Galleries : Jump-Start With Art
Every Memorial Day, the Friends of Family Planning of Martha's Vineyard jump-start the summer with a benefit art show, preceded by a gala preview party. But this year was a little different. The group has recently purchased a permanent space on State Road in Vineyard Haven for its clinic, home to clinical, educational, and advocacy programs for both men and women. This year the appeal was a little more urgent, and Vineyard artists responded.
"It's wonderful," said Judy Salosky, president of the Friends of Family Planning. "It was a reminder of the olden days of the show. People are buying, it's been incredibly busy."
At Thursday's bash, the Agricultural Hall was packed from end to end. Artists rubbed elbows with patrons. Volunteers served sweet pea risotto, salmon, and chicken con queso delectables whipped up by Jan Buhrman of Kitchen Porch Caterers. A long list of generous Island establishments donated the libations and desserts, and the familiar, popular pianist Jeremy Berlin added just the right jazzy note to the evening.
Through the holiday weekend, a steady stream of people gazed at the work of local artists and show volunteers were happily affixing red dots to the works that were sold.
Artists donate a portion of the sales price to the Friends of Family Planning.
"It's an institution," said Ms. Salosky. "It's that event in the spring when nobody's seen each other, and people come crawling out of the woodwork."
