Ways to Support Local Artists During Your Next Caribbean Vacation

Hold on . . . that must be a photograph. It looks too lifelike. I position myself behind the young artist at his easel, careful not to interrupt his concentration or crowd him, as he meticulously adds the tiniest dab of white paint to the canvas. His hand is so steady, I question whether his nervous system is functioning normally. In front of me, a portrait of an elderly woman springs to life with striking detail: her shirt bursting with polka dots in vibrant hues, her eyes filled with a touch of melancholy or perhaps nostalgia? The lifelike wrinkles on her hand remind me of my own grandmother, whom I haven't seen in years. I can almost detect the scent of Vanicream.

Blinking rapidly, I take a second look and notice the artist has an inspirational photo of his muse tucked at the corner of his easel, capturing her soul and essence in an incredibly realistic manner with oils. This painting style, along with charcoal drawing, is the focal point of the Àni Art Academies, a nonprofit that provides a full-time, tuition-free art education that transforms beginners into professional artists in just three to four years.

Nestled among the palm-fringed hills of rural Rio San Juan on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, these students witness their peers becoming farmers, fishermen, and taxi drivers. The area is dotted with churches, lotto shops, and cockfighting clubs, hinting at the lively weekend atmosphere. The land is rich: during a morning stroll into the hills, we spot starfruit, avocados, lychees, bananas, cherries, sour oranges, papayas, mangoes, breadfruit, and soursop—all within the first half hour.

Yet, on a four-acre plot with views of the lush, fruit-filled landscape and white-sand beaches nearby, a spacious single-story studio hosts some of the most gifted emerging artists I've ever encountered. Under the mentorship of head instructor Maxwell Miller, an American contemporary realist artist, and through a thorough curriculum crafted by professional artist and educator Anthony J. Waichulis, renowned for his realistic trompe l’oeil work, over 50 artists dedicate 35 hours a week honing their craft.

Enrollment is quite simple: Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold citizenship in the region of the academy, possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, and demonstrate dedication to their training. Portfolios are not required. They start by mastering how to hold a pencil and draw a steady line; from there, they will learn to depict spheres, cones, and cylinders in intricate detail, practice repeatedly, refine their skills, discard their mistakes, and continue learning until they’re ready to undertake paid commissions. Some may go on to illustrate medical textbooks, others may accept portrait commissions locally or internationally, and many will exhibit their work in galleries in Santo Domingo. They also learn the business side of art, including how to frame their work and set their prices, before graduating.

Guests of Àni Private Resorts, always located near an art academy, are among those hiring local talent. These luxurious all-inclusive resorts, owned by Tim Reynolds, cofounder of Jane Street Capital and an arts supporter, sponsor art academies across the Caribbean, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United States while providing travelers a chance to engage with the communities they visit. After a car accident in 2000 left him paralyzed from the waist down, Reynolds became a student of the Waichulis technique. Known by friends as “the most fun guy with the biggest heart,” he invested his energy into establishing art academies and ventured into the hospitality sector in 2010, transforming his private homes on the cliffs of Anguilla’s Little Bay into bookable villas for up to 20 guests. Now, there are resorts on the serene North Shore of the Dominican Republic, where I stayed last year; on Thailand’s Koh Yao Noi island, nestled between Phuket and Krabi and away from the bustling crowds; and on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, a larger facility accommodating up to 30 guests.

This spirit of enjoyment is evident throughout the Àni properties: Picture a refined open-air environment, where exceptionally attentive staff cater to guests one-on-one, and exquisite multi-course meals are prepared by a top chef—plus a waterslide right nearby. This isn't just any waterslide; it’s sleek, exhilarating, and fun for all ages as they plunge into the infinity pool below. Guests can elevate their experience with scuba diving, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or kayaking along the coast, or perhaps enjoy a day at the beach with a fully catered barbecue. Every moment feels highly personalized (in part because the Àni villas require full buyout, so you know all the guests). While you’re certainly paying a premium—reservations start from a minimum of five nights at $15,000 per night, approximately $750 per guest—the experience feels far less exclusive than a typical all-inclusive might imply. We frequently ventured off the property for hikes and visits to the art academy, gaining insights into how a luxury resort strives to be a better neighbor to the community in Rio San Juan.

It might begin with a solitary charcoal stroke on a sheet of paper.

Continue reading to discover more about Àni Art Academies and Àni Private Resorts.