Memorial Day weekend marks the opening of most art galleries across the Island. Artists have busied themselves all winter with the creative process and now they’re ready to share.
It may not be obvious what a garter, a spool of thread, yellow lace, old keys, feathers, antique sheet music and cowry shells all have in common, but once inside Suesan Stovall’s garage-converted art studio, it becomes clear.
Just after a Labor Day tradition of breakfast at Art Cliff Diner with friends, Don McKillop and Susan Davy sit together on a navy leather couch in their living room. Paintings cover the walls, sculptures rest on end tables and a rack of postcards stands tall in the corner. In addition to this being their living room, it is also the Dragonfly Fine Arts Gallery which the couple owns and operates.
Columbus Day weekend will mark an end and herald a beginning for Mr. McKillop and Ms. Davy.
Last year the North Water Gallery in Edgartown held a plein air event that included several of their artists taking to the streets of Edgartown during a weeklong period and producing works of art to be sold at the end of the week. Art lovers enjoyed the event so much that this year it has been expanded to include the Christina Gallery and Piknik Art and Apparel, both also located in Edgartown.
The Gay Head Gallery is nestled amid a stand of scrub oak along State Road in Aquinnah. An electric vehicle charges in the driveway and inside the cozy home/gallery artwork hangs on every wall. The art depicts scenes from around the Island — a thunderstorm rolls in over the south shore, a stiff wind blows through a green pasture. But the art, while beautiful, doesn’t just please the eye. The current show is called Changing Coastlines, and the art details the way that erosion is shaping, re-shaping and, in some cases, destroying the Martha’s Vineyard coastline.
Julian Wise sits examining a series of photographs in his new store Island Images located in Oak Bluffs.
“Out of all of them, these four are good enough,” he says. “I could use them professionally in the gallery.”
The pair of photographers nod as Mr. Wise explains to them what works about their pictures. He encourages the artists to go with their gut, bring in a few more photographs and he will sell the work in the gallery.
Sabine and Simone Geary, aged 15 and 13 respectively, gather their portfolios and head out.
Kate Feiffer has made a name for herself writing children’s books and even transforming one of her books, My Mom Is Trying to Ruin My Life, into a play that ran off-Broadway this winter. The daughter of famed illustrator Jules Feiffer, she has not nudged up against his domain. Until now, that is.
On Saturday, August 17, Ms. Feiffer unveils her own talent with illustrations at the Vineyard Playhouse gallery located at 24 Church street in Vineyard Haven. The opening reception is from 4 to 8 p.m. and the exhibit will continue through August 29.
Curators and the simply curious will enjoy the annual Arts District Stroll in Oak Bluffs tomorrow, August 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. All along Dukes County avenue, galleries will open their doors to visitors and offer a look at new work while providing refreshments and entertainment. Each gallery will serve up its own welcome.
Vineyard Gardens continues its tradition of merging the beauty of nature with artistic merit. Each Friday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. the nursery hosts a Gallery in the Gardens event, featuring a new artist each week.
Tonight, August 2, Valentine Estabrook shares the spotlight with the foliage. There will be champagne, too.
