Tourists, go home! Demonstrators protest crowds in southern Europe

 

Crowds on our recent crossing of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence illustrate the overcrowding which
is taxing the patience and pocketbooks of locals, causing anti-tourist demonstrations across Europe.

The complex problem of over-tourism is the focus of today's
column.  We experienced protestors and understand their view.

LOCALS PROTEST AS TOO MANY PEOPLE TAX FOOD & TOUR SERVICES, WATER SUPPLY, DRIVE UP HOUSING 

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE MEYERS 

We photographed this scene in the Canary Islands
earlier this year. We viewed the rally from our bus.

FOR THE day first time in many trips to Europe, we experienced  "tourist go home" demonstrations.

We sympathize with the protestors, but it's a strange feeling. We have mixed feelings about this phenomenon.

On the one hand, we travel to enjoy ourselves, relax, as we spend money to take in familiar and new sights. We are courteous and tip well. But not all locals want us in southern Europe. 

The day we docked in Santorini, above, three other ships
were in port. Seven ships have docked on other days. 

WE UNDERSTAND their feelings because while many businesses rely on tourism, others view increasing crowds as a plague.  They claim over-tourism  is damaging the land, economy and spirits. It's a fact that in some places, rents have more than doubled in five years and lines to access museums, buses and cable cars can wrap around a city block.

Recently, we experienced crushing crowds in Santorini. This caused residents of this idyllic island to balk when they were told to stay home last week.  Why? Because in a single day, 17,000 tourists descended on their lovely land, famous for its blue and white architecture and hilltop vistas.

One way to avoid crowds is to rent a car as
we did a few weeks ago in Lanzarote.

We saw protestors in the Canary Islands, too, where locals are insisting that the government rethink tourism policies. This "Tourist Go Home" mentality was on signs, on banners and on the lips of protestors as anger rises.

Crowds and lines to book tours and get a table
at a resident are a common sight these days. 

It's a complicated issue. Over-tourism is putting pressure on health services, waste management, water supplies and housing at the expense of residents.  

Restrictions are inevitable as crowds cause a rise in real estate prices, environmental pollution, traffic congestion, general overcrowding and a water shortage.

Crowds overflow in Santorini, awaiting sunset. Bars and
cafes are packed these days; but many locals are not happy.

Still ship passengers are flowing into southern Europe by the thousands. Venice is expected to attract 540,000 cruise ship passengers this year, a near 10 percent increase from 2023, according to the North Adriatic Sea Port Authority.
As the city is overrun by tourists, a visitor's tax has been implemented. Cruise lines are now docking farther from city center which helps the structural and environmental integrity of over-touristed cities and ports. Of course it it makes transportation into "the action" more difficult and expensive for us.  Again, we understand and try to do our part to preserve these beautiful places for a return visit. Somehow, a compromise must be reached. 

Venice folks have mixed feelings about tourism. Many
businesses need the patronage of thousands of visitors
but many others don't appreciate the ill effects of tourism.

UP NEXT: The allure of Venice.  It's not the same cruising into Venice, since cruise ships have been banned from the city front and Grand Canal.  While the city is being overrun by tourists, and a visitor's tax has been implemented, it is still one of the world's most glorious cities. We encourage a visit while we can still find a table to savor the sights and sounds of a sinking but elegant city. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, nature, family, performance and more: www.whereiscookie.com

 

Porcelain potter retires from studio, parts with treasured collection

 

Rick Cosgriffe's decades long fascination with Oriental brush stroke painting shows in his graceful
and detailed work. These jars are inspired by the wildflowers of his native Montana.

SUMI BRUSH PAINTING INFLUENCED MONTANA BORN ARTIST'S STYLE

PORCELAIN COLLECTION GOES FOR SALE AS ARTIST MARKETS SHOW PIECES

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

Artist Cosgriffe's fine porcelain pottery caught the eye of
New York Times art critic John Canaday, who called his
pieces "elegant -- still wet with the feel of the brush."

PORCELAIN  has ancient roots in the world of art.

And for many years, a Montana native has been carefully creating fine arts porcelain show pieces.

Artist Rick Cosgriffe is  retiring his pottery studio, selling a collection of unique pieces he has crafted since the 1970s during  three decades at the potter's wheel.

Rick's hand painted bowls, vases and platters
reflect his study of sumi painting and his love
of nature and the American west as well. 

The one of a kind collection spans his entire career, showcasing his evolution as an award winning potter, based for many years on the west coast. 

Rick in Europe last
month with his brother-in-
law Bruce Keller.

If this sounds boastful or braggadocious, it's because I'm his sister and a fan. 

Cherry blossoms and birds are frequent motifs in Cosgriffe's
art, here on a platter featuring the faithful chickadee.

I've watched him grow as an artist since we were children drawing birthday cards. Rick left Montana in the early 1970s to apprentice at the Hayes Pottery Studio in Point Arena, California.  Jim Hayes, a native New Yorker and my brother-in-law, invited Rick to study ceramics and learn the craft. It was soon apparent to Jim and his wife, my late sister Peny, that Rick had tremendous talent. As his reputation grew on the west coast, I helped promote his art and sell his porcelain at art fairs and juried shows, including Yellowstone Art Museum. One of our patrons was the wife of the owner of the Seattle Seahawks. She spent thousands on vases,  platters, lamps, jars and bowls and promoted Rick's work in high-end galleries.
IT IS WITH mixed emotion that I announce Rick is parting with his collection at a show and sale this weekend (details below). I will never part with my collection, acquired during many art shows together. My pay each show was a work of art so my collection features Rick's evolution. 

I have collected my brother's hand painted
porcelain for decades. These lovely jars hold
 teas, coffee and sugar for hummingbird nectar.

When I interviewed New York Times art critic John Canaday,  I invited him to our home to show him Rick's pottery. "It has elegance, and enduring beauty," he said with admiration. "It is still wet with the feel of the brush." 

FOR YEARS, Rick's pottery was shown in galleries from San Francisco to Taos, Denver, Whitefish and Red Lodge, and in Billings at Toucan Gallery.  After suffering "burnout" from the rigors of production and shows, Rick's career segued from pottery to nature  photography and writing, a move to Montana, return to university and a degree in counseling. He worked for years at Passages in Billings, helping troubled women return to society and productive life. He retired from Passages but developed another arts career, collaborating with his partner Jane on calendars, mugs, photographs and journals.  Despite  dealing with Parkinson's, he remains an accomplished artist and writer, but no longer creates porcelain art. He jogs daily, and friends from our hometown of Columbus, Montana, remember his excellence as an athlete and devoted runner.

Rick Cosgriffe with his Montana photos. They will
 be available this weekend, along with his porcelain

MY BROTHER'S art is informed by a lifelong interest in travel, in art of many cultures and a particular interest in sumi painting. In reflecting on his work with porcelain -- known for both its delicacy and durability -- Rick pays homage to porcelain artists of centuries past. "Japanese, Chinese and Korean artists worked with classic celadon glazes." Porcelain, he adds, lends itself to graceful glazing "and is an excellent canvas for brush painting." Potters know how difficult it is to paint on curved surfaces rather than a flat canvas. Thus Rick's work reflects both talent and patience. It's been my pleasure to be part of my brother's artful world for many years. I encourage admirers and collectors not to miss this weekend's show. I'll be the one with the hanky.

Art show and sale details: Buyers can browse and collect a piece of Cosgriffe's unique, one-of-a-kind porcelain artwork during a three-day show this weekend at 1311 Hardrock Drive, Billings, Montana, 59105. His elegant work will be displayed on his back patio, during a neighborhood sale. Times are Friday, Sept. 6, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 7, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 8, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The complex problem of over-tourism is the focus of our
next column.  We experienced protestors and understand.

UP NEXT: Tourists go home! We felt the frustration and anger of locals on a recent return to Europe. There we were -- enjoying ourselves, spending money, taking in familiar and new sights. But not all the locals want us in southern Europe. We understand their feelings, because tourism has done damage, along with providing income for many.  This "Tourist Go Home" mentality was on both signs and on the lips of protestors during this most recent trip to Europe. It's a complicated issue. Over-tourism is putting pressure on health services, waste management, water supplies and housing at the expense of residents. We delve into the problem in the next piece. Meanwhile, remember to enjoy, live and learn, and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, performance, nature, family and more: www.whereiscookie.com