Full disclosure: my nights in St. Croix usually consist of visiting restaurants and bars. In an effort to find a new activity, I found out that there are art classes at CMCArts or Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts offered regularly. I would not consider myself an artist by any means. However, you’ll never know if you don’t try, right? So I decided to leave my comfort zone and try one out.
Registering for Art Classes at CMCArts
Sign-up is incredibly easy. I was able to select a class, register, and pay online with ease. They keep class sizes low for a personalized experience, and local artists instruct the classes. And there are plenty of budding artists in the area, because it seemed the classes fill up quickly. They offer classes for youth and adults, so you can bring your kids too!
The variety of classes impressed me. I couldn’t make a decision of what style of class I wanted to do. They have different skill levels and styles of art, so there truly is a class for everyone. I was most interested in a hand caning class, but because it coincided with my parent’s visit, I wasn’t able to make it. However, what an incredible skill to have! I ended up choosing a two-day class to create a “Precious Metal Clay Enameled Pendant.”
First and foremost, I want to give special thanks to Laura Dawson, my teacher, and Jessica White, the education coordinator. Both selflessly gave their time and attention to our group and made it such a pleasurable experience. They even let us come in early and stay late to ensure we were happy with our projects. The passion they have for supporting art into the community is contagious and could be felt as soon as you walked on property.
My class consisted of 4 women (including myself) with different skill sets. I felt like the most novice, as I’ve never worked with precious metal clay…at all. No one seemed to care. Because it was such a small environment, everyone was encouraging and helpful as we crafted our projects. We even exchanged information to keep in touch. It reminded me that art has the ability to bring people from all walks of life together.
Hokulani helped me while filming my videos and was a very patient neighbor as we learned the process. Melodie gave me keto recipes and cheap taco spots on island. Brenda even graciously brought me a book entitled “Virgin Islands Flora & Fauna Checklist” to entertain me and inform me on my travels. Aside from making the art, the camaraderie felt on the property made the whole process worth it.
And, that solidarity isn’t just felt in the classroom. It’s a strong community at CMCArts, and everyone is supportive of their mission. Their influence in the community is compellingly strong. There was a benefit going on the first night of my class that was so widely attended, they filled the entire courtyard with patrons.
I believe in the importance of art in a community. On of the most mesmerizing sights in St. Croix are the myriad murals and bright colors that light up the buildings. It’s impossible to walk the streets and not be enchanted with the surrounding artwork. With a location directly on Strand St, CMCArts keeps the spirit alive. Art seems to have its own identity in St. Croix, and this institution only adds to the vision. Thank you to CMCArts for offering a very rewarding experience to my stay. I will forever be grateful for your hospitality and teachings.
Here’s a small video I made of the process, with two 2-hour classes:
For more information, visit www.cmcarts.org/classes or visit their Instagram or Facebook for class schedules, events, or how you can get involved.
