More details have emerged on a proposed arts and humanities center in West Tisbury that would play host to classes, discussion space, weddings and more, drawing support and questions during a hearing before the Martha’s Vineyard Commission Thursday,

In written and videoconferenced testimony since the hearing for Stillpoint opened in early October, dozens of Islanders have expressed support for Thomas Bena’s concept of a gathering space for educational conversations and outdoor contemplation. Mr. Bena is a principal in Stillpoint Martha’s Vineyard Inc., which owns the property.

Situated on approximately 13 acres just north of Polly Hill Arboretum, Stillpoint would be open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for classes and nature walks, according to Mr. Bena. About 50 to 60 classes a month would take place, with group sizes from 10 to 40 people. Evening events in summer would involve 40 to 60 patrons and three to six staffers or volunteers, two to three nights a week.

The proposal also includes hosting events, like weddings, of 80 or more people twice a week in the offseason, and once a week in the summer. Applicants have proposed about 40 parking spots for the venue. Future plans include the construction of a 20 by 30-foot workshop.

But even as details have slowly emerged regarding the property, members of the commission asked for further clarification Thursday night about Stillpoint’s precise intentions for the mostly-undeveloped land and its 3,200-square-foot barn.

Hearing officer Doug Sederholm questioned Mr. Bena, noting that while the Stillpoint proposal bans outdoor amplified music at weddings, it permits any other outdoor amplified music between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

“Among your core values are quiet and nature, as stated in your presentation,” Mr. Sederholm said.

“Given your two closest abutters are Polly Hill Arboretum and the Land Bank, [both] dedicated to the quiet enjoyment of nature, how is allowing any amplified music on your property … consistent with your mission statement?” he asked Mr. Bena, who said he’s simply trying to allow for the possibility of a guitarist plugging in on occasion.

Stillpoint’s mission statement is: “To create a gathering space for educational offerings, including but not limited to discussions, workshops, silent retreats, and the arts.”

While Mr. Bena is asking to host an unlimited number of weddings with fewer than 80 people, and up to four with as many as 100, he told the commission he’s committed to working in concert with neighbors.

“The major concern when I’ve talked with abutters has been large, loud weddings,” Mr. Bena said.

“It’s not in our mission to have large, loud parties and weddings … but [wedding business] is a funding stream we want to keep on the table,” he said.

“I’m just not the kind of person who’s going to produce something that’s going to ruffle the neighbors’ feathers, but I do want keep some options open,” Mr. Bena added.

Stillpoint supporters who spoke Nov. 3 included the property’s new, nearest neighbors, Anna Fitch and Banker White, as well as Jennifer Randolph of the Northeast Native Network of Kinship and Healing

“It is everything I would want to provide services at … educational services, prevention services for young girls on what is a healthy relationship,” said Ms. Randolph, an Aquinnah Wampanoag tribal member who founded the community’s first domestic assault program.

Stillpoint’s acres and the adjoining land bank property offer contact with the undeveloped Island that her people need, she said.

“That preservation of land and that space is so important to us,” Ms. Randoph said.

Land preservation concerns led other speakers to urge caution and apply more limits to Mr. Bena’s vision, which by Nov. 3 had expanded to include potential housing for future employees although Stillpoint initially had been proposed for non-residential uses only.

“While we recognize the need for flexibility, we also recognize the need for restraint,” said West Tisbury resident David Foster, expressing concern that there still may be more to the plan that hasn’t been disclosed.

“The conservation future of this property should be preeminent,” said Mr. Foster, who joined the online meeting with West Tisbury resident Tess Bramhall after the two also submitted a letter to the written record.

Ms. Bramhall is the founder and Mr. Foster a board member of the Land Protection Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Martha’s Vineyard.

“There is a lot of uncertainty abut how this project will be financed and one has to wonder about what new phases might appear … to make this a viable venture,” Mr. Foster said.

Commissioners continued the hearing to Nov. 17 in order to have updated nitrogen projections for the property.