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Ruby Bute


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Born: Ruby Bute. January 13, 1943. Aruba.

Living on St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles since 1976.


ART EDUCATION: 
Autodidact.

PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST:

Ruby was born in Aruba of St. Maarten parents. She was raised in an area called the Village which was home to settlers who worked at the Lago oil refinery. She’s been painting since the age of 6 but it is not until the age of 40 that she began to hold exhibitions. In the early 70’s, Ruby moved to St. Maarten, her parents’ homeland and in 1983 she held her first solo exhibition. It is thought to be the first one-woman exhibition of the island.

Ruby has gained much acclaim having been referred to as the “mother of arts on Saint Martin”. True to her heritage, her home, and her love for the island, Ruby has captured on canvas the celebrations of carnival, women, rhythm and nature. 


In her enduring career as an artist, she has used an array of media, from oils to watercolors, pastels, acrylics, and oil pastels. She describes herself as an artist, a philosopher and a dreamer. To meet Ruby is to meet island culture, which she so accurately describes through her vibrant canvasses, her poems, and her melodious and rhythmical voice when she story-tells.


Ruby paints every day in her gallery that doubles as a studio and classroom. According to Ruby, “Painting is like taking your vitamins or brushing your teeth”. Today, she is one of St. Martin’s leading painters, acclaimed poets and dedicated art teacher.


GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2003 Nanette Bearden Fine Arts Gallery. St. Maarten, N.A.

2003 Norman Parrish Gallery. Washington D.C., USA 

2001 St. Dominique School for Black History Month, St. Maarten, N.A. 

1997 Chez Martine, St. Martin, FWI 

1997 Biennal. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

1997 Stations of the Cross. Catholic Church, Marigot, St. Martin, FWI

1997 Woman and Identity. Kralendijk, Bonaire

1997 Art Invasion
1997 St. Maarten, N.A. 

1996 26th Acuril Conference. Maho Reef Resort, St. Maarten, N.A.

1996 McDonald’s Restaurant. St. Maarten, N.A. 

1994 Ruby and Friends. Nanette Bearden Fine Arts Gallery, St. Maarten

1994 Caribbean Art Travel Exhibit. International Exhibit

1994 Park Place Gallery. Oranjestad, St. Eustatisus, N.A.

1994 Maison de Jeunes. Sandy Ground, St. Martin, FWI 

1993 Carib Art. UNESCO 
1988 Bibliothèque Municipal. Marigot, St. Martin, FWI 

1983 First Woman Art Exhibition. Little Bay Hotel, St. Maarten, N.A. 

1982 SMAFESTAC. St. Martin, FWI

1982 3rd Annual Arts and Crafts exhibit. St. Maarten, N.A.

SOLO EXPOSITIONS:

2001 Pleasures. Nanette Bearden Fine Arts Gallery, St. Maarten, N.A. 

1996 Art Invasion 1996. St. Maarten, N.A. 

1995 Art Invasion 1995. St. Maarten, N.A. 

1993 Pastel Celebrates. Arts & Crafts Village, Mullet Bay, St. Maarten. N.A.

1991 Gala di Arte. Maduro Curiels Bank. Int’l Trade Center, Curaçao, N.A

1987 All for the People. Nanette Bearden Fine Arts Gallery. St. Maarten

1986 Nieuwe Kerk. Amersterdam, The Netherlands 

1985 Department of Cultural Exhibit. Maarten, N.A.

1985 Windward Island Bank. St. Maarten, N.A.


WORKSHOPS:

2002 Mentor Exchange. Nanette Bearden Fine Arts Gallery, St. Maarten.

1997 Lecture at the Book Week Program. Saba, N.A. 

1991 Study of pastel, portraiture, still life, anatomy, photography, and the business of art. CT, USA 
1990 Poetry workshop, Professional Training School. St. Martin, FWI 

1989 History & Customs. Sister Magda Primary School, St. Maarten 

1988 Art, poetry & story-telling.Sister Magda Primary, St. Maarten 

1988 Art -story-telling. St. Martin of Tours Parish Church, St. Maarten, N.A.


POETRY:

2000 Recital for St. Maarten’s Day. Philipsburg, St. Maarten, N.A. 

1999 Story-telling for Black History Mo. Prince W. Alexander School, SXM

1998 Recital at the Pointe Blanche Prison. St. Maarten, N.A.

1997 Story-telling, Socially Acceptable “Unity Week”. St. Maarten, N.A.

1996 2nd Publication of Poetry “Festival Bouquet to the Daughters of Eve”

1995 Recital at the Mep Festival, Amsterdam, Holland

1989 First Publication of Poetry “Golden Voices of St. Maarten”

1986 Presentation of poetry and drama “Traditions” Cultural Festival, SXM

1985 Presentation of poetry and drama “Traditions” Cultural Festival, SXM

HONORS:

2004 Lifetime Achievement Award, Dept. of Arts and Cultures, St. Martin

2001 Qualichi Award, St. Maarten Medical Center, St. Maarten, N.A.

2000 Published Most Popular artist in “St. Maarten Massive”

1998 “Oustanding Citizen Award”, St. Martin Education & Cultural Org.

1997 “Outstanding Services Award”, Rotary Club, St. Martin, FWI

1992 Initiation to the Pastel Society of Connecticut, USA

1986 Certificate of Excellence for fine Arts awarded by SMECO

1985 Presentation of poetry and drama “Traditions” Cultural Festival, SXM

1982 Honorable mention for the Fine Arts by SMAFESTAC, St. Maarten, N.A.

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