Page 11 - Hobe Sound Reflections - February '21

Hobe Sound, Page 11

Travel from page 10 Interestingly, not only
has the temperate climate
Today’s visitors can still see remnants of the wall, as of Gotland produced an
well as portions of the churches and cathedrals that were abundance of award-winning
built. However, only one of these landmark churches roses that cover the walls and
is still in use. St. Maria Cathedral is the only medieval buildings in the village, but in
church that remains intact and is used today. Although addition, 36 species of orchids
roofless, the nave serves as a concert hall for musical make their home here.
festivals that are staged late each summer. Today, the During summer, the island
villagers of Visby look to festivals and tourism as swells from its usual 58,000*
their major source of income. Townspeople suffered a residents to more than 300,000
setback several years ago when the “ruin-plays” were visitors for the various festivals.
discontinued. These performances, held in St. Nicolai However, even with very
Church, go back to the turn of the century. The most admirable weather, once the
famous of these plays was Petrus de Dacia, which summer season is over, Gotland
features music composed by Friedrich Mahler. reverts to its landowners. Visby’s brightly painted buildings line the cobblestone streets, reflecting a period
locked in time.

Red-tiled roof buildings in Visby, built outside the great wall, now fill the land from the city
to the harbor. Multicolored fishing boats dot the small harbor in Gotland.
MCOST to Present Open Studio Tour probably easier than it was in the Middle Ages. There’s
As one might expect, getting to Visby today is

an airport, and regular ferry service is available from the
By Jackie Holfelder mainland. Perhaps the best way to enjoy this medieval
Information about the exhibiting artists, studio locations masterpiece is aboard one of the cruise ships that now
If you’re ready for some safe and distanced enjoyment, and more is available at www.MCOST.org, Martin use Visby as a port of call on a regular Baltic Sea cruise
Martin Artisans Guild hears you! Artisans Guild Facebook page or on Instagram at itinerary. Regardless of how you get there, the time
#MartinCountyOpenStudioTour. spent experiencing Gotland and Visby, this true medieval
They are delighted to extend an invitation for you to attend village, is priceless.
the 5th annual Martin County Open Studio Tour (MCOST) on Photos provided by Martin Artisans Guild *Source: Gotland in Figures, 2017, https://www.
March 6-7, during which you can visit 32 artists who will be gotland.se/104323, Page 6
displaying their work in 22 studio locations in Martin County. Don Kiselewski writes from his personal experiences,
having traveled in 122 countries and cruised the oceans,
MCOST’s hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. seas and rivers of the world. Palm Beach Gardens Travel
Leaders, his family owned and operated agency, is
Just about the only differences between the four previous located at Mirasol Town Square, 11360 North Jog Road,
MCOSTS and this one will be the change of month from Building A, Suite 102-6, Palm Beach Gardens. The agency
January to March (for obvious reasons) and the safety has been serving the travel needs of the South Florida
precautions that will be taken at each studio. area for over a quarter of a century. Contact him at (561)
694-9696 or Aussie@PBGTravel.com.
Masks will be required of all attendees and exhibitors, and Photos by Don Kiselewski
social distancing will be practiced at all sites.

As in years past, MCOST – which is free to the public - will
highlight local artists working in a wide range of mediums:
painting, drawing, sculpture, glass, ceramics, jewelry, mixed
media and textiles.

You can see the exhibitors at work in ateliers in the Jensen Diana Rell Dean
Beach, Stuart, Port Salerno, Palm City and Hobe Sound
areas. Watch as magnificent items are created and interact
with the skilled masters as they work.

Original pieces will be available for purchase.

Help kick the event off with a flourish at a special Preview
Event on February 17 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Elliott
Museum.

Each participating artist will display two samples of their
work to give event attendees a taste of his or her style and
medium. The preview party is open to the public and there
will be a $5 per person donation at the door.

Informational guide booklets are available now at numerous There are gates peppered along the two-mile wall that circles
locations including The Palm Room at Harbour Bay Plaza, Visby. This one has a large opening for carriages and a
Court House Cultural Center at Arts Council of MC, Red smaller one for pedestrians.
Barn Furniture and Stuart Art Supply, as well as at each
studio on the tour.

Major sponsors include Women Supporting the Arts, Arts
Council of Martin County, Frugal Framer, Elliott Museum,
Stuart Art Supply, Visionary School of Arts, Whiticar
Boatworks, Jewelry by Whiticar, Curt Whiticar Collection
and Aya Fiber Studio,

Here’s your opportunity to experience the process of
art being made, as well as to meet the renowned people Torenzo Gann
creating it.