? Certainly not those of us who live here! But it is true, the trees are all green, and growing. The coconut trees that made it, all have new sprouts coming out of the tops. Mother nature has a way of pruning things, then watering (50+inches of rain), and then just watch it grow! So visually, the island has come back. The National Park beaches too are all cleaned and water is still turquoise, and inviting. I was told the water temperature was 80 degrees last weekend! Even if the government shuts down, the National Park Beaches are OPEN on St. John!

We have had cooling breezes, and rain showers at 5AM almost daily to wash everything off, and keep it fresh. And I understand there are plenty of places to rent on St. John, probably at a discount this year. If you only had experienced Caneel or Westin, try some thing new! There is no need to make reservations at the restaurants. Almost all are open now, with great food, and good prices. Airline prices are falling, now that the holiday season has passed. What is keeping you?

All of that said….. Coconut Coast Studios has been in construction mode. We have replaced railings, and shutters, bathroom tile, and built a new kitchen! Our opening date is February 14th! Valentines Day! What better day to celebrate a new beginning at Coconut Coast Studios. There will be new art work on display, along with freshly painted walls. It has been said that I am clairvoyant…due to the fact that I titled the 2018 calendar REFLECTIONS of St. John. Not true, but it does give me pause. The things that I love the most about St. John are in this calendar. Sorry to say, it is sold out! But, you can still see the images if you check out our web site. And there are the originals for sale. A Giclee reproduction is also available of your favorite image, just contact us with the size you desire.

We are also very excited to announce our new website, which was created and designed by Laura Kåmark and Sandy Feet Web Design. It was time to upgrade my website, to reflect the changes to the Studio. Please do check it out at www.coconutcoaststudios.com. And let us know what you think! I find it very easy to navigate, and hope you do as well. There will be new additions monthly, so please come back often. Even if just to dream of a warmer place!

I hope to see you sometime in 2018. Please come check out the gallery, Truffle (yes, she is still with me!) and how many new grey hairs Jennifer and I have from our many adventures.
Thank you all for being a lover of St. John!
Love City Strong,

ELAINE ESTERN

Hello to all!  

Writing this newsletter in the spirit of the season, with much gratitude and good will towards all.  You have all shown us just how special you hold St John in your hearts.  So, this is a progress update on St. John, and Coconut Coast Studios, and a look towards the future.  

It’s again the time to count our blessings and give thanks for what we have.  It may be very difficult for many this year but each of us here has a valid reason to be grateful: we are still given the chance to fulfill the reason for this life of ours.  And many of us are just grateful to be alive!  

Nothing stays the same but St. John will bounce back stronger than before.  Its magic will keep nourishing the soul of whoever is open to perceive its extraordinary beauty.  On my (rusty) refrigerator is a sign…. “Everything has beauty” – Confucius.  I see it daily in the people, the birds, plants, water and sky.  

We have been working very hard to clean up the debris around Coconut Coast Studios, wash, paint, and renew our spirits.  The plan is to be open for Christmas, with the first cocktail party on January 3, 2018.  I will keep you all posted!  We do have power….kind of, and a mobile phone…. some of you have tried calling the 340-776-6944 number.  There is an message on it, but really…. it is not connected to anything!  If you left us a message there, we didn’t get it, and probably will not get it until next year!  Email works excellent!  

There are still 2018 calendars available for purchase. Please order on our website, www.coconutcoaststudios.com. Order soon if you would like the calendar to arrive BEFORE Christmas. If anyone has ordered a calendar and not yet received it, please email us to let us know!
 
Happy, Happy Thanksgiving and let’s look forward to a bright tomorrow.
 

Thank you for caring!  
Elaine

Greetings to all!

Hope you are enjoying your summer, with all of the wonderful things it has to offer. In St John, we are enjoying (mostly) beautiful days, warm clear water, cool breezes, and scattered showers to cool us off. Our temperature is usually mid 80’s degrees, with a touch of humidity. Not bad.

The calendar has landed here in Cruz Bay, and we have mailed out all of the pre-orders. You can go online, call us, email, or come by the studio to get your calendar NOW! 2018 is titled Reflections of St. John. I know you will enjoy the art, as I have already sold 5 of the originals! A few teasers enclosed…..you can see the rest on the website.

I recently traveled to Cleveland Clinic, Florida. The exhibit will continue through August, then Cleveland Clinic is keeping all of the art work, mostly to be put into the International section. I have been told by many visiting Virgin Islanders, and patient reps that the art work made them feel at home, and more relaxed. I am happy to be able to once again represent my home in another setting.

Truffle, the dog, and Star, the cat have checked in with all. Truffle, age 11, spends most of her days sleeping, but often will get up to greet the guests. The trees around us are in full bloom with flamboyant, and iguanas. The iguanas eat as many of the flowers as they can, and have bright red lips to prove it.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Best wishes ~

Elaine and Crew

Spring has come to Coconut Coast Studios, with all of the flowers in bloom, birds and bees buzzing happily around. Truffle continues to take her daily swim, wagging her tail, and rolling on her back. Elaine and Jen have stayed busy with the Wednesday evening parties, and keeping the gallery and shelves full for everyones enjoyment.

The Cleveland Clinic Exhibit was hung on April 5th and will be on display until mid July. Elaine will also have a piece on permanent exhibit in the International Department.

A photo of Elaine standing by the art will be in the summer newsletter, after she has an opportunity to go and see it herself. Each piece of art is a giclee reproduction, on canvas, sized 24” x 36”. They are for sale at $695 each, including shipping.

The 2017 calendar has been well received. We only have one original in the gallery left for purchase, “Mangrove Nursery”. All of the others have gone to good homes across the US and St. John. Elaine has begun the 2018 calendar, titled “Reflections”. As the name suggests, there will be reflections both above, and below water. She is a very busy artist right now. We expect to have the calendars available for sale by September. This will be another special year.

The season is winding down and we are starting to see less of our friends visiting the gallery. I hope that when you are on island, during season or not, that you stop by and visit with us. We only have a one party left for this season and will start up again the first Wednesday in November.

We now have gifts items on sale at Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, National Parks Visitor Center and Friends of the National Park, Best of Both Worlds, Island Fancy, St. John Spice and The Westin Resort, Sunny & Co.

Hope everyone is healthy and happy! We will keep the waters warm and the sun shining for your next visit.

Best wishes~

Elaine and Crew