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