They may not be the heaviest fish in Edgartown, but the entrants to Bass in the Grass are just as prize worthy.
Over 30 artists, sponsored by Island businesses, created fish-inspired pieces as part of the annual derby celebration of creativity. A reception was held Thursday night at the Carnegie Heritage Center and the art is on display there for the next month.
Some of the fish are intricate landscapes painted on wooden silhouettes, others are made of metal or materials scavenged from around the Island.
The event is also a fundraiser, with the unique pieces available for purchase. The money raised is split between the artists, the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby’s scholarship fund and the Edgartown Board of Trade, which runs the event. The art is bid on through an online auction that runs through Oct. 20.
According to Erin Ready, the executive director of the board of trade, the event has raised $62,000 for the scholarship fund over the past six years.
Several of the pieces began their lives outdoors. Leah Fraumeni, who is a member of the derby committee in addition to being an artist, made a fish out of driftwood and beach rope she found on Squibnocket, Lobsterville and Menemsha.
“I do beach clean up and I thought it would make a beautiful design,” Ms. Fraumeni said at the reception.
Brad Tucker also drew from the beach for his piece. Mr. Tucker’s piece is a carved wood fish with a line of beach debris, including plants and crab legs, set in epoxy resin across the fish.
“I’ve been a child of the sea for a long time,” said Mr. Tucker.
He added that his collection of beach items was getting large, and this year he wanted to use some of it for Bass in the Grass.
“I needed to do a full purge of my shop,” he said. “I have all of these small pieces that would either get dusty or go to waste.”
Meg Mercier has participated in Bass on the Grass since the event’s inception six years ago.
“It’s so much fun to see how it has grown,” Ms. Mercier said. “I think part of the reason it has been so successful is because the artists have an incentive. The work gets better every year.”
The event was originally held in the grass of the mini-park on Edgartown’s main street, hence the name Bass in the Grass, but has since moved to the Carnegie Heritage Center.
“It used to be in the grass, and some people still miss it, but it is better for the art,” said Ms. Mercier.
Visit bassinthegrassmv.com for more information and to bid on the art.
Comments
Comment policy »