Loïs Mailou Jones (1905 – 1998) was arguably one of the more accomplished of Martha’s Vineyard artists. The former Oak Bluffs summer resident has had three books written about her art. Seasonal resident Dr. Cheryl Finley (no relation) of Cornell University published an essay about her that speaks to Mrs. Jones’ love for Martha’s Vineyard, and the Martha’s Vineyard Museum has an oral history recorded by Linsey Lee and reproduced in the book Vineyard Voices. The website devoted to her says, “...trained at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Loïs Mailou Jones began her career at a time when racial prejudices and gender discrimination were strong in American culture.” One of her works entitled Indian Shops, Gay Head is in Washington’s Corcoran Gallery and at least four of her paintings — including her self-portrait — are at the Smithsonian Institution, which graciously acknowledged Oak Bluffs’ contributions to history at Union Chapel. Loïs Mailou Jones’s art is widely coveted and difficult to obtain. The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital has been quietly looking to acquire a piece of her work to make available to the public at its expanding gallery, so if you have any thoughts, I’ll be happy to pass them along.

Another Jones — Jeanine Primm Jones of the Oak Bluffs’ multi-generational Primm family — has a watercolor portrait show of her work at Featherstone Center for the Arts at 6:30 p.m.

Fashionistas should stop by Studio Shop for a summer soiree from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dukes County avenue in the Arts District.

The Honorable James E. Clyburn debuts his new book Blessed Experiences at the VFW at 6 p.m. Cong. Barbara Lee and Cong. Gregory W. Meeks join a committee including Oak Bluffs denizens Wayne and Adrienne Rhone and David and Lynne Edmonds, among others. Natalie Baszile will be at the Oak Bluffs library at 6:30 p.m. for a talk about her book Queen Sugar, a story of an African American woman who inherits a sugar cane farm.

At 7:30 tonight the Island Theatre Workshop presents a performance of Peter Pan at the Performing Arts Center for the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living. Call 508-939-9440 for tickets, $25 for adults and $12 for children.

Ann Margetson will be remembered at a graveside service at 3 p.m. tomorrow at the Oak Bluffs Town Cemetery followed by a reception at the senior center only a few houses away from the family home.

Tomorrow marks Glenn Tunstull’s 15th art exhibit at Cousen Rose. The reception is from 7 to 9 p.m. and the show lasts until August 23. This year’s show is Beach Day Musings.

Stanley Nelson’s film Freedom Summer will be shown at the Tabernacle on Tuesday, August 18, by the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival. This film is one of the reasons President Barack Obama presented him with a National Humanities Medal on July 28 at the White House. Stan and Henry Louis Gates Jr. will discuss the film and that momentous summer of 1964.

The film Twelve Disciples of Nelson Mandela will be shown at the library Tuesday at 1 p.m. and at 3 p.m., presented by the Martha’s Vineyard branch of the ASALH, founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Suggested donation is $5.

The Cottagers clam bake is Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Sailing Camp. This year the theme is Caribbean Style and the $55 fee helps contribute to the many Island charities the Cottagers fund each year. Good food, door prizes, music and dancing are on the menu. Stop by Cottagers’ Corner for tickets and information.

Next Wednesday is Grand Illumination Night and Tuesday is Make Your Own Lantern day at the Oak Bluffs library. Preregistration is required, so contact the library today.

I understand new parks department director Marc Rivers was responsible for moving the lifeguard stand at the Inkwell and Pay Beach to the left of the big jetty. Good move. Polar Bear Caroline Hunter reported 92 bears in the water one morning last week.

Head and Heart had its Philanthropy on the Vineyard Summit this week. Founder Christal Jackson brings people together from around the country to discuss solutions in the area of philanthropy. Attendees included Michael Smith, White House Director of Social Innovation, MSNBC’s Joy Reid and Toure’ and Vineyarders Freada and Mitch Kapor, along with featured honoree, Comcast Foundation’s vice president Charisse Lillie.

A big complaint this summer is the paucity of cell service in Oak Bluffs. The assumption is that a high school committee has not yet approved a new cell tower slated for placement behind the ice rink. In our digital age that’s pretty shortsighted if true.

In a poorly worded taxpayer mailing the water department indicates “a $200 charge if one’s water meter is installed backwards” and it “is the owner’s responsibility to verify proper meter installation.” With all the attorneys in Oak Bluffs, I anticipate this causing a headline beginning with “class action suit” for the town.

Some chucklehead beat Gaia to the punch and knocked down all the artwork at Rock Henge on Sea View avenue last week.

BET and Centric (sponsors of the annual Oak Bluffs fireworks) return next week. Welcome back!

Keep your foot on a rock.

Send your Oak Bluffs news to: Skip@mvgazette.com.