Lately I’ve been spending my days on Beach Street Ext. inside the Miner Family Gallery. Witnessing the inner workings of this mysterious strip off Five Corners has so far meant a front-row seat for the repaving project, and cherry blossoms blowing in the doorway from the Post Office. I’ll be stationed here through the beginning of June, so if you’re curious to meet this newest columnist in person, come by, enjoy some art, and say hello!
In other news, when was the last time you walked West Chop Woods? Visiting recently, it is quite a different trail after all the tree removals due to pine beetle damage. If you go on a sunny day, think about wearing sunscreen: It’s much sunnier now, with so much foliage cleared out, and even the trails themselves seem wider too. It makes me wonder if this will make it easier to spot the hidden glass floats next time “Treasure on the Trails” comes back around.
Happy Memorial Day weekend! Businesses continue to open, and art festivals have officially begun. Since 2015, this weekend for me meant participating in the Vineyard Artisans Festivals. This summer I’m pulling back on art shows to better balance some of the other responsibilities that have crept into my life recently (column writing included), but it’s hard not to think back on all the Memorial Day weekends spent over in West Tisbury at the historic Grange Hall.
I was so nervous walking into setup that first time as a young 20-something newly returned to the Island and about to show my artwork at the prestigious Vineyard Artisans Memorial Day weekend festival. The first artists I ran into were Bob and Debra Yapp of Miles from Mainland, an Island maker couple who also happened to both be teachers of mine back at Edgartown School, who welcomed me in with big smiles. That broke the ice. Then I was lucky enough to be stationed between Laura Silber and Janet Woodcock; I couldn’t have asked for better examples to learn from all weekend long.
The first art show of the season still always has me teeming with nervous energy. In the off-season you can spend months working in solitude, hoping your visions will align with others once you share your creations with the world come summer. And each year I finish that first show with my creative cup overflowing: seeing friends, talking art, sharing inspirations, and remembering why I do this weird thing called making art.
Find the 28th Vineyard Artisans at the Grange Hall on May 23 and 24, from 10 am to 4 pm. Or visit the P.A. Club for a Memorial Day weekend craft show on May 23 from 11 am to 4 pm, with a completely different lineup of artists. And good luck all you brave makers: May the weather be ever in your favor!I want to wish my inaugural birthday balloons here to Kris Ivory: Have a very happy birthday on May 27. If you want a birthday shout-out, please email me at tisburycolumnist@gmail.com. As I get my feet wet, I would love to hear your own stories of our town, favorite memories from Kay’s columns, and anything coming up that you want spotlighted here.