Martha’s Vineyard is, of course, known for its beaches and endless summer breezes. But it is also known for its theatre; after all, the Island has been a haven for artists for, well, what do you think those whalers did for fun?
Featherstone Center for the Arts is paying homage to the Island’s rich theatre history with its current exhibit, The Art of Costume Design: Celebrating 30 Years at the Vineyard Playhouse. The exhibit is being guest-curated by Vineyard Playhouse artistic director MJ Bruder Munafo.
What sort of wonderful things have the kids at Sense of Wonder been dreaming up? Papier mâché creatures, see-through Saran Wrap sculptures, dioramas, plaster relief paintings, and acrylic paintings. . . . for starters.
On Sunday, April 1, Ann Smith put the finishing touches on Featherstone’s exhibit — The Art of Intaglio which featured the work of Washington Ledesma, Beldan K. Radcliffe and Nick Thayer. Sharry and Dave Grunden walked to the exhibit through the Southern Woodlands from their home in Oak Bluffs.
Silver-toned gelatin may sound like an expensive and dangerous dessert, but be assured it isn’t. Vineyard resident and photographer Janet Woodcock will give a talk about her art – traditional silver-toned gelatin photography – on Saturday, June 9, at 5 p.m. at the Louisa Gould Gallery located at 54 Main street in Vineyard Haven.
Oil paintings by Susan Johnson are on exhibit this month at the Chilmark Bank. Ms. Johnson studied en plein air painting in Tuscany with Boston University last summer. She has since utilized this style with a focus on Beetlebung Farm. Eighteen landscape paintings will be on display.
This winter Ms. Johnson will continue this project with the Vermont College of Fine Art, and she has been accepted into the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts, a distance learning program with international residencies.
Calling all Island artists, the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Visual Arts (MVCVA) has declared that supporting and encouraging creative endeavors is the new focus of this arts organization. And they are putting money where their mouth is with grant money available for artists of all mediums..
Applications are being accepted until April 1 and are available on the MVCVC Web site at artmv.org or by contacting Renee Balter at 508-696-7643 or rebalter@yahoo.com.
Ever wonder how the Artisans Festival began, what they were like in the early days, and even, perhaps, where they are headed? Well, on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m., Andrea Rogers, the maestro behind what has become a Vineyard institution (and an impressive broom maker too) is giving a talk at the Vineyard Haven Public Library.
The library knows how to treat its visitors too; refreshments will be served following the talk.
There is a new gallery in town, one where you can build your muscle mass or rack up some aces while enjoying the aesthetic pleasures of Island photographers.
The gallery is located at the Vineyard Tennis Workout and Spa, on Airport Road in Edgartown. Serving up the first show is photographer Alida O’Loughlin. There will be an opening reception held on Friday, Feb. 24 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Ms. O’Loughlin is also the gallery coordinator and interested photographers should call her at 508-693-1823.
Renaissance House, a retreat for artists and writers in Oak Bluffs, is accepting applications for its 11th year of operation.
Renaissance House is sponsored by the Helene Johnson and Dorothy West Foundation for artists in need. Both women were writers of the Harlem Renaissance. Ms. Johnson died in 1995 and Ms. West in 1998.
The program is from June to October in Oak Bluffs. A resident can stay for one or two weeks.
