The Vineyard has long been a haven for artists. Heading into Memorial Day weekend, art gallery doors will be thrown open for the season, with paintings, sculpture, ceramics and other objects ready to meet their public. Most of the season’s formal shows await June or July start dates, but a handful of galleries have lined up events for this coming holiday weekend.

The annual Friends of Family Planning Benefit Art Show takes place today through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the new Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury. On hand will be the usual large roster of accomplished Island artists. Free admission and parking.

The Eisenhauer Gallery at 38 North Water street in Edgartown will be putting on the ritz for Memorial Day Weekend, just as it’s done every year since its grand opening in 2000. This Saturday, May 29 from 6 to 8 p.m., owner Elizabeth Eisenhauer will present artists Tjasa Owen, Joshua Smith, Peter Roux and Petria Mitchell. The gallery’s signature drink for such occasions is the Dark and Stormy, a potent mix of rum and ginger beer. Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish will play their classic blues.

The Dragonfly Fine Arts Gallery at 91 Dukes County Road in Oak Bluffs celebrates its 15th anniversary season under the aegis of new owners, Susan Davy and Don McKillop, now entering their second season. A special reception will be held Saturday, May 29 from 4 to 7 p.m. Located in the Oak Bluffs arts district, the gallery will exhibit its artists’ works all season rather than in two-week increments, until closing in mid-October. A continuously running slide show will acquaint visitors with the full panoply.

The Granary Gallery at 636 Old County Road in West Tisbury will unveil a weekend trunk show of beautiful table linens, totes and scarves by artist Carol Maguire. The dates are May 29, 30 and 31, with a special 2 p.m. presentation on Saturday as Ms. Maguire provides a painting demonstration.

The Louisa Gould Gallery in Vineyard Haven will present a Memorial Day group show of new works by Doug Kent, Jeffrey P’an, Leslie Smith, Alan Eddy, Howard Park, Maya Farber, John Halladay and Donna Blackburn. Show dates stretch from May 26 to June 13, with a reception on Sunday, May 30, from 5 to 7 p.m., with live music.

Vineyard artists/owners Elizabeth Cecil, Carrie Mae Smith and Greg Watson host a grand opening party for their new gallery Pep Art, on Sunday, May 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. at its Vineyard Haven location on Beach street extension, off Five Corners.

Featherstone’s Sunday reception honors Patricia Carlet’s paintings, from 4 to 6 p.m. in Oak Bluffs.

Apart from the special early shows, most Island galleries will be open on Memorial Day weekend. What follows is a partial lineup to get you started.

In a West Tisbury carriage house at 548 Edgartown Road, artist Hermine Hull will open her gallery for the summer season this weekend. New hours this year are Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Her oils and Ruth Kirchmeier’s woodcuts are on display.

The Field Gallery at 1050 State Road in West Tisbury, famously located across from Alley’s General Store, welcomes visitors to the big grassy lawn stocked with dancing figures by the late sculptor, Tom Maley. Doors will open on June 20 for an exhibition of the works of Kenneth Pillsworth, Jeff Hoerle and Jhenn Watts.

The Gossamer Gallery on State Road in Chilmark, owned by Joan Merry, is continuing to showcase Shona sculpture, a blend of a 1,000-year-old stone carving tradition from native materials with a deep spiritual intention of the artists.

Also up-Island, at 367 Lambert’s Cove Road, is Saltwater Gallery, presenting the work of owner and artist Ashley Medowski, purveyor of Island landscapes and mixed media such as rhinestones set in wood, antique lace stitched into canvas with jewelry and sea glass. Ms. Medowski has set her season start for early July.

Allen Whiting’s Davis House Gallery continues to be a collectors’ favorite. Island visitors should stop at Martha’s Vineyard Glassworks as well, and Treehouse Studios.

Carol Craven will shortly be unpacking her treasures in a new gallery location at 497 State Road in West Tisbury. The respected Ms. Craven is in her 15th year of operation on the Vineyard. Her vision includes hanging the work of an unknown, though highly-talented artist alongside a Benton, an Avery or a Porter. A group show opens June 9.

In Vineyard Haven, the Shaw Cramer Gallery at 56 Main street, on the second floor (definitely worth the walk upstairs) will be open daily May through September. Owner Nancy Shaw Cramer specializes in classic contemporary fine crafts and paintings by Island and nationally acclaimed artists.

The Simon Gallery at 54 Main street in Vineyard Haven is home to Peter Simon’s iconic photographs and Ronni Simon’s gorgeous beaded jewelry. Stop in and say hello to both Simons, who are usually in situ, and ask Ronni Simon about her expanding schedule of knitting groups and classes.

The ever-exciting Cousen Rose Gallery, owned by Zita Cousens at 71 Upper Circuit avenue, presents works by, among others, Deborah T. Colter, Debra Gaines, Steve London, Marietta Cleasby and Larry Johnson. Drop by during the summer and you’re certain to happen upon a celebrity book signing, a master kids’ art class, or the debut of a new artist about to be embraced into the Cousen fold.

The Oak Bluffs Arts District strolls along the southern end of Dukes County avenue include Dragonfly, PikNik with its inventory of art and collectibles, and the Alison Shaw Gallery with the well-known photographer’s new and old works. Besides this Saturday’s receptions, proper strolls are scheduled for Saturday, July 10 and Saturday, August 14, both from 4 to 7 p.m.

The picturesque Old Sculpin Gallery, located across from the Chappy ferry in Edgartown on Dock street, features Island artists, a permanent collection of paintings, and museum artifacts. The gallery also hosts summer art classes for children and adults.

The North Water Gallery’s spring hours are Monday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Christina Gallery at North Water and Winter streets in Edgartown is open year-round. The two-story gallery houses traditional art, impressionism and expressionism by contemporary artists, plus works on paper by Renoir, Tissot, the Pissarro family, antique maps and nautical charts and more.

There’s plenty more Edgartown art centers, including John Stobart back with his beautiful maritime work, classic scrimshaw at Edgartown Scrimshaw on Main street, Carlin Fine Art on South Water and Willoughby Fine Art on North Water and more in between.

In Nevin Square a new artists’ consignment shop, Made Here on the Vineyard, is open 10 to 10 as a one-stop look at lots of artists and way to support them.

Likewise a boon to Island artists and art lovers alike, the Vineyard Artisans Festival is the only art show on the Island where you can meet and buy directly from Islanders who make their wares by hand, be it clothing, paintings, glassware, ceramics, even brooms. It runs May 29 and May 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at West Tisbury’s Grange Hall.

The All Island Art Show and Junior Art Show at the Tabernacle in the Camp Ground is set this year for Monday, August 2 for adult art, and Tuesday, August 3 for artists under 15.