What’s New?
Elisa McKay creating her latest artwork in a place that provides inspiration and serenity on St. Croix.
Welcome! I'm thrilled to share more about my art and love for creating art for loved ones and art enthusiasts alike. Periodically, I will provide updates including inspirations, behind my artwork and current exhibitions which you may find in this Blog section.
2024 has provided me time to spend time with loved ones as well as time to create new artwork. This year began with a visit with my daughter and her family in New Jersey. My daughter, Ayanna planned a party for my 87th birthday in January 2024. I am so blessed.
2023 year was amazing and filled with multiple blessings. I give thanks for the Goodness of God that has followed me throughout the year. I celebrated my 86th birthday and it paved the way to a year full of creative activities.
The Master Class at the Caribbean Museum for the Arts exhibited in February through March. It was an honor to be invited to join so many talented artists on St. Croix. I showed three art pieces, two borrowed from patrons and one from my own collection.
The 175th Anniversary of our July 3 Virgin Islands Emancipation was a commemoration and celebration around the territory. I joined many local artists in our visual and performance representation of this event. I submitted a triptych, “Freedom,” which was a first for me creating this three-panel art form. The third panel was chosen to grace the July cover of our local magazine, “St. Croix This Week.” The Department of Libraries, Museums and Archives and the Cane Roots Art Gallery invited artists to participate in the 175th Anniversary exhibit. Fort Frederik in Frederiksted and Cane Roots in Christiansted were the showplaces for the work of multiple artists creating in multiple genres. Over 30 artists, including students, exhibited in the Fort Frederik show. I also participated as a St. Croix Source reporter and wrote feature stories for both venues, with Fort Frederik blossoming into a four-part series.
The highlight of my year was my Retrospective Art Exhibit that represented and celebrated 40 years of my art. I located and invited former patrons who lent us the artwork they purchased from me as far back as the 1990’s. It was an ambitious feat, yet a happy and rewarding challenge that was a labor of love over a period of many months and brought many folks together to accomplish the end result. It was so much fun!
The exhibit opened October 28 and brought out the art lovers in the community. Ayanna traveling down for the exhibit was the icing on the cake! My artwork filled six rooms on the second floor gallery. It was an awesome and successful undertaking. The museum staff, the photographer and the curators put their best foot forward and created an amazing exhibit. They were so careful in showing my life’s work and making it shine. They included me in all aspects as they crafted “A Self Portrait” Celebrating 40 years of Joy. I am so honored, so humbled by it all…so thankful.
The show closed November 25. A limited edition print of my “Untitled” piece, which I signed and numbered, is for sale unframed. A hardcover catalog of the “Retrospective" is also offered for purchase. The museum acquired my “Freedom” triptych for part of their permanent collection.
My daughter and family spent Dec.15 through Christmas Day on St. Croix. I traveled back with them to New Jersey, my home away from home. My grandson is currently in his sophomore year of college. He spent a two-month summer sojourn in Malaga, Spain in a language immersion program. My granddaughter, a junior in high school, continues to excel in track and field, in hurdles, sprints, long jump, triple jump and on the 4 x 100m and the 4 x 400m relay teams. She also competes internationally as a member of the Virgin Islands National Team.
My artist/educator friend, Pedra Chaffers and I will combine our creative juices in a joint exhibit at the Cane Roots Art Gallery in November of this year.
Thank you for your interest, support and appreciation for art as you explore my new website which shares my love for my family, friends, and the enriching culture that St. Croix provides!
