Christel Fleming, Sarah Lee Hayes, Becky SchmelterHoliday Art & Gift Show

Christel Fleming

Christel Fleming is a versatile artist who discovered the intricate art of quilling (shaping paper into mesmerizing forms) in 2022. Though she has a background in watercolor, sculpture, and other mediums, quilling captivated her because it demands meticulous attention to detail and patience—qualities she employs daily as a dog trainer and behavior consultant.

Her primary focus is creating intricate, highly detailed depictions of wildlife and natural landscapes. Christel excels particularly in on-edge quilling, a three-dimensional, sculptural technique that involves gluing paper strips to a background on their edges.

This method perfectly blends her disciplined nature—stemming from her past as a military member which instilled in her a strict, precise, and detail-oriented approach—with a need for creative, peaceful expression. Working in St. Augustine, quilling serves as an essential, creative escape, allowing her to transform paper into captivating, textured artwork.

Sarah Lee Hayes

For more than four decades, Sara Lee Hayes has been a celebrated ceramicist on St. Croix, shaping the island’s creative landscape with her vibrant artistry. A beloved teacher, she shares her expertise with both adults and children, inspiring new generations of makers. Her work has appeared in the Caribbean Museum for the Arts, local fairs, galleries, and gift shops—and most recently at Crucian Clayworks in Frederiksted, the retail studio she co-founded with Donna Rae.

Hayes is renowned for her beautifully crafted functional pottery—especially her everyday tableware, all dishwasher- and microwave-safe. What truly sets her apart is her ability to blend utility with stunning visual appeal. Rich, luminous glazes and imaginative tropical motifs—turtles, coral, geckos, fish, and more—make each piece a small celebration of island life. Her tableware doesn’t just serve a purpose; it transforms any space with warmth, color, and artistic flair.

Becky Schmelter

Gyotaku is the traditional Japanese art of fish printing. Gyotaku is a unique and expressive artform that blends natural realism with creative interpretation.
Printing the actual fish on delicate rice paper, Gyotaku captures the intricate textures and fine details of marine life with life like accuracy. Each print is both a direct impression of the fish and a tribute to the beauty of nature.

Once the print is complete, Becky returns to the piece to hand-paint vibrant color, subtle shading, and intricate details. This final stage allows her to breathe life back into the image, highlighting the natural beauty and individuality of each fish.