Art, Art Everywhere

To be an art lover on Martha’s Vineyard during Memorial Day weekend is to be awash in color, hue, style and substance. Take a stroll almost anywhere on the Island and the sounds of art appreciation, not to mention wine and snacks, will lure you in for a bounty of riches. But why take a chance on missing out on any one artist? Check out the list below and start your motor running.

The Oak Bluffs Arts District opens its doors extra wide this weekend. All of the galleries on the Dukes County avenue strip, plus the brand new Shephard Fine ArtSpace at 8 Uncas avenue and the Groovy Sue Gallery at 9 Spruce avenue, are kicking into gear. For ease of operation they are as follows: Alison Shaw, Dragonfly, Periwinkle Studio, PikNik, Amity Custom Ink, Stephanie Wolf Jewelry Designs, Lucinda’s Enamels and Red Mannequin. It’s a can’t-miss stroll from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, and all of the galleries so close in proximity you barely work up a thirst going from one to the next. The Groovy Sue Gallery reception is from 7 to 9 p.m.

In Edgartown the Old Sculpin Gallery is celebrating the work of Brian Kirkpatrick, among other artists. Mr. Kirkpatrick (see painting above) was once described in the these pages as having a style reminiscent of Grandma Moses. Recently, to his delight, the premier collector of Ms. Moses’ work added one of his paintings to the collection. They will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. all weekend long, including Monday.

Also in Edgartown the Eisenhauer Gallery located at 38 North Water street recently announced the addition of Jonathan Ralston to their gallery. Mr. Ralston joins the staff as both as an artist and as gallery director. His paintings feature architectural references from around the world. Check out his work at the opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 28.

Ovid Osborn Ward, a well-known Vineyard artist, announces the opening of a new venue for his original artwork, also in Edgartown. An opening celebration will be held at Post Office Square in the offices of Homes on Martha’s Vineyard on Sunday, May 29, from 3 to 8 p.m.

Across the Island in Vineyard Haven the fare is no less bountiful. The Louisa Gould Gallery is holding a reception for two shows on May 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. One is a group show featuring work by Doug Kent, Cindy Kane, Chris Pendergast, Donna Blackburn, Alan Eddy, Gray Park and Maya Farber. The other show features John Holladay who was a licensed artist for the NFL and NCAA in the 1980s.

Further up-Island at the Davis House Gallery in West Tisbury, the Whitings are celebrating their 30th summer season showing Allen Whiting’s paintings and drawings in their home at 985 State Road. The gallery is open this weekend from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

And to round out the weekend, on Sunday, May 29, Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs is holding an opening reception for the Art of Jewelry with guest curator Anne Besse Shepherd from 4 to 6 p.m.

Go art. Go beauty.