For many years artist Kara Taylor’s gallery was located on Main street in Vineyard Haven. But this past summer she needed to find a new place to show her work. At first she focused on finding another spot in Vineyard Haven. A deal was almost made and then collapsed at the last minute. She widened her gaze to include up-Island, which would mean her gallery would have to be a destination spot rather than a place people might encounter on a casual stroll through town. Added pressure, of course, but over the years Ms. Taylor has made a name for herself and her art and perhaps the time was right.

On a drive up-Island she saw a woman moving out of the late Stan Murphy’s old gallery in Chilmark. She called the owners to see if it was available. The space seemed right, but even more importantly, the lineage of the gallery spoke to her. She had never met Mr. Murphy but remembers as a young girl seeing him once in Cronigs.

“I stared at him google-eyed,” she said. “I looked at his hands. He was one of the masters, the greats. He should be hanging in the Met.”

The gallery needed some work. “I tore out the carpeting and plastered over the peg board,” Ms. Taylor said.

The Kara Taylor gallery opened yesterday, May 23, and will be open all weekend, including Memorial Day. During June it will be open Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. An official opening reception will be held on Sunday, July 7.

To see Ms. Taylor’s current work visit karataylorart.com. Better yet, visit her new gallery located at 24 South Road in Chilmark.