By Kimberly Young

Walking into Tillett Gardens, you can immediately feel the creativity flowing and pumping through the air. The brightly colored buildings, beautiful vegetation and rascally iguanas seem to draw you in. Around every corner there is another shop or studio with imaginative treasures and gems. It is hard to believe that Tillett Gardens will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary.

Jim and Rhoda Tillett moved to St. Thomas in 1959 and converted an old Danish farm of cowsheds and barns, with no electricity or running water, into what Jim called "a peaceful sanctuary of creativity and wonderment."

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(340) 775-1929 • TUTU, ST. THOMAS

Visit this historic garden setting surrounded by local artisans and bring home locally hand-crafted gifts. Shops and Studios: Everyday Clay, Ridvan Studio (clay), Alison's Wonderland (clay), Caribbean Herbals & Candles, Eloi Leather & Crafts, Island Moon, Paintings by Ahmed Alarefi, The Orchid Shop, Pandora's Treasure Box, Hand Paint'd Co, The Body Garden Day Spa & Salon, Key Art Supplies, Art's Alive, Tillett Silk Screens, Jack's Restaurant & Bar, and also our famous Pistarckle Theater. www.tillettgardens.com (island map)

Across from Vendor's Plaza, a bright blue building welcomes visitors and longtime residents to the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative.

The Welcome Center is a perfect fit for the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative, which has long been a favorite of locals and visitors searching for that perfect, authentic flavor of the island. Locally handmade hot sauces, crafts, dolls, jewelry, soaps, sculptures and paintings are available, as well as writings and music penned and recorded by local artists.

Stop by the new Welcome Center and the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative next time you are downtown and see the results of vision and cooperation. For more information call the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative: 777-1153.