Simon. A famous name in arts and literature. Consider Neil Simon, simple Simon, Paul Simon, Carly Simon, Simon le Bon of Duran Duran, or the late and unlamented Simon Legree of Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
Minutes away from the main retail drag of Circuit avenue, in the arts district of Oak Bluffs, reads a sign: “PikNik: Art & Apparel. Expect anything.” The “expect anything” line encourages visions of Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain or other more radical, conceptual art pieces. In fact, PikNik is currently showing an abstract exhibit, which seems to fit “expect anything” expectations.
The opening reception for the 2008 season at the Alison Shaw Gallery is set for Saturday, May 24 from 4 to 7 p.m.
This year the gallery is showing work from Ms. Shaw’s many series of fine art photographs, unified by the theme of color. Gallery hours (after Saturday) will be Wednesday through Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. The gallery is at 88 Dukes County avenue, Oak Bluffs. More information is available by calling 508-696-7429.
This past fall, three American women went camping with the Qashqai nomads in the mountains of southwestern Iran. They came back from their travels with amazing stories and, perhaps more impressive still, with the hand-woven Qashqai rugs known as Gabbehs.
Now these Gabbeh rugs, made by small collectives of nomadic women, are the focus of a two-week trunk show at the Mansion House in Vineyard Haven.
The Field Gallery will host a Cancer Support Group benefit exhibition, with a free public reception on Sunday, August 24, from 5 to 7 p.m.
This is the seventh year that the gallery has hosted a benefit to aid local causes. A portion of the proceeds from sales of original art work will benefit the Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group, a nonprofit that helps Islanders living with cancer.
Artists represented include Ben Johnson, Janet Woodcock, Jhenn Watts and Marlee Brewster Brockman. Artwork also can be viewed and purchased online atfieldgallery.com.
Eisenhauer Gallery’s new show, Island Inspired, showcases artists who work with the Island as their muse, in particular John MacGowan, Eric Abrecht and Mikel Wintermantel.
Jessica Pisano, founder of Belushi Pisano Gallery and an established artist, opens a new solo exhibition with a reception tonight, Friday, August 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the gallery on State Road in Vineyard Haven.
Over the past decade, Ms. Pisano has combined her black and white photography with painting. Using her photography as her canvas, Ms. Pisano paints with media including, oil, pastel and acrylics. In this series of new work, she will showcase her mixed media work presented on birch panel, tile and antique tin or wood frames.
Vineyard Haven artist Marston Clough is exhibiting original prints at Island Art Gallery-Kennedy Studios in Vineyard Haven. The works include etchings, linocuts, woodcuts and lithographs. Each print is an original, done by hand, and the artist prints very limited editions, numbering fewer than 10, all with strong Vineyard themes — lobstermen and fishermen at work and boats at rest.
The artist studied drawing at the Massachusetts College of Art and etching and printmaking at the Worcester Art Museum.
The African Artists’ Community Development project will be selling crafts from Ghana, Niger, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe on Tuesday, July 8, at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury from 5 to 9 p.m. Items for sale include baskets, woven grass ceremonial cloth, Tuareg silver jewelry, malachite jewelry, carved wooden bowls and salad servers, animal and human sculpture, brilliant khanga printed cloth and more.
Alison Shaw Gallery Fine are photography of Alison Shaw. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m., or by appointment at 88 Dukes County avenue, Oak Bluffs, tel. 508-696-7429 or alisonshaw.com.
Current exhibit: Blue opens Saturday, August 9, with artist’s reception from 4 to 7 p.m. as part of Dukes County Avenue Arts District stroll. Continues through August 22.
