Walking the dogs, I’ve noticed artists and their easels set up just about everywhere.  These real life encounters with the Island’s prolific art scene remind me that I’ve been remiss.  And, though it’s difficult to leave the beach on these hot July days, there are no excuses -  most galleries keep late hours and, even better, schedule openings in the late afternoon and into the evening. Open to all, these events are a great opportunity to interact with the Island’s artistic community.

Vineyard Inspirations
Trying to tally up all the shows opened or opening in the coming week,  I ran out of fingers and had to move on to my sandaled toes. Still,  I have hopes of catching up with at least some of what’s out there by stopping in to view the multi-media show, Tone and Texture, at Vineyard Haven’s Louisa Gould Gallery, the new abstracts at Pik Nik in Oak Bluffs (don’t miss the amazing  landscapes by Max Decker!), ending up at the Dragonfly Gallery to see Jain Tarnower’s one-woman show of out-sized animal canvases.

Art from Home and Around the World
Out at Featherstone Center for the Arts, Jennifer McCurdy will be demonstrating her unique and highly evolved sculpted pottery technique while on Tuesdays, the campus hosts its weekly Fine Arts and Flea Market .  The start of August brings exotic art into the spotlight both at the Tabernacle where a show of global tribal art will benefit the MV NAACP and at the Aquinnah Cultural Center where Huichol art and crafts from Mexico will be displayed and sold.

Art: Not Just for Viewing
If you’re an artist and not just an aficionado, you’ll no doubt already be preparing for the annual All Island Art Show and Junior Art Show, August 4th & 5th.  See you there!

Looking for more to do?... Check out MVOL.com's Calendar of Events