Galleries : Strolling the Edgartown Gallery Scene
By Samantha McCoy
Published: July 10, 2008
Every year Edgartown hosts an evening of art when in-town galleries unite for a common cause: to gratify the senses with an array of colorful artwork from local, national and international artists. This year, the Edgartown Gallery Stroll takes place Thursday, July 10, from 6 to 8 pm. Though each of the nine participating galleries will showcase their own artists, the feelings of collegial warmth and excitement are ubiquitous.
"We have wonderful galleries here in Edgartown," Carlin Eliot, owner of the Carlin Fine Art gallery notes, adding, "[The stroll] gives people a real feel as to what this community is about in terms of artwork."
Carlin Fine Art sits off the corner of Main Street and South Water Street. The charming, cozy space is filled with large contemporary artwork from all over the world. For the stroll, Carlin Fine Art will feature works by Alexei Butirskiy, a young artist from Moscow who in the past five years has gained international fame for his realistic and somewhat mystical portraits and city landscapes. Though Mr. Butirskiy will not be returning to the Vineyard in time for the event, Ms. Eliot will take orders from those interested in personalizing his giclees on canvas.
Courtesy of carlinfineart.com
The Edgartown Fine Art Gallery on South Summer, offers a more traditional collection. For the stroll, the gallery will feature Sergio Roffo, whose oil landscapes, according to gallery coordinator Alex Leckerling, "captivate the essence of charm and beauty on Martha's Vineyard." Ms. Leckerling is especially pleased that the Italian artist, who lives in Scituate, will be attending the opening. "When the artists are here they are able to give more insight into their work," she says.
The Willoughby Art Gallery is framed by a small garden on North Water Street. The gallery will be showcasing the works of Elizabeth W. Leary and her daughter Elizabeth M. Leary, both accomplished and internationally recognized artists who will be attending the opening. Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby have been featuring the artists every July for more than a decade, and love to share details of the artists' works. Mrs. Willoughby, referring to the gallery stroll, says, "It's something social, something that you don't have to belong to a club to attend. Anyone is welcome."
Courtesy of debragaines.com
The North Water Gallery across the street represents a blend of local and regional artists. For the stroll, the gallery will showcase the work of three artists: local bronze sculptor Don Wilks and longtime summer resident and painter George Bramhall, who will both be attending the opening, and California artist Ken Auster.
Debra Gaines, owner of Debra M. Gaines Fine Arts, moved into her gallery on Winter Street this year and is excited to participate in the stroll after years as a bystander. The gallery focuses on Ms. Gaines's vibrant landscape and seascape photography, but will feature husband Warren Gaines' soft and tranquil pastel paintings for the stroll.
Though the Christina Gallery, Penumbra Photographs and the Hammond Harkins Gallery will not have artists present, they boast a unique blend of specialties. The Christina Gallery will focus on its summer exhibition, which features a collection of antique maps. Penumbra Photographs specializes in 19th and 20th century vintage photographs and will showcase works by the well-known German photographer, Chargesheimer. The Hammond Harkins Gallery on North Summer Street will present a collection of works that include Paul Hamilton's impressionistic landscapes, Babette Herschberger's colorful abstractions, and two of John Stobart's masterpieces.
Courtesy of Christina.com
The Eisenhauer Gallery is this year's facilitator of the event and will be exhibiting an international show, including sculpture and paintings from Belgium, ink works from China, realist marine paintings from New Zealand and paintings of fishermen from the Italian coast. Each featured artist will be paired with his or her favorite drink (which range from tea to gin and tonic). Live music will play in the courtyard outside the gallery as part of a collaboration with the Colonial Inn and Chesca's to provide live music every Thursday evening in the summer.
Elizabeth Eisenhauer, owner of the gallery, is enthused about showcasing the individuality of each participating gallery: "I feel like all of us have really begun to hone in on what we are known for. We all really have our own separate style and it's helping us be more of a community because we appreciate the diversity of each other." Though it is important that the night remains fun and laid-back, Ms. Eisenhauer notes the benefits of being regarded as a town where people go to get really special pieces of art.
Use the Park & Ride at the Triangle and take the shuttle into town.
Samantha McCoy attends Cornell University, and is a frequent contributor to The Times.
