IslandVibesIOP.com 20 surfboards are everywhere. I am truly an island girl, and I love showing people why the island is so special.” Whitney, Jay and Baylor enjoy dining at IOPizza, Lawrence’s Seafood Company, The Co-Op and The Outpost, while also relishing time at the beach and in the water together. Whitney continued, “I am deeply faith and family-centered. My work draws from memories and snapshots of my childhood – my little brothers and sister playing in the Wando River’s creek beds, fishing from jon boats, surfing after school and the everyday magic of Lowcountry life. My vision is simply to ease anxiety and depression and offer a breath of calm.” We feel the calm, Whitney. Keep shining your brilliant light. It is impossible to be in a bad mood at the beach,” declared Whitney Walker-Gill. After speaking with Whitney about her love for art and passion for this island, one could also ed her father, co-owner Win Walker’s advice during her first hurricane shift: “Write it all down!” Whitney made it through the hurricane and continued to thrive on the island in real estate, family life and art alike. While traveling to New York City on an eighth-grade school trip, Whitney said she realized that one could do art for a living, prompting her to attend the Art Institute of Charleston, where she graduated with a degree in graphic design. Preferring to work with recycled and thrifted canvases, sustainability is important to Whitney. “I love the ocean, and love to support local; what I paint is strictly coastal, strictly Lowcountry,” explained Whitney. From vacationing in her hometown every summer to venturing to New York City earlier this year to see her artwork featured on a billboard in Times Square, Whitney is soon to embark on an adventure that promises to be a dream realized. Five of Whitney’s pieces will be on display this month at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. One of her paintings to be displayed at the Louvre was rendered on a recycled canvas Whitney found on Waterway Boulevard. You can also find Whitney’s artwork displayed with other artists in a coastal coffee table book called “The Art of Saltwater.” Husband Jay and son Baylor share Whitney’s affinity for all things saltwater related, as do Folly and Finn, the family’s beloved beach-loving dogs. “Our house looks like Lisa Frank threw up in it,” laughed Whitney. “Every wall is a gallery wall and seashells and conclude that it is impossible to be in a bad mood when in her company. A local native, growing up and vacationing in Wild Dunes shaped Whitney’s devotion to all things Lowcountry. As the oldest of seven siblings and 10 cousins, Whitney joyfully recalled her extended family’s annual vacations at the Grand Pavilion. “We rented the same house year after year and would crash weddings, dancing on the pavilion and making our way into the wedding reception videos.” Currently the director of operations and social media manager at Carolina One Vacation Rentals, Whitney recountTRAVEL Live where you can’t stop visiting Memories make for the best souvenirs By Laura Fogarty VacationVibesonIOP.com Meet Your Island Neighbors! By Laura Fogarty Jumping through hoops with Kitcat Cunningham Kitcat Cunningham has been bringing smiles, laughter and peaceful vibes to the island since 2017 when she made her first appearance at the Isle of Palms Front Beach Fest. Cunningham is the owner/ operator of Hoopitude, where she teaches private hula hooping lessons and performs at both private events and public festivals. Formally, she is Catherine Cunningham, but as she explained, “Only my mother calls me Catherine! Working in the kitchen of the Hard Rock Café in Long Island, New York, earned me the nickname ‘Kitcat,’ and I couldn’t be happier that it stuck.” Cunningham speaks with a subtle confidence about her art form of hula hooping and helping to spark joy in all those lucky enough to encounter her. Cunningham stated, “Nothing makes a smile more than a hula hoop. A stranger is merely a friend I have not met yet. That's why every person I pass by I try to make smile. Teaching gratitude and positive attitude publicly is the best part of life.” She started out in the hospitality industry, working at Wild Dunes before launching Hoopitude. Along the way, she established a food bank to help those in need, another way of giving back and moving forward. “If you slow down, you get to enjoy life more,” declared Cunningham. Of her adult son, Patrick, Cunningham shared these words, “Always on my mind, always in my heart, always missing you and always so proud of you.” Of hula hooping and helping others to learn the craft, Cunningham beamed with gratitude, “I know I found my purpose. I might not get what I want but I always get what I need. I don't worry if my glass is full or empty, I’m just grateful I have a glass. I have learned so much in these years of hooping. I owe it to my higher power. Every day is a good day if you wake up smiling. If you smile throughout the day, it will get you through.” A self-described quintessential island girl, Cunningham highlighted a few of her favorite things to do on IOP. “I love to perform with fire! Other than that I love any and all things island related – hula hooping at The Windjammer, watching sea turtles being released, going to oyster roasts and spending the day at the county park. I just love being on the island and being able to spread a little joy when and where I can.” Keep spreading your sunshine, Kitcat – the island and the world at large are better because of it. Whitney Walker-Gill and family Whitney Walker-Gill Two hula hoops are better than one
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