Private Kunstenaars and Artistes from Marigot

Begin your Private Kunstenaars and Artistes St. Martin Tour by setting out from the cruise pier in your air-conditioned vehicle. Your driver will give you some general information about the island and its natural beauty, but today's program focuses on artistic beauty.

One of several artists you will visit on the French side of the island is in Oyster Pond. Here, you will enter into a quaint home and gallery to discover the Caribbean paintings of Dona Bryhiel. Having lived in the Caribbean for a large portion of her adult life, Dona has made the Caribbean culture her own. You will see it in the nature, the colors, the people, and favored themes of her paintings.

You will also visit the Alexandre Minguet Art Gallery, which is now managed by the daughter of the late artist. The gallery carries original watercolors, paintings, lithographs, reproductions, postcards and posters by the artist that depict colorful landscapes, marine scenes, local villages and tropical flowers.

During this St. Maarten excursion visit one of the region's most-respected artists, Sir Roland Richardson, referred to as the "Father of Caribbean Impressionism." From a French Caribbean family that dates back to the 1700s, Mr. Richardson has recorded his culture for more than forty years with paintbrush and palette. His contributions to the realm of contemporary Plein Air Impressionism are part of art curriculums around the world. His works in oil, watercolor, pastel, charcoal and extensive fine print-making in etching, engraving, aquatint, mezzotint, woodcut and dry point have been featured in more than 100 one-man and group shows in museums and fine art galleries

During your time on the Dutch side, you will travel to the village of Friar's Bay, where you will visit the home of Ruby Bute. To Ruby, painting has always been her life and joy. Through her watercolors, oils, acrylics and pastels, you can look deep into St. Martin's culture and the natural beauty of her island and its people.

On your ride back to the pier, you will have the option of ending your tour downtown in Philipsburg's shopping area or back at the ship's pier. Guests departing downtown will need to arrange their own transportation back to the cruise pier at their own expense via taxi, water taxi or walking.

Please note: You will visit 3-4 artists. Artists may be substituted based on their availability. There are some inclines and steps required to access the galleries. Due to the intimate size of the galleries visited, wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Unlike other group tours, 10 is the maximum size group per departure to allow for a more personal experience. Itinerary and duration may vary depending on traffic.