A memorial gathering to celebrate the life of St. Thomas master artist Eric Winter will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21, in Tillett Gardens.
Winter, whose career capturing the people and places of the Virgin Islands in oil on canvas spanned nearly half a century, died on Jan. 3 at his home in Frenchman's Bay.
For the outdoor gathering on Sunday, Nicky Russell, the brother of Winter's wife, Nadine, will serve as facilitator. Among those planning to make brief remarks are Rudy Thompson, Ray Miles, Mark Marin, Rhoda Tillett, Per Dohm, Robert Wesley, Willie Wilson and Karen Bertrand. Others who would like to share remembrances are asked to contact the Tillett Gardens office in advance by calling 340-775-1929 or e-mailing to tillett@islands.vi.
Anyone wishing to offer comments but who cannot be present at the gathering may send reminiscences in writing to the arts complex office via fax to 340-775-9482 or e-mail to the address above.
Some of Winter's paintings will be on exhibit at the gathering. Refreshments will be served at the close of the afternoon.
Winter had an interconnection with Tillett Gardens from his early years on the island. He moved to St. Thomas in 1954 fresh out of college. In 1959, Jim and Rhoda Tillett purchased the former farm that would become Tillett Gardens. In the 1960s, Winter and his first wife, Nancy, and their four children lived nearby the Tilletts and their two sons, east of the arts complex on property where Winter also had a studio.
Years ago, Winter had expressed the wish that his ashes be scattered at sea off St. Thomas. His wife and two daughters on St. Thomas and his four adult children now living on the U.S. mainland plan to carry out that wish on Monday, Jan. 22. The vessel carrying the family and close friends will depart from Red Hook at 4 p.m. Others with boats wishing to accompany them and take part in the ceremony at sea are asked to coordinate plans at the memorial service on Sunday.
For background on Winter's life and work, scroll down to the earlier Source story in this section titled "St. Thomas oil painter Eric Winter is dead."
