The Original Nantucket Basket Santa

Making his first appearance on Nantucket in July 2008, the Original Nantucket Basket Santa was introduced at the Event Under the Tent benefit for Small Friends of Nantucket, the island’s early education school. This introduction carried forward a longstanding connection between Vaillancourt Folk Art and Nantucket. In the 1980s, when Gary and Judi Vaillancourt first started their business, they often participated in retail shows, including one on Nantucket. Decades later, when their son Luke joined the company full time, there was a renewed push to reenter the retail show circuit to connect with collectors in person, and Nantucket naturally became one of those destinations. Recognizing the high costs involved with participating in a show on the island—including transportation, ferrying products, hotel stays, and food—Judi decided to design a piece that would be specific to Nantucket and could help cover the expenses of the show while honoring the island’s heritage. Thus, the Nantucket Santa was born, designed for those whose hearts belong to Massachusetts’ beloved island, featuring a Nantucket Basket in place of his traditional sack filled with nautical packages and baskets. The collection was an instant success, with the first batch selling out immediately, validating Judi Vaillancourt’s deep impression of Nantucket as a place of inspiration, beauty, and historical richness. With a charm that transcends time, the Nantucket Santa reflects the island’s enduring inspiration for artists such as Herman Melville, and its whimsical nautical Christmas nostalgia was even mentioned on WCVB’s Chronicle. The Nantucket Santa Series continues to merge fine art with the spirit of Christmas, creating a tangible piece of the island’s tradition for collectors to cherish.