James Bard’s America (oil on canvas, 1851) The idea of summer conjures a lot of images, notably the beach, the warm sand under toe and, of course, the yachts that travel the cool waves of the ocean. It were these ideas, combined with art and history, that brought Judi to design the 2015 Nantucket Summer Series Santa. In 1851, an American marine artist from White Plains, New York named James Bard, painted one of his most noted works of art, America. The painting depicted the 19th-century racing yacht which was the first winner of the America’s Cup international sailing trophy. Competing against seven schooners and eight cutters, America was started the race behind because of an fouled anchor. Once underway, the ship quickly caught up and surpassed the other ships winning with an 18 minute lead. America Yacht Santa by Judi Vaillancourt as part of the Nantucket Summer Series The 2015 Nantucket Santa depicts this legendary yacht on its coat while the anchor is featured as a pattern on his hood. Along the base is a boat’s rope design that compliments the nautical blues and seascape along the back of the coat. Whether you love art, history, or Christmas, there is no doubt that the 2015 Nantucket Santa brings them all together. Premier Numbers of the America Yacht Santa will be introduced at Small Friends on Nantucket’s Folk Art & Artisan Show at Bartlett’s Farm starting July 16th.
