LuckyKid
SBH Insider
JEK's posts in the 'Arrivederci' thread jogged a sweet personal memory: "Doniger's home" in Marigot, from the Porter Henry's "Les Amis de St Barth"
Not only were they early full time American residents on St Barth (1967!) but their decision to leave caused quite a stir with us.
An important name in my early St Barth memory. Benji Doniger was a NY-based film director (IMDB) and cinematographer (his innovative cameras were used on TV, Candid Camera) who was married to artist, Margot Ferra whose paintings-collages of the island in the 1970s, 80s captured my earliest island memories. A selection of her work is here and also featured on every Eddy's restaurant matchbook.
Her work is known in Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico and US.
(We are fortunate to have inherited a lovely Ferra work--I am lucky to be able to see it everyday!)
Visiting the Doniger's house out in Marigot bay was memorable! Their large 'living room' was open on 3-sides with stunning water views and lush plantings all around. Their gardens were impressive. While we visited and enjoyed our drinks, so did many birds around, even lizards shared the space. Their house was simple but heavenly, an island paradise like nothing I'd ever seen.
Some time in the early 80's (I heard) the Doniger's shocked the St Barth US expat community when they sold their house and announced their departure for Fla.-- for health care and a new chapter. "Aging out" of life in St Barth was not what my parents' or friends on the island wanted to think about, but it became/becomes a fact, a very real life issue for many, island residents and frequent visitors alike. My folks' St Barth adventure lasted another ten years or so when they also 'aged out' in the mid-1990s and moved back to the states.
- Peter
Taken From January 1970, Les Amis;
"Meet your neighbors"
BENJI AND MARGOT DONIGER: The Donigers followed the Schmidts to become the second American family to live permanently in St Barth. (ed. note 1967!)
They live in a lovely two-story home over looking Anse de Marigot. Like the Schmidts, they've worked hard on their gardening, and are particularly fond of their pineapples and West Indian cherries, Russian-born Margot had been an actress in Berlin, and took up painting when her career was interrupted by the war. She paints professionally under her maiden name, Ferra. She has had many one-man shows in both San Juan and New York, and welcomes visitors who wish to view her paintings in her studio in their home.
Benji is a "semi-retired" motion picture producer who has made many films in the United States and in Puerto Rico, where the Donigers lived for 18 years before moving to St Barth. One of his films, "'Modesta," produced for the Puerto Rican government, won the St George prize at the Venice film festival. His most recent work was a half hour travelogue about the Bahamas, A professional violinist before he turned to movie making, violinist Doniger of Marigot often joins guitarist Bob Johnson of Lorient in an evening of Dixieland duets.
Margot's works from her St Barth years are still around on the island. According to Eddy S., several hang in the Stone House that overlooks St Jean bay. Margot Ferra died in 1986, Benji Doniger in 1988.
Not only were they early full time American residents on St Barth (1967!) but their decision to leave caused quite a stir with us.
An important name in my early St Barth memory. Benji Doniger was a NY-based film director (IMDB) and cinematographer (his innovative cameras were used on TV, Candid Camera) who was married to artist, Margot Ferra whose paintings-collages of the island in the 1970s, 80s captured my earliest island memories. A selection of her work is here and also featured on every Eddy's restaurant matchbook.
Her work is known in Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico and US.
(We are fortunate to have inherited a lovely Ferra work--I am lucky to be able to see it everyday!)
Visiting the Doniger's house out in Marigot bay was memorable! Their large 'living room' was open on 3-sides with stunning water views and lush plantings all around. Their gardens were impressive. While we visited and enjoyed our drinks, so did many birds around, even lizards shared the space. Their house was simple but heavenly, an island paradise like nothing I'd ever seen.
Some time in the early 80's (I heard) the Doniger's shocked the St Barth US expat community when they sold their house and announced their departure for Fla.-- for health care and a new chapter. "Aging out" of life in St Barth was not what my parents' or friends on the island wanted to think about, but it became/becomes a fact, a very real life issue for many, island residents and frequent visitors alike. My folks' St Barth adventure lasted another ten years or so when they also 'aged out' in the mid-1990s and moved back to the states.
- Peter
Taken From January 1970, Les Amis;
"Meet your neighbors"
BENJI AND MARGOT DONIGER: The Donigers followed the Schmidts to become the second American family to live permanently in St Barth. (ed. note 1967!)
They live in a lovely two-story home over looking Anse de Marigot. Like the Schmidts, they've worked hard on their gardening, and are particularly fond of their pineapples and West Indian cherries, Russian-born Margot had been an actress in Berlin, and took up painting when her career was interrupted by the war. She paints professionally under her maiden name, Ferra. She has had many one-man shows in both San Juan and New York, and welcomes visitors who wish to view her paintings in her studio in their home.
Benji is a "semi-retired" motion picture producer who has made many films in the United States and in Puerto Rico, where the Donigers lived for 18 years before moving to St Barth. One of his films, "'Modesta," produced for the Puerto Rican government, won the St George prize at the Venice film festival. His most recent work was a half hour travelogue about the Bahamas, A professional violinist before he turned to movie making, violinist Doniger of Marigot often joins guitarist Bob Johnson of Lorient in an evening of Dixieland duets.
Margot's works from her St Barth years are still around on the island. According to Eddy S., several hang in the Stone House that overlooks St Jean bay. Margot Ferra died in 1986, Benji Doniger in 1988.
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