Della Hardman was a toddler when she first visited Martha’s Vineyard in the 1920s. As her grandson Wole Coaxum would put it a full century later: “She had the Vineyard in her bones ever since.”
Ms. Hardman dedicated most of her life and career to the arts: art history, pottery, weaving and much more. But after she retired, the Vineyard became her full-time job. She threw herself into the community with passion and care, getting involved with the Oak Bluffs Public Library, the Cottagers and writing the Oak Bluffs town column for the Vineyard Gazette.
In 2005, the last year of Ms. Hardman’s life, a group of her former students from Western State College reached out to the town of Oak Bluffs to organize an event commemorating her impact. Family, friends and community members have gathered ever since on the last Saturday of July to celebrate Della Hardman Day.
This year’s event takes place on Saturday, July 25, beginning at 4 p.m. at Ocean Park.
Mr. Coaxum said that his mother helped pioneer the tradition in its early years.
“My mom, Andrea Taylor, for the longest time has been the keeper of the flame of the Della Hardman Day,” he said. “She was Gladys Knight, I was a Pip.”
In addition to commemorating Ms. Hardman’s legacy, the day includes guest speakers who share her passion for the arts and community engagement. This year, Oak Bluffs will host Farah Jasmine Griffin of Columbia University in conversation with filmmaker Mara Brock Akil, creator of Girlfriends and the Netflix series Forever.
Mr. Coaxum praised Ms. Brock Akil’s storytelling abilities and connected her achievements to the theme of this year’s celebration: Our Stories, Our Legacy. The theme is inspired by Ms. Hardman’s and Ms. Taylor’s time at Boston University, in the African American and Black Diaspora program there, which reinforced the importance of giving a voice to every story.
“Each of us has a unique story to tell, and one that is a learning opportunity for others,” said Mr. Coaxum.
Having watched his grandmother embrace the Island community, Mr. Coaxum is proud to carry on her mission of inclusivity and outreach.
“Her legacy was one of celebrating and recognizing all people, one of encouraging and telling everybody’s story,” he said.
Another core principle for Ms. Hardman was her commitment to living life actively and with awareness. Each week, she concluded her Vineyard Gazette town column with the phrase “savor the moment,” which became her catchphrase and eventually the tagline of Della Hardman Day.
Reflecting on his grandmother’s philosophy, Mr. Coaxum said he sees the phrase as a call to appreciate every day — not just the ones on which big events or milestones take place.
“It’s almost another form of gratitude,” he said. “Recognizing that the time we have in places like Ocean Park on a Saturday and on the Vineyard is pretty special.... It’s a good rallying cry for all of us as we go through very busy and sometimes challenging times.”
Mr. Coaxum gives thanks to partners of the event such as Featherstone Center for the Arts, Back Door Donuts, Inkwell Beach Club and C’est La Vie. For him, their contributions as well as the overwhelming support of community members has made the celebration feel like “a family reunion.”
“It’s a community event,” said Mr. Coaxum. “We think that is what makes the Vineyard special, Oak Bluffs special, this event special. It’s just a community supporting each other, and I want to express gratitude to that.”
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