Keeping Traditions Alive With Art Thursday in Downtown Christiansted
St. Croix strives to adapt to a “new normal” while keeping its long standing traditions alive. For almost 25 years, Art Thursday has been one of the island’s most cherished events. Local and visiting artists, store owners, restaurateurs and the general public would come together to celebrate the arts from 5pm to 8pm every third Thursday of each month between November and May. For the 2020-2021 season, downtown Christiansted merchants were challenged to discover new ways to offer the community a memorable Art Thursday experience safely. The answer was to expand the three-hour event to a FULL DAY affair, allowing attendees to appreciate the beauty of Art Thursday’s offerings while practicing social distancing.
Art Thursday remains true to its original goal – providing a fun meeting place where friends and family can get together safely for an enjoyable time. This adjusted timeframe helps to limit the numbers of patrons that can enter the various establishments, making it a safe experience for all. One of the ways that store owners are attracting increased foot traffic during Art Thursday is by showcasing the work of local and visiting artists in their stores.
Rosa Morales of Wildflower Boutique in Caravelle Arcade regularly hosts popup shops at her boutique with local vendors and artisans. “With Art Thursday, the idea is the same – to do my part to support local or even visiting artists however I can.” As a lover of art herself, Morales appreciates the energy and community aspect of Art Thursday. “I am happy to see people out and about again, looking at the art and shopping in all the stores.” Three more Art Thursdays remain for the 2020-2021 season – March 18th, April 15th and May 20th. Be sure to stop by and visit the multitude of art galleries, jewelry stores, boutiques and restaurants while exploring the streets of downtown Christiansted from 10am to 8pm. For more information, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ArtThursday.
Written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
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