Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Love Song for the Vineyard Lawn with Vineyard Conservation Society


On Tuesday, April 9th at 5:30pm, join us at the Vineyard Haven Public Library for a presentation about Vineyard Lawns with Sam Look, Executive Director of the Vineyard Conservation Society. Learn the basics of having a lawn that’s safe for children, pets, and ponds. 

A Vineyard Lawn uses no pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, and only occasional watering if truly necessary. Mixed grass varieties and native plantings are hardier, better adapted to local conditions, and require less time and attention. And a Vineyard Lawn will always be safe for kids, pets, and wildlife – no need to check product labels and Google for the latest news on potential health effects.

In addition to the presentation, come see the Vineyard Conservation Society’s “Vineyard Lawns” display at the library throughout the month of April. This includes a 3-panel display (a blue ribbon winner at the Fair!), educational handouts, and book recommendations. 

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Eclipse Viewing and Activities for April 8th Solar Eclipse

 

On April 8th, 2024, a solar eclipse will pass over the northeastern United States. 

While Martha's Vineyard will only experience a partial eclipse, we will see a 92% obscuration, much greater than the 65% obscuration during the 2017 solar eclipse! 

Locally the eclipse will begin at 2:16 pm, with maximum obscuration at 3:29 pm.

The library will host a viewing party and have eclipse glasses available for library patrons on the day of the eclipse. Details TBA!

Eclipse viewing glasses have been provided through a grant from the Space Science Institute's Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) program.

Looking directly at the sun is dangerous and may cause irreversible eye damage. While it’s very tempting to look directly at the Sun during the eclipse, this is not safe. The library will be providing certified solar eclipse glasses leading up to the event and on the day of the eclipse.



Thursday, February 15, 2024

Employment Opportunity: Adult Program Coordinator

Vineyard Haven Public Library is seeking creative, organized, and tech-savvy candidates for the position of Adult Program Coordinator! This position will be responsible for all aspects of planning and producing appealing, high-quality programs for adults, including generating ideas, booking presenters, and publicizing and hosting events. Writes press releases, creates promotional materials, and performs other professional library work. 

Requires a Bachelor’s degree with work experience in community programming, library services or a related field. The ideal candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills, comfort with technology, and an interest in current events, literature, arts and culture. 

Permanent year-round position with full benefits under union contract, salary range $55,019 - $68,716. 40 hours per week schedule includes regular evening and weekend hours. Qualified applicants should submit an application, resume and cover letter by March 15th 2024. EOE. 

Apply online: https://towntisbury.seamlessdocs.com/f/Employment_Application_Revised_3_19

Friday, February 9, 2024

Elizabeth Whelan's Latest Art Classes Now Available Online

 

If you missed Elizabeth Whelan's recent in-person classes at Vineyard Haven Public Library and West Tisbury Library, video versions of both lessons are now available on her YouTube page.

Both classes have materials you can download from the Art Classes page on Elizabeth's website, www.elizabethwhelan.com, including some "snowy scenes" you can practice with until it snows on Martha's Vineyard!

Colored Pencils Drawing Tips

Snowy Scenes Drawing Tips

Elizabeth's 'Grab A Pencil Breakfast Club' starts again on Zoom at 6:30 am on February 20, for 10 sessions, running until April 23! Here's a description:

Join Martha's Vineyard artist Elizabeth Whelan and sketch around the world from the comfort of your own home with a virtual breakfast club art gathering every Tuesday from February 20th through April 23, 2024, from 6:30 to 7:30 am.

This is not a class, just an opportunity to sketch together. There's no need to show your work, and each week we visit a new location via a travel webcam. You also don't need to have your own camera on, so you can attend in pajamas with your coffee and no one will know! It's all about having a bit of fun and sketching the changing light that happens in an hour, just like plein air drawing/painting.

Elizabeth will also have one camera aimed at her sketchbook so that you can see what she is doing during the hour. 

Sign up once for all sessions -- the login info will be the same every week. REGISTER




Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Virtual Event: Museum of Bad Art, 99% Inspiration, 1% Perspiration


Thomas Edison famously described genius as 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Artists featured in the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) may have struck a different balance. In this fun and funny presentation led my Michael Frank, MOBA Curator in Chief, each MOBA piece is shown alongside the classic art that inspired it. You decide -- is this genius?  Register: bit.ly/49iyKEc

The Museum Of Bad Art collects, exhibits, and celebrates art that will be seen in no other venue. Since 1993, they have collected art from thrift stores, yard sales, sidewalk trash, and even the artists who create it. They analyze, compare to classic art, and share with thousands of fans around the world.

Michael Frank, MOBA Curator in Chief, studied under the strict tutelage of the founding Esteemed Curator. Mr. Frank now heads the entire department. His appointment was partially due to his record of contributing more art to MOBA than any other donor. A professional musician, he lives in Boston.

This program is brought to you by the West Tisbury, Edgartown and Vineyard Haven Public Libraries.

Saturday, February 3, 2024

Community Event: MV Ballroom Musical Sunday Afternoons

Come to dance, or just to listen! 

An afternoon of off-season dancing and music, performed by your local favorites! Organized and sponsored by the MV Ballroom group, in collaboration with Pathways Arts, Vineyard Haven Library, and the Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha's Vineyard. 

Events are held two Sundays a month from 4 - 5:30 pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Society Stevens Chapel, 238 Main Street.

February 18th: Jessie & Rick, the Blue Yonder duo

March 3rd: Becky & Rich, Convertibles Duo

March 17th: Barbara & Jessie, Jaywalkers Duo

April 7th: Andy Herr Duo

April 21st: Darby & Sam, Rose-Coloured Glasses

May 5th: Smooth B, DJ Sterling Bishop

May 19th: Flying Elbows, Contra Dance with caller Kansas Brew

Schedule subject to change

Supported by a grant from the Martha's Vineyard Cultural Council!



Writing Workshops with Caroline Joy Adams and Moira Silva

Join us for a series of free online writing workshops in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere, led by Caroline Joy Adams, M.Ed. An artist, writer, photographer, and travel lover, Caroline Joy Adams has taught writing at the college level in addition to hundreds of writing workshops over the past 20 years, including in recent times in Maui, Hawaii, Newport, RI, Woods Hole, MA, and Martha’s Vineyard. She is the author of several books, including the Power to Write, Have Fun with Haiku, and Creating Inner Calm Through Creative Writing.

Zoom login information will be sent to registered participants. Please register separately for each workshop you wish to attend:

6 pm Tuesday February 20th
Writing About Love CANCELLED

6 pm Tuesday March 19th
Memoir Writing REGISTER

6 pm Tuesday April 23rd
Haiku Workshop REGISTER

6 pm Tuesday May 21st
Writing About Nature REGISTER

In June 2024, Caroline will offer a Travel Writing workshop, in-person at the library, date TBA!

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Please note, Moira Silva's March 2024 Writing Workshop at VHPL is full. CLICK HERE to join the waitlist for cancellations or future workshops.