Library Art Exhibit

Marianne Neill will be showing recent gouache paintings and pastels at the Chilmark Free Public Library from Saturday, July 26 through August 15.

The show can also be seen during library hours, every day except Sunday.

Robert Jones had the daunting task of settling the estate of the renowned African-American artist Lois Mailou Jones after she died in 1998 at the age of 93. Imagine his amazement at rooting around in the basement of his cousin’s Washington, D.C. home and uncovering a cobweb-draped box that contained a collection of masterpiece textile designs Ms. Jones had created 75 years before.

The Field Gallery invites all to a free artists’ reception Sunday June 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. for an exhibition of new work by Ben Johnson and Janet Woodcock.

Returning artist Ben Johnson’s paintings celebrate the natural world. Images of birds and their surroundings depict the landscape in a bold and colorful style. Mr. Johnson draws his inspiration from the spacious landscape of Martha’s Vineyard. Recently reviewed in American Art Collector (June 2008), he is certainly an artist to watch.

Ellen Liman has long had a love affair with Martha’s Vineyard — in particular with Vineyard beaches, Vineyard Sound and Vineyard flowers. But her love affair is more than that of the usual seasonal visitor. She’s been coming to the Island for 22 years. Each day she takes out her oil paints and canvases and, in vivid colors, reproduces for Island walls and the walls of Vineyard-loving off-Islanders what she sees in nature.

Studio Sale Saturday

Doors open tomorrow 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Vineyard Playhouse for a one-day studio sale of overstock, seconds and samples from Island artisans.

Mostly Barns is the title of Wendy Weldon’s solo show at the Shaw Cramer Gallery opening today with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m.

Continuing her fascination with the shapes of barns and stone walls, she explores new inspirations of composition and color. Many of the paintings explore the relationship of two barns in various configurations.

Linda Thompson

The Bank of Martha’s Vineyard at Beetlebung Corner in Chilmark will host a free opening reception today, Friday, August 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. for an exhibit of Vineyard landscapes by Chilmark artist Linda Thompson.

The oil paintings depict a range of Island views, from the stillness of a sunset on the rocky North Shore to the colorful clusters of mailboxes along Island roads.

The exhibit will be open during regular bank hours through August 21. All are welcome. For details, call 508-645-9095.

The Louisa Gould Gallery is celebrating the completion of its winter renovations, reopening today with its annual Spring Show.

The artists’ reception will be tomorrow, Saturday, May 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. with refreshments and appetizers created by chef Liberty Russell. All are welcome to kick off season.

Artists exhibiting work in the Spring Show are: Caryn King, Donna Malcomber Blackburn, Pia Post, Ovid Ward, Maya Farber, Louisa Gould, Carolyn Warren, Leslie S. Smith, James Masek and Washington Ledesma.

Deborah Colter Show

The original mixed media works of local Edgartown artist Deborah T. Colter will be featured in a solo show opening Saturday, July 26, at the Cousen Rose Gallery in Oak Bluffs. There will be an opening reception Saturday, July 26, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Lanny McDowell is having an opening this week that can take place in anyone’s home or office. He has opened a gallery on the Internet showing his fine art avian photographs. Anyone can go there by pressing a few buttons on the computer.

Most Vineyard artists have openings at galleries. They schedule a day in the height of summer to roll out their work, send out a box full of invitations and wait for the crowds to come. A reception usually includes wine and cheese and then after a week or so, the work comes down.