Vineyard Confidential

Missing Dawn Greeley: An Odd And Strangely Beautiful Passing of A Friend

I still miss her, as do all her friends. A memorial garden is dedicated to her at Featherstone Center For The Arts. Occasionally I go there to sit on the bench to wait for her spirit to come perch beside me.

I hadn’t realized at the time that my arrival at Dawn’s house in Chilmark carried with it an omen. It was September of 2007 and Dawn Greeley, a high-powered exec-turned-painter, plus Marcia Smilack, photographer of synesthesia sensibilities (this means you see colors of musical notes and apprehend calendar dates in abstract patterns; yeah, I know; if you don’t have it, you don’t get it), and I, writer, bookstore owner, and local screwball, all three of us met at Dawn’s house for a post-summer debriefing. Dawn lived in a contemporary house on a hilltop overlooking a seven-acre property. As we approached the bottom of the stone-slab steps, a sudden nausea came over me. As neurotic in the Woody Allen style as I tend to me, I have never …

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Michael West

9:26 am on Friday, April 19, 2013

What a lovely recollection of an equally lovely woman. I miss Dawn. And thanks to Holly for this piece on a dear friend passing on. I know I will remember those comforting things she wrote when I face losing those close to me.   more ›

Photo of the Day!

A vintage clock is being sold at the Featherstone Flea Market.

Do you have a photo of the day? Please upload to this photo gallery. Include your name and caption.

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Calling all iPhone Photographers!

Featherstone is now accepting iPhone photographs for their iPhone Photography Show

The Art of iPhone Photography Show is an open call show curated by Featherstone. The opening reception will be Sunday, June 10 from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm in the Virginia Weston Besse Gallery. The show continues through Wednesday, June 27, open each day from noon - 4:00 pm. Featherstone invites artists to submit new photographs for this show (with a maximum of three works per artist). Photos must come from your digital phone. All photographs must be framed and ready to hang in the main gallery room. Unframed matted photos will be displayed on the porch. Drop off: Friday, June 8 between 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Those interested in participating should notify Featherstone ahead of time: 508-693-1850

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New Things to Come at the 3rd Annual Garden Tea Party & Fashion Show at Featherstone

Several new participants and plans for this year’s traditional event

While the Chair of the 3rd Annual Garden Tea Party at Featherstone is once again Judy Cunniffe, there are several new things planned for this year's event while many of the previous year’s traditions remain. For starters, Cunniffe has recruited two new fashion show coordinators: Susan Garrett and Susan Potter who have secured 16 Vineyard retailers and Island designers.  Of the 16, this year will include new five new stores: the Collection, Nochi, Suka, Pandora's Box and Vineyard Vines. There is even a unique ensemble featuring children's dancewear with capes and crowns to be presented by Gabriella Camilleri and Lucinda Sheldon. And Michael Hunter of Pik Nick is expected to present a thrilling new fashion statement. As the models present …

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Get Out!

Weekend Planner: August 6-7

Festivals galore this weekend! Plus, a parade, a birthday party for art and a powerful lesson in forgiveness.

Jazz Festival The first annual Martha’s Vineyard Jazz Festival kicks off Saturday with a parade at 12:45 p.m. The parade will start at the Oak Bluffs ferry terminal, through Oak Bluffs, then end on State Beach with the MV Jazz-festers Beach Party. Jazz Festival performances and events take place daily through August 12. For a full schedule to go http://mvjazzfest.com.   Arty Party Featherstone Center for the Arts has been celebrating its 15th anniversary all season long, and continues to do so this weekend! Join them on Saturday, August 6 from 3 to 8 p.m. for Arty Party, a day of open galleries topped off with a birthday cake and a barn dance.   Rwanda Meets MV Joseph Sebarenzi, former speaker of the Rwandan Parliament and author of “God …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need To Know Today: August 1

Kick off the month right with the Possible Dreams Auction, an all-Island art show and a chance to score free books.

1. The Mike Benjamin Band will take to the outdoor stage for Featherstone Center for the Arts’ Musical Mondays. Bring a picnic dinner, lawn chairs or a blanket for the 6:30 p.m. show. Admission is $7, $5 with the Our Island Club Card and free for those under 14.  2. The 33rd annual Possible Dreams Auction, which benefits Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, will take place at 5 p.m. at Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs. Tickets for the usually star-studded auction are $25, $300 for a dinner following the auction. 3. The All-Island Art Show, a Vineyard tradition since 1958, will take over the Martha’s Vineyard Campmeeting Association Tabernacle from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Work from artists of all ages will be on display. 4. In the evening the Tabernacle …

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