The Venice Yacht Club’s Diamond Jubilee celebrated not just a milestone anniversary, but the camaraderie, friendship, and shared love of the water that have defined the club for 75 years. From the energetic music emanating through the building to the Italian themed desserts, wines, and charcuterie upstairs and fresh seafood and desserts downstairs and outside; the club treated nearly 300 guests to a party reminiscent of the joy and success of the last 75 years. The grand celebration reached its height at the end of the evening with an art unveiling that captured the spirit of the club with exquisite precision and thoughtful detail.
Ed Tindall, Venice Yacht Club (VYC) General Manager and COO, had long admired renowned artist Graeme Baxter’s iconic oil paintings of golf courses around the world. While Baxter had never painted a yacht club, Tindall admired his soulful landscapes and commissioned him to create a painting commemorating the club’s 75th anniversary. Baxter and Tindall then began the creative process by photographing the club via helicopter, a member’s yacht, and a Venice Police Department boat. Still feeling something was missing, Baxter called Tindall to ask for another perspective.
“He calls me up and says Ed, I just need a couple more pictures,” Tindall laughed. “I'm not very good at flying drones … and I, on a very windy day, took the drone up and snapped a few pictures,” remembered Tindall, “and he calls me up and says, ‘it's perfect.’” In the end, Baxter subtly included Tindall standing on the dock in his painting, taking the very drone shot that inspired the masterpiece. “You made the painting!” said Baxter of Tindall’s cameo. Much to members’ astonishment and delight, Baxter also featured their boats docked on Roberts Bay—adding immense personal value to the work. “Most thought it was a photograph,” said Tindall of the guests’ reaction to the accuracy with which Baxter represented the club.
The painting’s aerial view emphasizes the VYC’s proximity to the shoreline—a sight that is sometimes obscured on land. “Being a native Floridian, I remember the days when you used to drive over the bridge and you saw nothing but the beach,” said Tindall. “People drive by the club out front and see a parking lot. Well, our million-dollar view is Roberts Bay,” he explained. “The back of the clubhouse is a wonderful reflection of who the members are and the culture and longevity of the club that has been part of this community for 75 years.”
When asked what the VYC’s future looks like, Tindall had one word: bright. He has a deep appreciation for the thoughtful and caring nature of the club’s members and the positive culture of the staff. “I myself couldn’t be happier that I’m part of this very unique, wonderful club,” said Tindall.