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Andrea L. Rogers, founder

In 1986 if you were an artisan living on Martha’s Vineyard your options for selling your crafts or art were grim. You could give your wares to stores on consignment, but most times it would get man-handled, then handed back to you with a sad apology. If you were an artist and not lucky enough to have your own gallery, your options were again grim. It was off to the local gallery and wholesaling your individual painting, not a great way to earn a living selling your art. Fast forward to 1995, the year the New Agricultural Hall was built. I thought it seemed like such a logical place to have artists and craftsmen display their wares. One of the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society board members was Jules Worthington, a very good friend of mine. He brought me to one of the meetings so I could ask if they would consider my new idea, and if this new festival could be on Labor Day weekend. A short while later I was given permission.

Having a great idea doesn’t guarantee success. I was unknown to almost all artists and getting Islanders to trust me enough to do a show, and pay in advance, wasn’t easy. It took months of phone calls and meetings. Then I realized I didn’t have enough money to pay the rent, so I applied to the Cultural Councils of Aquinnah, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, and was granted seed money.

It’s been 30 years since that first show, and today, whether you are a tourist or an islander you can enjoy a unique experience when you visit the festivals. Nowhere else on Martha’s Vineyard can you meet the Island Artisan and view hand-made fine art and craft. It’s a very personal experience when you buy direct from the artist. It gives the customer the story behind the art.

1059 State Road, West Tisbury, MA

“The Old Ag Hall”
Built in 1859, this was the original site of the Agricultural Fair until 1994, when the New Ag Hall was built down the road. Recently it was restored by the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust, which manages several historic properties on the island.

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The Vineyard Artisans Festivals provide an important link between the Community and the Arts. Our goal is to continue to bring together fine art and fine crafts and promote Island Artists and Artisans.

The Vineyard Artisans in conjunction with the Vineyard Craftsmen Scholarship Fund awards graduating students from the M.V. Regional High School several scholarships for studies in the Arts each year.

We thank the Local Cultural Councils, M.V. Agricultural Society, the Town of West Tisbury, The M.V. Preservation Trust, our wonderful Island Community and visitors alike for supporting us through the last 17 years, and into our future.

If you or someone you know is a full-time Islander interested in joining the Artisans Festivals, just call Show Manager Andrea Rogers to find out how to become part of these wonderful events.

Andrea Rogers – Founder
508-693-7927
artisan02557@yahoo.com

Click here for the history of the Artisans Festivals.

Mission Statement
Since 1995 the mission of the Vineyard Artisans Festivals is to promote Island Art & Craft. It is a link between the Island community and the Arts, providing an opportunity for both new and established Island artisans to show and sell their work.

When you visit the Vineyard Artisans Festivals you are in for a unique experience which is not duplicated anywhere else on Martha’s Vineyard. We are the only art group that is exclusively made up of artisans who live and work on the island. All the art is hand-made by the artists. The artists represent their own work, explaining in detail the manner in which each piece of art was made and why.

Imagine entering the historic Grange Hall in West Tisbury and witnessing Carol Tripp spinning wool. Carol and her husband Richard raise sheep, hand-dye the wool themselves, and then spin and weave it into blankets, shawls, scarves, hats and much more. Or you can meet Lisa Stachan, who creates the most unique fine porcelain ceramics. Whether it’s hand-made jewelry by Kenneth Pillsworth or hand-forged iron brackets by our own blacksmith Jamie Rogers, the Vineyard Artisans Festivals is a must if you’re looking for a true piece of art native to Martha’s Vineyard.

We offer two special Festivals that take place at the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury. One is on Labor Day Weekend. It’s the Islands largest art show of the summer season. The Grand Hall has been the home of the Vineyard Artisans for the last 18 years. From the very first show it has been the only place to find over 120 island artisans proudly displaying their wares. These shows host some of the Island’s most talented furniture makers, fine artists and craftsmen. Enjoy music and horse rides for the children. Visit on Friday evening for the special opening. The second festival at the M.V. Agricultural Hall is the Thanksgiving weekend show, where you will find an abundance of holiday gift ideas for your home and some one special.

New this year is our Vineyard Artisans Cook Book. A true one of a kind, just like the art you will find in our show’s. The book is filled with our artisans favorite recipes and it’s illustrated by our own artist John Holladay. All proceeds from the book fund our Scholarship that we give to graduating students from the Martha’s Vineyard High Schools.

As always, the shows include catered local food. The shows are rain or shine, and also include free admission and plenty of parking.