The Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs became a temporary gallery Monday for artists of all genres and ages as the All Island Art Show returned for its 65th year.
A celebration of the Island’s artistic community, the show invites all manner of visual creatives to enter their work for a $5 fee. For many artists who do not typically show their work, the event is an opportunity to gain recognition and sell their art.
At the end of the day, a panel of judges chooses the winners of more than 20 categories. This years Best in Show went to painter Sandra LaBell.
First prize watercolor and second prize photography winner Nancy Holt has featured her color photography prints and watercolors at the show for over a decade. She said she often sees the same visitors returning every year to purchase her greeting cards and new work.
“It’s a very supportive venue for artists,” she said. “It’s also like a once-a-year reunion for artists and community members.”
Ms. Holt has traditionally been helped by her friend Sally Flood, but this year Ms. Flood took the leap to enter her own watercolors.
“It’s an exciting day for me,” Ms. Flood said.
Suesan Stovall works in mixed media.
— Jeanna Shepard
All Island Art Show committee president Robert Schaefer said the show has become more difficult to put on, as the all-volunteer committee and panel of judges ages. But despite many hurdles, he said this year’s show was a success and featured 61 artists.
“It’s going well, especially considering the potential weather,” he said.
In addition to a wide range of artistic mediums, the show features artists of all ages. Brenda Watson retired in August 2001 from a long career at the New York Times and now shares her colorful portraits at the show. Nearby, 19-year-old Gisela Clausen-Diaz is taking time off from school to focus on her art — mostly-pink, intensely vibrant still life paintings.
Ms. Clausen-Diaz said that she is not emotionally ready to sell her work but hopes to learn from the show’s more-advanced artists.
Gregory Coutinho displays his oil paintings.
— Jeanna Shepard
Emily Becker won first prize in Drawing & Graphics for her stippling art, which uses tiny dots to create detailed illustrations. Ms. Becker attends the University of Wisconsin and said the show offers a rare opportunity to sell her work.
Gregory Coutinho grew up on the Island but now lives in New York City. He returns for a month every summer to visit his mother. Mr. Coutinho said he mostly works on commission but the show gives him a chance to display his paintings in public for a day.
As Mr. Coutinho talked, describing his work as “somewhere between impressionism and naturalism,” Karen Carpenter interrupted, asking to purchase one of his oil paintings.
“My husband and I always look for a piece of art to buy for our anniversary, and this year it’s Greg’s,” she said, selecting a plein-air painting of the moon reflecting on the water off Inkwell Beach.
Other attendees happened on the show by chance. Alex and Mari Pilling were visiting the Vineyard from Chicago and spending the day strolling through the Camp Ground when they stumbled upon their ideal cloudy day activity.
Self portrait by David Joseph
— Jeanna Shepard
“I saw the sign and I like paintings, so coming to check it out was the natural step,” Mr. Pilling said. “It was really just a stroke of luck, but it looks awesome.”
Folk artist Brian Kirkpatrick has been selling his acrylic paintings at the show since 2005. He said that experiences like the Pillings’ are part of the show’s value.
“This is the show to do because of the range of people that come here,” he said. “You get the people you usually see at the beach but wouldn’t ordinarily see at your show. It’s just the best.”
