Not Your Average Sailor's Valentine
Written by Ellie Alban
Photo by Kit Noble
It's not your typical clothing store. This one, on Centre Street, holds over 400 pounds of 25 different types of shells, arranged and glued in a lattice pattern on the walls and ceiling, including a life-size sailor’s valentine as its centerpiece. This is Tuckernuck, at 23 Centre Street.
The artist behind the design of the design, Callender Baker, recalls staying true to the theme of
A Sailor’s Valentine, “I thought the vision of a sailor’s valentine was a really sweet homage to the island’s history but also an admiration of the time spent on the island by the Tuckernuck founders.” The life-size sailor’s valentine alone is a masterpiece, including abalone, scallop, large and small conch, and green limpet shells, with the quote, “when this you sea, remember me” in the center.
Callender worked closely with the Tuckernuck team over three months planning everything from design to logistics before the installation in May. Callender spared no details on the design of the store, which has become a spectacle that stops passersby in their tracks, who cannot help but take a closer look inside. The store itself is described as “a jewel box celebrating chic Americana style and a fun, full life.”
When it came time to begin the project, Callender and her team of three artists, Michele, Mechelle, and Demi, arrived about two weeks before the store opened its doors on Memorial day weekend and hit the ground running to complete it in time. The larger abalone shells in the center of the lattice pattern were drilled to the wall, and the smaller shells were adhered by hand with liquid nails construction adhesive in taupe. This was no small feat, as the team of four was working around the clock and took about 250 hours to complete the project. The shells themselves were purchased in bulk from Atlantic Coral Enterprises Inc., and the smaller more ornate shells were purchased from several Etsy sellers.
When asked about the design process and vision for the store, Callender explained, “as a display artist, I love the idea of creating an unimaginable experience for the customer and I appreciate so much the Tuckernuck team for the care and intention they put behind, not only the brand as a whole, but also the shop, A Sailor’s Valentine by Tuckernuck, on Nantucket.” Callender has done just that with her work, as anyone entering the store experiences a lifesize work of art.
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