We describe some of our favorite galleries and studios in three words, plus a few more.
Chilmark
Creekville Art & Antiques
In three words: Vintage Vineyard views.
Creekville Art and Antiques will not be open in Menemsha this summer, but they will be showing at the Chilmark Flea Market on Wednesdays. Suzie Pacheco will be selling her art, as well as vintage Vineyard maps, period pieces of Vineyard scenes, and work by other local artists. suziepachecoart.com/creekville-art-and-antiques
Kara Taylor Gallery
In three words: Expect the unexpected.
The Kara Taylor Gallery, featuring gold leaf paintings, mixed-media work, and sculptures, located in a Chilmark field backdropped by the Grey Barn’s cows, is a place to pause and spend a moment away from the bustle down Island. Artist Kara Taylor is doing just that this summer, showing a new body of work in her “A Moment in Time” show. karataylorart.com
Ruel Gallery
In three words: Serene, welcoming, fun.
Five years ago, Colin Ruel opened the Ruel Gallery in his family’s old Menemsha garage, originally built by his great-grandfather. Now the gallery showcases Colin’s paintings and Nettie Kent’s jewelry, as well as hosting pop-up events for other makers and musicians. The gallery aims to be a supportive space for the community through various summer events including a fundraiser for the Chilmark Preschool. ruelgallery.com
Edgartown
The Cristina Gallery
In three words: Nautical, unique, enchanting.
The Cristina Gallery will be open all summer showing paintings of marine scenes, landscapes, street views, and still lifes, as well as their collection of antique maps and nautical charts. christina.com
The Edgartown Art Gallery
In three words: For 52 years.
The Edgartown Art Gallery has been a permanent resident at the Charlotte Inn. Open to the public, the traditional art gallery showcases pastels, watercolors, and oil paintings from around the world. edgartownartgallery.com
Eisenhauer Gallery
In three words: Eclectic, contemporary, joyous.
The Eisenhauer Gallery will be a delight to the eyes and ears this summer, with their contemporary art collection on display every day, and their Thursday evening Music in the Square sessions with local musicians. eisenhauergallery.com
North Water Gallery
In three words: New, fresh, beautiful.
In three more words: North Summer Street. The North Water Gallery has moved! After 35 years, North Water is now open at 31 North Summer Street in Edgartown. This summer the gallery is excited to show off their new location with upcoming artist receptions on July 26, August 10. northwatergallery.com
Old Sculpin Gallery
In three words: Authentic, historic, beautiful.
The Martha’s Vineyard Art Association, located at the Old Sculpin Gallery, is honoring its 70th anniversary this summer, including the “From Carpentry to Artistry” exhibit, the annual catboat parade in July, and a post-parade Mad Martha’s ice cream social. The Old Sculpin Gallery will also be hosting art classes for children in July and August, and Ned Reade’s watercolor workshop in August. oldsculpingallery.org
Untamable Gallery
In three words: Fun, funny, fabulous.
The Untamable Gallery sells a collection of owner Lucy Dahl’s favorite things, from her photography on the walls to unique knick-knacks around the shop. untameablegallery.com
Winter Street Gallery
In three words: Collaborative, dynamic, idiosyncratic.
It is summer in the Winter Street Gallery, and there will be five shows, each with a public opening on their first day, to celebrate. Since 2020, Winter Street Gallery has been a space of contemporary, multigenerational, and multimedia artists, and aims to provoke interesting conversations. winterstreetgallery.com
Oak Bluffs
Alison Shaw Gallery
In three words: Fine art photography.
The Alison Shaw Gallery, located in the Oak Bluffs Art District, will be open all summer exhibiting and selling Shaw’s photography, teaching workshops, and mingling during the Art District Strolls. alisonshaw.com
Cousen Rose Gallery
In three words: Local cultural cornerstone.
The Cousen Rose Gallery is open for the season showing paintings, abaca, photography, and collages from artists around the world. cousenrose.com
Crossroads Gallery
In three words: Meeting, healing, arts.
Michael Blanchard will be showing his photography, books, and calendars until October at Crossroads Gallery. Every year Michael sells an inspirational calendar to raise money for an Island charity, and he has raised $50,000 over the past eight years. This year the calendar will support the Red House Peer Recovery Support Center. blanchardphotomv.com
Galaxy Gallery
In three words: Local Island artists.
The Galaxy Gallery is a nonprofit cooperative gallery that supports Island artists and charities by giving locals a world of their own to show their work and raise money. This year, the gallery will host nine different shows, participate in three Art District Strolls, and fundraise for the Lagoon Pond Association and Habitat for Humanity Martha’s Vineyard. galaxygallerymv.org
Featherstone Center for The Arts
In three words: Inspirational, inclusive, dynamic.
Featherstone Center for the Arts will host the guest-curated show “Sometimes My Blues Change Color” (July 28-Sept. 1) featuring prints by Delita Martin, curated by Galerie Myrtis. In addition to the Francine Kelly Gallery, Featherstone also hosts classes, workshops, demonstrations, talks, book readings, and special events.featherstoneart.org
Groovy Sue Gallery
In three words: Stimulating, inspiring, fun.
The Groovy Sue Studio will be open this summer showing Suesan Stovall’s mixed-media artwork, including a new collection of angel sculptures.
Harry Seymour Studio
In three words: Painting, poetry, harmony.
The Harry Seymour Studio will be open this summer by appointment only, and Harry Seymour’s art will be hanging at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse until August 10. hseymour.artspan.com/home
Knowhere Art Gallery
In three words: Four extraordinary exhibitions.
Knowhere Art Gallery will be open all summer with special events through August, including artwork from four artists currently being featured at the Venice Biennale. knowhereart.com
Moore Family Gallery
In three names: Andrew, Hannah, Gordon.
The Moore Family Gallery shows paintings and ceramics made by Andrew Moore, his daughter Hannah Moore, and son Gordon Moore. The gallery’s summer shows will kick off July 13, featuring new watercolor work from Hannah Moore. moorefamilygallery.com
Periwinkle Studio
In three words: Wonderful little studio.
The Periwinkle Studio will be open during the Oak Bluffs Art District Strolls this summer, where you can find Judith Drew Schubert’s paintings and textiles. judithdrewschubert.com
Washington Ledesma Gallery
In three words: Colorful, intriguing, creative.
The Washington Ledesma Gallery will be open every Thursday from 4 to 6 pm for an open studio with refreshments and conversation, as well as for the upcoming show “Washington’s People” on August 9. The gallery is also open by appointment. washingtonledesmamv.com
Vineyard Haven
51ART Gallery
In three words: Unique, lively, ever-changing.
51Art Gallery’s red door will be open all summer to show Teresa Kruszewski’s black-and-white photography. 51Art Gallery is also the only custom picture framing studio on-Island, available by appointment. theshoppewiththereddoor.com
Althea Designs
In three words: Colorful, inspiring, joyful.
Althea Designs, showcasing Althea Freeman-Miller’s wood cutouts and block prints, as well as artist pop-ups, will be open for summer shopping, First Friday festivities, and weekly workshops. This year, Althea is holding printmaking, Creativi-Tea, and Mind Your Creative Business workshops. altheadesigns.com
Louisa Gould Gallery
In three words: Maritime, contemporary, inclusive.
The Louisa Gould Gallery will be open this summer showcasing various artists and mediums, including oil paintings, sculpture, glass, jewelry, and furniture. louisagould.com
Michael Johnson Photo Studio
In three words: Serene, soulful, sublime.
Tucked away in a garden off Main Street in Vineyard Haven, this year the Michael Johnson Photo Gallery will be open for its 12th season. The gallery shows photos of Martha’s Vineyard and Vineyarders, including Michael’s iconic photo “Joy” of the Polar Bear swimming group at Inkwell Beach. michaeljimage.com
Jess Pisano
In three words: Inspired by nature.
Jessica Pisano’s studio and gallery will be open all summer for visits by appointment. Jessica is a local artist, specializing in contemporary oil painting, who shows her work around the country, including in her own backyard. jessicapisano.com
West Tisbury
Ashley Medowski Gallery
In three words: historic, enchanting, inspiring.
Ashley Medowski will be having her 22nd annual art show, featuring nature paintings and driftwood birds this August at the Ashley Medowski Gallery, an 1869 fishing barn inherited from her great-grandfather Captain Normal Benson. ashleymedowskigallery.com
The Davis House Gallery
In three words: Historic, residential, quiet.
In a few more words that may appeal to a hot Vineyard summer: air conditioned with ample parking. The Davis House Gallery will be open from 1 to 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer, showing art by Allen Whiting and his maternal grandfather Percy Cowen. This year, the artwork will be changed throughout the summer making every weekend a new reason to visit. allenwhiting.com
Field Gallery
In three words: Dancing in fields.
The Field Gallery is a space for all ages, from their collaboration with Built-On-Stilts, which has children and teens dancing amongst Tom Maley’s iconic sculptures in the field, to their newest artist, 94-year-old Marie-Louise Rouff. This summer the Field Gallery will host five openings with 14 artists through July and August. fieldgallery.com
The Granary Gallery
In three words: The red barn.
The Granary Gallery is hosting five shows with openings almost every other Friday night though July and August. granarygallery.com
Turpentine Gallery
In three words: Immersive, multimedia, enriching.
Turpentine Gallery will be hosting two shows this summer. In July, “Beyond the Wrack Line” will feature sculptures made from flotsam and jetsam. In August, “Island in the Sea” will feature immersive oil paintings of the views from a kayak. turpentinegallery.art
Vineyard Glassworks
In three words: Handmade glass studio.
Vineyard Glassworks is open year-round, blowing and selling glass, as you may have guessed. Every summer, the glassworkers invite an artist to come to the Island, work with the team, then exhibit their art. This July, Claire Kelly, a New York glassworker, is joining the team for a week to showcase her art on July 27. For those less experienced in glasswork, the Hot Glass Sand Casting Experiences give families and individuals a hands-on opportunity to make their own sand molds, into which the Glassworks team will pour hot glass. mvglassworks.com