The Year in Arts on Martha's Vineyard 2018
Chilmark Potluck Jams kept Islanders entertained during the winter months.
Chilmark Potluck Jams kept Islanders entertained during the winter months.
Children tugged at heart strings and on their bows during strings concert.
Children tugged at heart strings and on their bows during strings concert.
Compagnie Hervé Koubi received numerous standing ovations as part of The Yard's winter series.
Compagnie Hervé Koubi received numerous standing ovations as part of The Yard's winter series.
High school performed West Side Story in February.
High school performed West Side Story in February.
Minnesingers celebrated 50 years with current choir and alumni from years past.
Minnesingers celebrated 50 years with current choir and alumni from years past.
Margot Datz unveiled her underwater themed murals at the Edgartown Library.
Margot Datz unveiled her underwater themed murals at the Edgartown Library.
The Yard presented three pieces created during its Bessie Schonberg residencies in June.
The Yard presented three pieces created during its Bessie Schonberg residencies in June.
Artist M-C Lamarre specializes in painting murals of Fenway Park's Green Monster.
Artist M-C Lamarre specializes in painting murals of Fenway Park's Green Monster.
Abe Pieciak at work on an osprey nest relief. A finished piece is on display at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital.
Abe Pieciak at work on an osprey nest relief. A finished piece is on display at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital.
Vineyard Arts Project is known for its multi-year residencies.
Vineyard Arts Project is known for its multi-year residencies.
Candy Shweder knew from her first pot that this was her calling.
Candy Shweder knew from her first pot that this was her calling.
Annual presentation at the Federated Church in Edgartown includes several Islanders reading parts of Frederick Douglass's famous speech.
Annual presentation at the Federated Church in Edgartown includes several Islanders reading parts of Frederick Douglass's famous speech.
Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr. said the future for independent journalism is bright despite upheaval in the industry.
Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr. said the future for independent journalism is bright despite upheaval in the industry.
Martha’s Vineyard Concert Series brought Mavis Staples to the Whaling Church to celebrate WMVY's 35 birthday.
Martha’s Vineyard Concert Series brought Mavis Staples to the Whaling Church to celebrate WMVY's 35 birthday.
Open-air music happened all over the Vineyard, just about every night of the week and usually for free.
Open-air music happened all over the Vineyard, just about every night of the week and usually for free.
The Granary Gallery acquired Thomas Hart Benton's 1926 train painting Going West.
The Granary Gallery acquired Thomas Hart Benton's 1926 train painting Going West.
Spike Lee filmed episodes of She's Gotta Have It on East Chop in August.
Spike Lee filmed episodes of She's Gotta Have It on East Chop in August.
Jack Yuen created a painting in real time on at Bad Martha’s Brewery.
Jack Yuen created a painting in real time on at Bad Martha’s Brewery.
Dance lovers turned out to witness Le Patin Libre's performance at the ice arena.
Dance lovers turned out to witness Le Patin Libre's performance at the ice arena.
Jennifer Joanou began her career as a fashion designer, then moved into photography. Her medium now is visual journaling.
Jennifer Joanou began her career as a fashion designer, then moved into photography. Her medium now is visual journaling.
Cecile Richards (left) was interviewed by Alexandra Styron (right) as part of the Author Series.
Cecile Richards (left) was interviewed by Alexandra Styron (right) as part of the Author Series.
Former President Bill Clinton appeared before a sold-out audience and discussed his book, The President Is Missing.
Former President Bill Clinton appeared before a sold-out audience and discussed his book, The President Is Missing.
The centerpiece of the Best Fest is the parade on Circuit avenue.
The centerpiece of the Best Fest is the parade on Circuit avenue.
When not working at the West Tisbury post office, artist Jack Ryan is in his studio for many hours at a time.
When not working at the West Tisbury post office, artist Jack Ryan is in his studio for many hours at a time.
Lady Fest raised money for Connect to End Violence, a Martha’s Vineyard Community Services program.
Lady Fest raised money for Connect to End Violence, a Martha’s Vineyard Community Services program.
Martha’s Vineyard, it is fair to say, could also be dubbed Artful Island. Creativity is everywhere and encompasses every season, from the short days and long nights of winter to the hustle and bustle of summer. Year-rounders, seasonal residents, and visitors brought here from the many arts organizations who call this place home ensure that the energy of creativity continues to delight, inspire and educate all year long.
This year the Gazette added a new series to its summer mix called In the Studio. Each week a reporter and photographer would watch a work being created, from music to pottery, painting to sculpture, from Jennifer Joanou to Jack Yuen, Candy Shweder to Abe Pieciak.
Bill Clinton returned this summer, this time as an author of the novel The President Is Missing, written with James Patterson. The Yard continued to expand its programming from summer to winter, and the Mavericks had everyone dancing in the aisles at the Performing Arts Center thanks to the Martha’s Vineyard Concert Series, which also brought the legendary Mavis Staples to our shores, among many other acts.
Spike Lee filmed episodes of She’s Gotta Have It, and Scott Frank told the story of how he came up with the name for his Emmy-award winning series Godless while driving through Chilmark listening to MVY Radio.
The Martha's Vineyard Film Festival opened its March festival with Chappaquiddick, the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival brought Barry Jenkins to the Island, and the Martha's Vineyard Film Society brought the world to the Vineyard again with its International Film Festival held each September.
The Granary Gallery acquired Thomas Hart Benton’s 1926 train painting Going West, Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr. told a sold-out crowd at the Whaling Church that the future for independent journalism is bright despite upheaval in the industry, and the Martha's Vineyard Playhouse premiered The Room Where I Was Held by David Zax.
The regional high school’s production of West Side Story filled the performing arts center to overflowing for an entire weekend of shows, and the Minnesingers celebrated their 50th anniversary.
Missis Biskis rocked outdoor stages all over the Island, including the second annual Lady Fest on Circuit avenue in Oak Bluffs. Sean McMahon was also no stranger to venues, especially The Ritz, where every Sunday night he took up residence with his Dirty Gospel set lists, now called Holy Rock and Roll Revival. The future of Island music also hit the Ritz as a group of local 14-year olds known as Slammy B and the Electric Snakes debuted a set list of hard rock and roll, proving that Jimi Hendricks never goes out of style.
It was a very artful year.