Treasure Hunters, Artists and Authors
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Meanwhile, take a look at last year's Piratical Festivities.   
​Robert Jacob  Author - Historian
With a lifelong passion for history, Robert Jacob has been heavily involved in living history interpretation and reenacting for over 40 years. He has participated in activities covering a wide range of time periods including numerous French and Indian War and Revolutionary War reenactment groups, Western Gun Fighter groups, regularly attending Mountain Man Rendezvous and Renaissance Fairs.  During the past 12 years he has focused on the golden age of piracy with a concentration on Blackbeard. 
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Robert graduated from Duquesne University with a Bachelor’s Degree in education in 1978.  He taught in the West Point public school district, West Point, VA for five years while completing his Master’s Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983.
In 1982, Robert entered the United States Marine Corps reserve and augmented to active duty in 1983.  During his service, he became a military occupational specialty instructor and earned the designation of Master Training Specialist.  Later in his career, he became the Commanding Officer of the Marine Detachment at the same school where he had earlier instructed.  He achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5 and retired after 31 years of service in 2013.
While researching information on the golden age of piracy, Robert realized that most of the publications on the subject were contradictory and even incorrect.  This motivated him to write his current publication, “A Pirate’s Life in the Golden Age of Piracy.”
​Think you know everything about Pirates?
Fascination with Pirates has for centuries driven stories of heroic proportions—true, exaggerated, and imaginary.  Legends of their high seas debauchery continue to inspire modern day books, movies, and groups, dedicated to acting out their past. Pirates are heroes to some and the lowest of crooks to others, but do we really know the truth?
The facts are that the historical record on pirates is vague, contradictory, and rarely accurate. Digging deep into the true history of Piracy and those who lived this life, Robert Jacob has unearthed a treasure of information that allows you to see, feel, and experience the true life and motivation of pirates in their Golden Age.
Come aboard and see what pirates actually wore, the type of ships they used, and how they planned and executed some of the most cunningly successful heists ever known. A Pirates Life in the Golden Age of Piracy will fascinate and transport you back in time with rich stories and visual accuracy. If you thought you knew all about pirates you’re in for some surprising revelations that will leaving you even more intrigued!
​Carl Fismer -
​World Famous Treasure Hunter


Captain Carl Fismer is one of the most respected and
knowledgeable treasure diving professionals in the world. 
 
His area of expertise is shipwrecks, especially Spanish
shipwrecks and has recovered millions of dollars in gold, silver, jewels and other artifacts.

He has worked over 300 shipwrecks including the Taj Mahal Treasure and the famed galleon Concepcion.

 The Concepcion; not to be confused with a ship baring the same name, Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion which sank in 1638 near the southernmost point of Saipan, the second Concepcion sank in 1641, 70 miles off the northern coast of the Dominican Republic upon the coral reefs known as the Silver Bank. 

 "Fizz” as he is known to friends, directed part of the salvage diving of the Santa Margarita, sister ship to the Nuestra Senora de Atocha, which was discovered by Mel Fisher. 

  In 1992, he traveled to Sri Lanka and dived with Sir Arthur C. Clarke of 2001: A Space Odyssey fame, in association with the Great Basses Reef Treasures.
 
In May, 2010, Captain Fismer was awarded the Mel Fisher Lifetime Achievement Award.
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​Patrick S. Mesmer - Author
GHOSTS OF THE TREASURE COAST

The Treasure Coast is such a popular destination that some choose to never leave. From the spirits of ancient Indians who once inhabited the beaches to the pirates who spied for passing victims from the safety of the inlets and coves, the region is infused with eerie, tragic history. A phantom widow keeps watch from the Boston House window for men long ago lost at sea. Spirits of the victims of a murderous cop linger at the Devil’s Tree, where their bodies were found. The dreaded pirate Black Caesar still steers his ghost ship toward Dead Man’s Point in the St. Lucie Inlet. Authors Patrick and Patricia Mesmer navigate through spooky tales of vanished sailors, wandering phantoms and lost treasure scattered across the ocean floor.

Join Patrick and Patricia Mesmer as they explore the fascinating history of Florida's Treasure Coast with a paranormal twist!
In Loving Memory of Steve Witucki
September 5, 1956  - October 5, 2019
​Steve's work will be on display and available for purchase
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​Steve Witucki 
Nationally Acclaimed Maritime Artist

Around the Great Lakes region, Steve Witucki, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, has been a well-known artist for over thirty years. His art is featured nationally in media, buildings, homes, parks, museums, and art galleries. 
  
Steve, an able-bodied seaman, developed a love for art in 1978. During long voyages aboard ship, he created maritime illustrations and paintings, depicting the lore and legends that enveloped the Great Lakes. One of his prize paintings gained notoriety, opening opportunities in ways he could not have imagined.
       
Over sixteen years ago, the Discovery Channel filmed a program aboard the Edwin H Gott. Deep in the ship's interior, producers uncovered the floating studio of a young, talented maritime artist. On display in the studio was a painting of the Edmund Fitzgerald lying on the bottom of Lake Superior. Steve’s painting and 1,500 prints of the Edmund Fitzgerald sold long ago. Prints # 1, and his print of the Carl D Bradley, both signed by singer Gordon Lightfoot, are both currently on display. 
         
Although much of his work focuses on maritime and wildlife images, Steve explores a wide variety of subjects using various medium, some of which are on display internationally.
     
In 2008, the Domaci Gallery classified Steve as a “Nationally Acclaimed Maritime Artist.” His art and biography are featured in many publications including: Michigan History Magazine, True North Magazine, Great Lakes Mariners and Seaway Review, as well as on the front cover of the book, Lost and Found Legendary Lake Michigan Shipwrecks. He is currently creating an oil painting depicting the seventeenth century ship Reformation as well as illustrations for the book series The Jonathan Dickinson Odyssey, which will be published this summer. Steve also provides art and video for television channels including: Discovery, History and National Geographic as well as backdrops for plays and musicals. He also provides illustrations for corporations such as Anheuser-Busch. Steve has created Korean and Vietnam memorials crafted from black Onyx.
        
Steve also includes glass etchings in his portfolio. He designs and creates freehand graphics on entrance doors, sliding doors, windows, drinking glasses, plaques and trophies. His clients include museum gift shops, municipalities, corporations and home owners.

​Steve creates art to meet the needs and wishes of his customers. “The art belongs to the customer. My mission is to create art that reflects my customers' inner thoughts and ideas, not mine. That’s the uniqueness of what I provide,” Steve said.