Thirty-one years ago, when the “new” Agricultural Hall was being built, Andrea Rogers was inspired to start the Vineyard Artisans Festival. She notes that at the time, Island crafters and artists had never before showcased their work together. “Big-time artists like Allen Whiting, Jules Worthington, and others had always been in galleries or doing their own shows. It took a lot of convincing, but once I got Jules Worthington, everybody else followed,” Rogers notes.

The first show was Labor Day weekend, shortly after a concert by Carly Simon and James Taylor. Rogers recalls, “I asked the concierge at that concert if he would announce that, in a week, there would be a brand-new show at the hall. We were inundated. I’ll never forget how many people showed up. We had 65 or 70 artists and artisans, and they all were selling out and had to send their family home to get more items.”

Two years later, Rogers approached the Vineyard Preservation Trust, which was renovating the Grange Hall, to ask whether they would host the festivals throughout the summer. Except during COVID, they’ve been at the Grange every year, twice a week, from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day.

Rogers expects about 60 to 70 participants this year, signaling a recovery from the loss of about 25 percent of artists who didn’t return after the pandemic. “We’ve had to rebuild, but this year in particular, we’ve got a lot of new artists and artisans. I thought people moving to the Vineyard now would not be artists, but that’s simply not true. People are retiring here, and retired people love to keep busy with their art.”

Cynthia McGrath, who has been exhibiting since the very beginning, says some years have been harder economically than others: “It’s taught me resilience and flexibility — learning how to adapt creatively and how to price things.” McGrath is a jeweler, fashioning her pieces primarily from items she collects on the beach. When she saw the sign for the first festival, McGrath explains, “I was working at Beadniks in Vineyard Haven, making a lot of jewelry, and thought it would be a great opportunity to sell it at a big art show and become an artist full-time, which is the ultimate dream.” 

Camaraderie and community are what keep her coming back. “I love being surrounded by other artists, and making a lot of friends with them and the customers throughout the years. It’s the face-to-face sales that I love the most. To be able to look at people and see their reaction.”

Bill Rovero is one of the new participants with his company, Tradewinds MV. He began crafting functional, artisanal wooden items after “quitting the rat race,” as he puts it, working as an engineer designing consumer products. Many of his handsome cutting boards, clocks, cribbage boards, games, and whiskey smokers feature an image of the Island: “This is the first time I’ll be in front of a crowd. Most everything I’ve sold so far has been through word of mouth or online.”

Rovero is inspired to participate for several reasons. “It’s difficult to get a storefront, and the cost associated with that. This is a good way to get the name and products out there and to meet people in the artisan world. Also, it’s just fun,” he admits.

Rovero isn’t concerned about the economy at the moment. “These products are given as gifts for weddings, housewarming, or to yourself. I haven’t noticed a downturn, but let’s be honest; it’s the Vineyard. People who are coming on vacation, hopefully, have some money in their pockets.”

Lisa Strachan, a ceramicist and bronze sculptor, credits the Artisans Festivals with playing an important role in her ability to work as a full-time artist in the place where she grew up: “I’ve been able to stay here and buy a house with my husband in a place where my family’s been for generations. I directly link that to my success at the Artisans Festivals.”

Strachan originally participated in the Chilmark Flea Market. Recalling her first year with the Artisans Festivals, she says, “I was timid about moving over, but once I did, there was no going back. It was incredible to be among only artists. It elevated my work.” 

Strachan continues, “It’s about the relationships I’ve made through the show. It’s unique because the artist and the customer meet one another directly. We know each other’s lives over the years. It’s really an incredible relationship. They love talking to the artist directly. It’s different from in a gallery.”

Strachan has found that, aside from the COVID years, the market here has been fairly steady: “People who live here and visit are very intentional about supporting the arts. There is a whole range, from movie stars to people I grew up with and have known my whole life. I have had amazing patrons who want to see me succeed, and I didn’t expect that when I started out. They’ll commission a dinnerware set, or gifts for their daughter’s wedding or a family reunion.”

The Artisans Festivals have been vital to jeweler Ken Pillsworth, who has also been exhibiting since 1995. He originally apprenticed with a few jewelers here before going off on his own: “I sold to galleries, but that was wholesaling. Having the Artisans Festivals as a retail venue really did change my life — not only my business, but I also met my wife there.” He notes that whether people are new customers or return year after year, they are drawn to buying from local artisans: “It becomes part of people’s trip to the Vineyard.” 

Asked about his thoughts for the upcoming season, Pillsworth reflects, “Every year, it seems like there’s something, whether like now with high gas prices or different calamities in other years. It’s like, ‘Oh, no. The summer is not going to be great.’ There’s always that worry, but, knock on wood, everything has always worked out.”

Rogers has a very good feeling about the upcoming season. Long-term, she says, “My dream for the future is that the Artisans Festivals never die when I’m no longer running it.”

McGrath says, “Andrea’s vision for the artisans has been so incredible, giving all of us a platform for doing our creative work full-time. It’s also good for tourism and the local community. We love everyone who comes to our shows, and we’re giving them something they’ll use on their dining room table or for the holidays to remember their time here. It’s special that they’re using things we’ve made, and knowing they love buying handmade items from us is inspiring. I think that’s what keeps all of us going.”
The Artisans Festival occurs at the Grange except on Labor Day and Thanksgiving, when it is at the Agricultural Hall. For more information about dates and locations, visit vineyardartisans.com.