Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Re-Engraving Paul Revere: "The Boston Massacre" with Andy Volpe

In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Vineyard Haven Public Library is pleased to welcome living history presenter Andy Volpe for a presentation on Paul Revere’s "Boston Massacre” print. This program will be held at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, July 28th at the Vineyard Haven Library, located at 200 Main Street in Vineyard Haven. Free and open to the public, no registration required. 

Revere's "Bloody Massacre" print is arguably one of the most infamous propaganda prints in American history. Better known today as the "Boston Massacre," its image has found its way into hundreds of publications, history books, and video. While the event itself is heavily analyzed and debated, the plate and print have an interesting backstory that is not often talked about. Andy will also touch on his own work replicating Revere's prints, including how he went about producing a hand-engraved, full-size replica of the Massacre—one of only two such replicas created in the 21st century—which he created for the event's 250th anniversary.

Andy Volpe is an artist, printer and living history presenter in Worcester MA. Since 2010, he has collaborated with Gary Gregory of the Printing Office of Edes & Gill, which replicates important American Revolutionary documents and images, notably the Declaration of Independence, using the same techniques and replica presses. Andy’s work focuses on replicating prints by Paul Revere as well as other notable 18th century prints. He is also involved with the Museum of Printing in Haverhill MA, where he gives tours, presentations and printing demos, and focuses on intaglio, graphics and illustration printing, spanning the years 1450-1800.  He holds a degree in Fine Arts from Westfield State University, where he fell in love with the printers in the Renaissance and Early Modern periods. He also regularly presents at the Higgins Armory Collection at Worcester Art Museum on various Arms & Armor periods with a few living history groups.

For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or (508) 696-4211.


Friday, June 20, 2025

History on Plaster: The Stan Murphy Murals with Bow Van Riper

The Vineyard Haven Library is pleased to welcome local historian Bow Van Riper for a presentation about the history and content of the celebrated murals painted on the walls of the Katharine Cornell Theatre by Stan Murphy. This event will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, July 22nd at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, located at 51 Spring Street in Vineyard Haven (above the Tisbury Town Hall). Free and open to the public. No registration required.

The Stan Murphy murals in the Katharine Cornell Theater are among the Island's most impressive pieces of public art. They represent Murphy's attempt to capture the history and ambience of life on the Island in just four panels. This talk takes a deep dive into their content and significance.

“History on Plaster: The Stan Murphy Murals” is the second in a three-part series of talks relating to the Katharine Cornell Theatre to be presented by Bow Van Riper in 2025. On May 27th, Bow delivered a presentation entitled, “Association Hall and the History of Vineyard Haven,” and on September 23rd, he will present on “Katharine Cornell and the Vineyard.”  

A historian for 40 years, A. Bowdoin "Bow" Van Riper received his BA from Brown University and his MA and PhD from the University of Wisconsin—Madison. He taught at the college level for more than 20 years and is the author, editor, or co-editor of 22 books and over 100 articles. He has been Research Librarian at the Martha's Vineyard Museum since 2014.

A third-generation washashore, Bow first came to the Island in 1963, at the age of 3 months, and moved here permanently in December 2011. He lives on the shores of Vineyard Haven Harbor in a 19th century house where, as far as he can tell, nothing of historical significance ever happened.

For more information, please contact the library at (508) 696-4211 or vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org, or consult the library website: https://www.vhlibrary.org.

Friday, October 4, 2024

Art in the Stacks exhibit featuring local artist Harriet Bernstein

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library are pleased to present an exhibit of abstract, acrylic paintings by Harriet Bernstein on display in the lower level of the library during regular library hours from October 3rd through October 31st.

Bernstein began painting during the quiet days of the pandemic. Before that, she was a long admirer of art, especially that of Agnes Martin, whose large, meditative canvases in subdued pastels “stole [her] heart with their soft, feminine expression like the ocean itself.” However, when she sat down to paint her own homages to Agnes Martin, “these wild colorful works came out instead.”  

Bernstein encourages visitors to approach abstract art with an open mind—to feel the energy and emotion conveyed by color, texture, and movement on the canvas. According to Bernstein, “the aim of abstract art is to convey an essence as opposed to a representation. An abstract painting can evoke feelings, emotions, sensations. It can be peaceful or energetic, angry or happy. It can resonate with something inside you that you mostly don’t notice. It can be soothing or sensual, inspiring. But at its best, it can lead you to the ‘art’ inside of you.” Come and see for yourself! 

Art in the Stacks is an initiative of the Friends of the Library to provide artists an opportunity to show their work, and for library patrons to enjoy art throughout the year. Artists interested in showing their work through “Art in the Stacks” may contact the Vineyard Haven Public Library at 508-696-4211 or send an email to vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org.

 

Saturday, August 31, 2024

Art in the Stacks featuring Leaf Art by Emily Davis

 

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library are pleased to present an exhibit of Leaf Art by Emily Davis, on display in the lower level of the library during regular library hours throughout September. 


Emily Davis is a horticulturalist, committed to an art practice that combines her many passions. Using pressed leaves, scissors, and an LED light board, Emily creates temporary works of art that she preserves through digital photography. Emily's art is characterized by her attention to detail and subject selection, including species and design. More information about leaf art can be found online at www.edleaves.com.


Art in the Stacks is an initiative of the Friends of the Library to provide artists an opportunity to show their work, and for library patrons to enjoy art throughout the year. Artists interested in showing their work through “Art in the Stacks” may contact the Vineyard Haven Public Library at 508-696-4210 or send an email to vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org.

Saturday, August 17, 2024

Virtual African Art Series

Spend one Sunday afternoon each month learning the wonders of African Art. Jean Borgatti, Consulting Curator for African, Oceanic, and Native American Art at the Fitchburg Art Museum, will delve into a different aspect of African Art each month, including its variety of forms, the depth of its history, and how it became an important player in Western culture and across the globe. A reading list will be available for those who want to delve more deeply into any one topic. Jean Borgatti will also invite participants to an online workspace where she will post additional images, articles, and videoclips for anyone interested. The Fitchburg Art Museum will also provide a limited number of free passes as part of this series. Please contact the library for more information. 


Sponsored by the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library, the Groton Public Library Endowment Trust, and other public libraries throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire.


Register for the series here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1317236458829/WN_ozlO60hWSK2a1x1BMqHD6Q#/registration


September 8, 2024 at 2:30 pm - 21st Century African Photography. Examine the work of Senegalese photographer Victor Diop and others featured in the Fitchburg Art Museum’s Africa Rising exhibit. 


October 13, 2024 at 2:30 pm - African Art in the medieval world--1000-1600 CE: The Trans-Saharan trade, Igbo-Ukwu, Ife, Benin, Djenné, Lalibela, Great Zimbabwe


November 10, 2024 at 2:30 pm - African Art and the West –From Curiosity Cabinet to the Museum and the Development of Modernism (e.g. Picasso and African art)


December 8, 2024 at 2:30 pm - Learning to Look: Forms and Materials. The African art most familiar in the West are carvings, but wall-painting, textiles, and body decoration are equally important.


January 12, 2025 at 2:30 pm - Case Studies: Art in Cultural Context: Contrasting Cultures – Contrasting Styles -The Dogon of Mali and the Yoruba of Nigeria.


February 9, 2025 at 2:30 pm - Masquerade – A multi-media art form including a ‘head’ or mask, of many possible materials and a body costume presented in the context of movement and sound--not just that mask on the wall!


March 9, 2025 at 2:30 pm - Anonymous Doesn't Live Here Anymore--African Artists Traditional and Modern


April 13, 2025 at 2:30 pm - Likeness and Beyond: Portraiture in Iconic African Art. African ‘traditional’ portraits take many forms, from those based on likeness to the highly symbolic. 


May 3, 2025 at 2:30 pm (1st Sunday instead of 2nd Sunday since May 11th is Mother’s Day) - Shango to Shonibare: African Art in the Black Atlantic World--with a focus on the form, meaning and movement of the Thunder Deity Shango from Africa through the Diaspora.


RECORDING NOTE: All programs will be recorded. Registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.


Thursday, August 1, 2024

Art in the Stacks exhibit featuring Archie Robertson

 

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library are pleased to present an exhibit of abstract paintings and other works by Archie Robertson, on display in the lower level of the library during regular library hours throughout the month of August. 

Archie Robertson is an independent artist who has lived on Martha's Vineyard since 1986. His art is characterized by large, abstract paintings that employ a drip and splatter technique reminiscent of Jackson Pollock. Other works include ocean-themed mixed media with reclaimed materials. 

Art in the Stacks is an initiative of the Friends of the Library to provide artists an opportunity to show their work, and for library patrons to enjoy art throughout the year. Artists interested in showing their work through “Art in the Stacks” may contact the Vineyard Haven Public Library at 508-696-4210 or send an email to vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org.

Virtual Travel & Art History Series Sponsored by the Friends of the Library

 

Photo of Basílica Sagrada Família by Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

This Summer the Friends of Vineyard Haven Library will sponsor a series of armchair travel programs on Tuesday mornings, and free virtual art history lectures on Thursday mornings. All events are co-sponsored by the Friends of Vineyard Haven Library, Friends of Tewksbury Library, Corning Community Impact & Investment, and other libraries statewide.

Please note each session requires separate registration, use links below to sign up via Zoom.

Virtual Armchair Travel Series on Tuesdays

Armchair Travel To Barcelona, Spain
Tuesday, July 2, 10:30am

Armchair Travel To Greece (Chios) With The Traveling Librarian
Friday, July 12, 10:30am (RESCHEDULED FROM JULY 9TH)

Armchair Travel To Malta
Tuesday, July 16, 10:30am

Armchair Travel To French Wine Regions
Tuesday, August 6, 10:30am

Armchair Travel To Corsica
Tuesday, August 13, 10:30am

Armchair Travel To Greece (Rhodes & Symi) With The Traveling Librarian
Tuesday, August 27, 10:30am

Virtual Art History Series on Thursdays

Picasso's Women
Thursday, July 11, 10:30am 

Paris 1874 -- Inventing Impressionism
Thursday, July 18, 10:30am

Parisian Cafes and Impressionist Painting
Thursday, July 25, 10:30am 
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3917193289143/WN_kD1ZdXsIQDeXIK5yMXXFqQ

The Quiet & Colorful World Of Vermeer
Thursday, August 1, 10:30am
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5017193225387/WN_ea47mpYpTN-txFleBcoDWQ

Off With Their Heads! The Art Of The French Revolution
Thursday, August 8, 10:30am
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/9017193289323/WN_N2A3aIADSgKgXf2QWYqWXg

Summer Adventures -- Art Colonies In New England
Thursday, August 15, 11am (please note start time; 11am, not 10:30am)

War & Peace and Winslow Homer -- The Civil War & Its Aftermath
Thursday, August 22, 10:30am
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/8417193289510/WN_ZxV_GVaqRlS_u7V8fIIbeA

Henri Matisse -- Master of Color, Magician of Modernism
Thursday, August 29, 10:30am


Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Art in the Stacks exhibit featuring Mabelle “Bella” Felipe


The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library are pleased to present an exhibit of floral paintings and other works by local artist, Mabelle “Bella” Felipe, on display in the lower level of the library during regular library hours from July 8th - July 31st, 2024.

Bella is an independent artist who moved to Martha’s Vineyard from her native Brazil over 20 years ago. Inspired by the natural beauty of the island, her artwork focuses on flora, fauna, and other natural elements. Bella is the host and producer of the MVTV program, “Bella Bilingual podcast.” She is also a puppeteer, a songwriter, and a chef.

In her artist statement for the Art in the Stacks exhibit, she writes:


“Art has a universal language. Through it, we express ourselves and connect. When a person identifies with my work, this is very special. This is purpose without purpose. The light in the darkness filling the void. We live in an absolutely comparative world, where we feel trapped by its conventions and concepts. Art gives us a sense of freedom, the powerful force of feeling free, in time and space. As we know by now, humans have lived this artistic concept since the time of the caves. We artists are continuing this cycle as long as we are able to use our own thoughts and ideas. That’s good! Isto é bom! Ça c’est bon!” Art in the Stacks is an initiative of the Friends of the Library to provide artists an opportunity to show their work, and for library patrons to enjoy art throughout the year. Artists interested in showing their work through “Art in the Stacks” may contact the Vineyard Haven Public Library at 508-696-4210 or send an email to vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org. 


Thursday, June 13, 2024

Art in the Stacks Exhibit Featuring Collage Paintings and Other Works by Local Artist, Gimili Glavin


The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library are pleased to present an exhibit of collage paintings and other works by local artist Gimili Glavin, on display in the lower level of the library from June 7 - July 6, 2024 during regular library hours. 

Gimili Glavin is an independent fine-art artist at Peacegate Art Studio on Martha's Vineyard. Her work includes surrealist paintings, collage and sculpture, incorporating both natural and man-made elements to create a three dimensional effect. More information about Gimili Glavin and her artwork can be found on her Facebook page, Gimple Natrix.

Art in the Stacks is an initiative of the Friends of the Library to provide artists an opportunity to show their work, and for library patrons to enjoy art throughout the year. Artists interested in showing their work at the library may contact us at 508-696-4210 or by emailing lshick@clamsnet.org.




















Friday, May 24, 2024

Virtual Art History Series, Sponsored by the Friends of the Library

This June, the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library will sponsor a series of free virtual art history lectures, on Thursday mornings at 10:30 am on Zoom. All programs will be recorded, and registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program. This series is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Tewksbury Library, Corning Community Impact & Investment, and the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library.

10:30 am Thursday June 6th REGISTER
The Impressionists--Imagining the Modern 
Today, everyone loves the Impressionists, and 2024 is the 150th anniversary of the First Impressionist Exhibition, held in Paris in 1874. But many don’t know that the Impressionists and their avant-garde works were initially reviled by the critics and rejected by the public. If you can’t get to Paris to see the Musée D’Orsay’s blockbuster exhibition Paris 1874: Inventing impressionism, this is the next best thing! Learn the compelling story of how this beloved art movement was born and why it flourished. View some of favorite paintings, as well as others that will be new to you. Led by Janet Mandel, a retired 32-year art history teacher, who now presents illustrated talks on a variety of art history topics at colleges & universities, libraries, museums, senior centers, and community centers.

10:30 am Thursday June 13th REGISTER
New Hampshire Art & Artists Through The Years 

New Hampshire has attracted and inspired artists since the colonial era. What is distinctive about the art made there? Explore works by itinerant and folk painters, landscape artists drawn to the state's scenic vistas, and modern artists that adopted bold styles to depict everyday life in the Granite State. Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Childe Hassam, and Maxfield Parrish are some of the artists discussed in this program. Led by art historian Jane Oneail, founder of Culturally Curious, a company that curates and delivers art appreciation programs for audiences worldwide. With a Master’s in Art History from Boston University and a Master’s in Education from Harvard University, Oneail has worked at some of New Hampshire's most esteemed cultural institutions, including as Executive Director of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen and Senior Educator at the Currier Museum of Art. She has also taught at the college level for more than a decade, most recently at Southern New Hampshire University.

10:30 am Thursday June 20th REGISTER
Creative Couples‑‑Lee Krasner & Jackson Pollock and Helen Frankenthaler & Robert Motherwell 

Examine the relationship of two artistic couples who worked in New York City in the mid 20th Century -- Lee Krasner & Jackson Pollock and Helen Frankenthaler & Robert Motherwell. Explore the contributions of these two creative couples in the artistic revolution of Abstract Expressionism. Although 20 years apart in age, Lee and Helen knew each other and traveled in the same artistic circles in the 1950s. Led by Martha Chiarchiaro, owner of Seeing History, who has brought history to life through the art of the times for more than 30 years. She received her Masters’ degree in the History of Art from Williams College and provides a variety of art history presentations at the Worcester Art Museum, the Worcester Institute for Senior Education (WISE), libraries, senior centers, and garden clubs.

10:30 am Thursday June 27th REGISTER
The Landscape As Canvas‑‑Earth Art
In the 1960s and 70s, artists like Robert Smithson, Nancy Holt, and Ana Mendietta began the revolutionary practice of making art using materials from the natural world. Learn more about the inspiration  for the movement and get insight into the works of several leading artists, including Andy Goldsworthy. Led by art historian Jane Oneail, founder of Culturally Curious.


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, December 2, 2023

Vineyard Haven Folk Artist Captain John Ivory



The new issue of Martha's Vineyard Magazine includes a feature article on former mariner turned folk artist, Captain John Ivory, whose paintings can be seen at the Vineyard Haven Public Library.

https://mvmagazine.com/news/2023/11/13/john-ivory%E2%80%99s-last-command

The talk by Jane Slater mentioned in the article was recorded and can be viewed on the library's Vimeo page: https://vimeo.com/765105772

Saturday, May 27, 2023

Virtual Talk: Art by African Americans

 

REGISTER HERE

[Online] 
6:30 pm Wednesday June 14th
Art by African Americans: From the Protest of the ‘60s to the Age of Black Lives Matter 


At the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement, African American artists were inspired not only to create amazing works, but to agitate for fundamental change in the art world. After being marginalized and ignored for so long, they demanded greater representation of their work in museums, as well as the inclusion of African American scholars and curators in the ranks of museum professionals. Join our virtual art talk with Janet Mandel to celebrate the rich contributions these pioneers made to American culture, and see some of the work that continues to astonish art lovers today.

Janet Mandel taught in New Jersey’s public schools for 32 years, where she taught English, art history, World Languages and Cultures. Now retired, Janet presents illustrated talks on a variety of art historytopics at adult schools, libraries, museums, senior centers, community centers, and similar venues. 

This live online event will not be recorded. To register or for more information, contact library Program Coordinator Anne McDonough at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org. 

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library and other Martha's Vineyard libraries.

Friday, April 7, 2023

Art in the Stacks: Paintings by Heather Sayeau

 

During the month of April, take time to visit the library's "Art in the Stacks" space on the lower level to view a show of large-scale floral paintings in oil by Heather Sayeau.

Heather Sayeau is a graduate of N.S.C.A.D University in Halifax Nova Scotia. She taught Art in secondary schools before becoming an instructor in the Fine and Media Arts Department at NSCAD In 1999, where she taught Painting, Figure Painting, Figure Drawing and Introductory Drawing. She also taught Painting, Drawing and Figure Drawing in the Continuing Studies Department. She retired in 2017 and continues to teach workshops at the Chester Art Centre in Chester Nova Scotia and at the Lunenburg School of the Arts in Lunenburg Nova Scotia. She is represented by Trinity Galleries in Saint John, New Brunswick, The Teichart Gallery in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, is a member of Peer Gallery in Lunenburg, N.S. and the Lunenburg Art Gallery. She lives in Petite Riviere, Nova Scotia and on Martha’s Vineyard with her husband Bill and their cat Jasmine.

ARTIST'S STATEMENT
Painting is my response to my environment. It’s what I do. Nature is constantly unfolding gifts of beauty which never fail to delight and captivate my senses. Some of my earliest memories are of gardening with my grandmother and I still can smell the lush sweet scents of those roses. The power of beauty is a benevolent force. Painting gives the opportunity to examine, plunge into and produce something derived from observation. Add to that the amazing of using colour and brushes and discovering what they can do and my life has become an endlessly fascinating experience. Even after a bad day I can’t wait to get back into the studio tomorrow.

Monday, March 20, 2023

Virtual Art Class: Pointillism Seascape

 

[Online] 6 pm Tuesday April 4th
Pointillism Art Seascape (Inspired by George Seurat)

An adventure in pointillism via Zoom! Join us to create a Seurat-inspired seascape led by Barbara Freiberg.

Ms Freiberg's credentials include a studio art degree from the University of Binghamton and twenty years experience teaching art classes at libraries for adults, children, families and teens.  She has taught at libraries in New York, New Jersey, Georgia and Florida.  She has also worked with librarians and their patrons from many other states through Zoom.  Her experience also includes teaching art to elementary and middle school students in Florida.  Some of her students' artwork has received newspaper and television coverage. She has been teaching Zoom classes since COVID started.

The classes include drawing instruction as well as instruction in coloring in the picture. The drawings will be done with a regular pencil. Participants then would have a choice of supplies to use such as markers, colored pencils and watercolor pencils.. 
 
Suggested supply list:
  • Pencil
  • Eraser
  • Ruler or Straight Edge
  • 1 piece of 8x8 White Sketch Paper or Drawing Paper
  • 50 package of Crayola Super Tip Markers or Similar Brand

This program is brought to you by the Chilmark and Vineyard Haven Public Libraries.

Please contact tthorpe@clamsnet.org or amcdonough@clamsnet.org with questions.

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Virtual Art Talk Series with Janet Mandel: Four Fabulous Women Artists

 

Four Fabulous Women Artists You Probably Never Heard Of
Virtual Art Talk Series with Janet Mandel 


Join us on Zoom for a series of art talks by Janet Mandel. Janet Mandel taught in New Jersey’s public schools for 32 years, where she taught English, art history, World Languages and Cultures. Now retired, Janet presents illustrated talks on a variety of art history topics at adult schools, libraries, museums, senior centers, community centers, and similar venues.

6 pm Wednesday January 18th: Suzanne Valadon
Suzanne Valadon was the illegitimate daughter of a sewing maid whose formal education ended at age eleven. She worked as a circus acrobat and artists’ model and gleaned what she could about painting by watching and listening to the men who put her image on canvas. Toulouse-Lautrec and Degas were her most important artistic influences. Under their tutelage she began to paint and created powerful, unconventional images, principally of women. Although mostly unknown today, she is regarded by scholars as an important chronicler of women’s experiences. Her paintings remain fresh and modern, cementing her legacy as a significant figure in the history of art.

6 pm Tuesday February 7th: Florine Stettheimer
One of New York’s most unconventional painters, Florine Stettheimer was a keen and opinionated observer of the people and rapidly changing world around her. Her famous salon, attended by New York’s avant-garde during the 1920s through the early ’40s, was legendary. She prophetically chose to portray subjects considered controversial even today, such as race, sexual orientation, gender, and religion. Come and hear about the unique life of this German-Jewish artist and see some of her most celebrated works. It is time to recognize Florine Stettheimer as one of the most significant artists of the 20th century, whose work remains as modern and relevant today as it was a century ago.

6 pm Wednesday March 22nd: Augusta Savage
Augusta Savage overcame poverty, racism, and gender discrimination to become a luminary of the Harlem Renaissance. Her sculptures celebrated African American culture, and her work as an arts educator and political activist catalyzed social change. This talk will explore Savage’s lasting legacy by examining her remarkable life and affecting works, as well as those of the younger artists she inspired.

6 pm Wednesday April 19th: Ruth Asawa
American sculptor, educator, and arts activist Ruth Asawa is known for her extensive body of work including paintings, printmaking, public commissions, and especially her wire sculptures that challenge conventional notions of material and form.  A firm believer in the radical potential of arts education, she also devoted herself to expanding access to art-focused educational programs by co-founding the Alvarado Arts Workshop in 1968 and the first public arts high school in San Francisco in 1982. Come and hear about this pioneering and inspirational artist.

This series is brought to you by the Chilmark and Vineyard Haven libraries.  Please contact vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org for the Zoom link.

Sunday, December 4, 2022

Art in the Stacks: Adriana Eftimie & Elizabeth R. Whelan "Found Again"

 

Found Again: Paintings by Elizabeth Whelan & Adriana Eftimie
On display on the lower level during regular library hours, through mid January


Recovering from a world pandemic pushes us to look for a new perspective on the old familiar ways, places, and events we might have taken for granted. Island events like the Agricultural Fair bring us together as a community. Familiar places like our cherished lighthouses attract tourists from around the world. A great golfing experience is shared with friends, surrounded by beautiful Vineyard landscapes. For a time, all these were inaccessible. Now we can cherish and appreciate them again. Adriana Eftimie and Elizabeth R. Whelan capture a few of these moments and places in paint, as a reminder to take some time, take a closer look, and reconnect with what was lost and found again.

This is artist Adriana Eftimie’s debut show. She has been studying painting for several years, and in 2021 officially launched her art career by displaying work and acccepting commissions. In ‘Found Again’, she shares a number of her works painted in her Vineyard Haven studio over the course of 2022. Elizabeth Whelan, has been using her time at the easel during 2022 to work on commissions and also broaden her painting skills to incorporate a wider variety of painting approaches and more drawing into her work.

Their art show at the Vineyard Haven Public Library ‘Art in the Stacks’ encompasses two different takes on familiar scenes from around Martha’s Vineyard. Eftimie’s work explores the detail and nuance of broad Vineyard landscape by using rich color to bring out atmospheric views. Her stunning details beautifully capture the Vineyard light, with two of the works rendering familiar views of the waterfront from interesting vantage points.

In contrast Elizabeth Whelan’s work takes on an oft-overlooked feature of the annual Agricultural Fair, the comments left by the hard-working fair judges on the Ag Hall entries. These comments are Elizabeth’s favorite feature of the fair each year, as the judges praise, cajole, and comment on the entries and entrants. in her paintings, names and entries have been changed to protect the innocent, and instead, personages of Ancient Rome are listed as the exhibitors. 

The works are available for sale by contacting the artists directly, email: Adriana Eftimie and Elizabeth R. Whelan

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Another Summer of Drawing with Elizabeth Whelan!

 

Beginning Wednesday May 25th, join artist Elizabeth R. Whelan for a series of 19 free intermediate-level drawing classes. She will be focusing on technique, good 'starts' for drawings, and how to move beyond simple representation to bring personal concepts into your work. To demonstrate, throughout the summer Elizabeth will follow a single theme and show you 19 different conceptual interpretations.

Anyone can join, from anywhere. The classes are free and aimed at adults who are brushing up on their drawing skills (or just starting out), however, all are welcome.

Classes will meet via Zoom every Wednesday at 11 am from May 25th - September 28th, 2022, and will be recorded. See you there!   Register for the series

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Virtual: Drawing with Elizabeth R. Whelan

 


Was one of your New Year's resolutions: Do More Drawing? 
Then have we got some opportunities for you!


Starting this Sunday, January 9th at 11am (and every Sunday through May 22) the Library will replay all twenty videos from last year's "Summer of Drawing" series with artist Elizabeth R. Whelan. Join your hosts Elizabeth Whelan and Anne McDonough on Zoom every Sunday as we revisit all that great classes from last year, one at a time, to get you back in the drawing groove! Whether you missed last year's classes, want a refresher, or just want to hang out, register here and join any time:
https://bit.ly/3r93VNN

And WHY do we want you to be all warmed up by May 22? Because on Wednesday May 25 at 11am, we start.... you guessed it.... ANOTHER Summer of Drawing! 

This will be an intermediate level and more in-depth look at technique, drawing themes and conceptual work, and a deep dive into various drawing subjects using any drawing media, meeting every Wednesday through October 5. Register for ANOTHER Summer of Drawing here:
https://bit.ly/32JaWg1

Anyone can join, from anywhere. The classes are free and aimed at adults who are brushing up on their drawing skills (or just starting out), however, all are welcome.
And you can watch this video message from Elizabeth to get more info. Can't wait!!
https://youtu.be/x1tMJLNpvcA