Known for their fishing ports, sailing, whaling and beautiful shores, Cape Cod and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are iconic locations for artistic inspiration. With a rich history and picturesque scenery, it’s no wonder that so many artists, museums and galleries have made this maritime region home. The area also graces art history books, with the recognized artist Charles Hawthorne founding the first art school to teach outdoor figure painting at Cape Cod School of Art in 1899, in Provincetown, Massachusetts. 
Haven Harbor on Martha’s Vineyard. Image by Daniel Rodriguez.
By establishing the art school, Hawthorne brought Provincetown, located on the very tip of the Cape, into extreme popularity for many artists. It remains an epicenter for the arts today, with the Provincetown Tourism Office boasting over more than 50 galleries along the infamous Commercial Street, which is also home to the Provincetown Art Association and Museum. Visitors to the museum can view year-around exhibitions such as The Silent Side of a Shiver: Photographs by Francis Olschafskie, on display July 23 through September 19. Collectors can also see the long-established Thanassi Art Gallery, featuring minimalist seascapes pieces by Thanassi.
Another popular art hub on the Cape is located in the town of Chatham, and includes noteworthy galleries such as Gallery Antonia. The gallery displays wonderful works by artists greatly inspired by the area, and they also offer in-home services to help with art placement. From August 20 through the 22, Chatham visitors can also attend the 50th annual Festival of the Arts, hosted by the Creative Arts Center, where you will find plethora of mediums and styles of art for sale. This includes jewelry, clothing, woodwork and ceramics.
Provincetown Art Association & Museum. Courtesy of PAAM.
To the South of the Cape are the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, also very popular destinations for art adventures. On July 17, the Artists Association of Nantucket (AAN) will be hosting their Summer Art Auction & Gala at the Great Harbor Yacht Club. This year will have an array of Nantucket inspired artworks and artist demonstrations, along with a celebration of the featured artist, Lynn Nicholas. The AAN has additional fun events such as their traditional Sidewalk Art Shows and Plein Air Nantucket.
Martha’s Vineyard, to the west of Nantucket, also has hidden gems worth viewing, including Edgartown Art Gallery. The gallery showcases dozens of contemporary artists exploring a variety of themes and mediums, along with historic pieces from the 19th and early 20th century. Make sure to also catch any of the Vineyard Artisan Festivals throughout the year, including the annual Summer Festivals happening throughout June, July and August. 
Cape Cod Museum of Art. Courtesy of CCMOA.
This beautiful northeastern region has all this and so much more for all American art collectors and connoisseurs. In continuing your adventuring, make sure to also check out galleries such as Addison Art Gallery and Gallery 31 Fine Art. Notable artists to find are Aleta Rossi Steward and Frank M. Costantino.
The Art of Vacationing
Cape Cod and the Islands have many hotels and inns that capture the fresh, airy feel of living on the coast. Listed below are a few locations that are steps from beaches, art hubs and cultural destinations.
The Inn at Cook Street in Provincetown, has been serving the area for 181 years, and is located right in the middle of the art action. The building is a beautifully maintained 1836 Greek Rival, with two cottages, a koi pond and beautiful gardens. It’s just a quick walk to the center of town and is steps away from access to the harbor beaches. www.innatcookstreet.com
“Relaxed sophistication” is the principle behind the Union Street Inn on Nantucket Island, right on the harbor. This classy yet, cozy establishment displays one-of-a-kind artwork, with amenities and aesthetics that promote peace and tranquility. www.unioninn.com
Located across from the harbor in historic Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, on Martha’s Vineyard is the Summercamp Hotel, a charming and whimsical spot that is designed in a summer camp theme. The website notes that Oak Bluff has a history as a summer camp destination for the Methodist Church, and in honor of that, the hotel adds many nostalgic touches, but with a cozy, clean and soothing feel. www.summercamphotel.com
The Art of Dining
You wouldn’t want to visit these harbor towns without trying some of the freshest seafood around. Listed below are some local hot spots for just that; fresh seafood, along with a welcoming atmosphere.
The Lobster Pot in Provincetown is considered a local tradition, and also happens to be located on Commercial Street, right in the middle of the iconic art scene. They have waterfront dining and have the freshest seafood, steaks and poultry dishes, along with Portuguese specialties. www.ptownlobsterpot.com
For a fancy and delicious outing, you must go to Straight Wharf Restaurant, celebrating its 46th year of business on Nantucket Island. This classy establishment follows a two-course prix fixe menu with scrumptious seafood entrees such as “day boat scallops."
www.straightwharfrestaurant.com
Just off the main street in downtown Edgartown, on Martha’s Vineyard, 19 Raw Oyster Bar offers a wide selection of New England oysters, along with other items such as shrimp, lobster and cod. Their intimate, fresh and casual setting also has a large wine, beer and cocktail menu. www.19rawoysterbar.com
+++
Addison Art Gallery
43 S. Orleans Road, Orleans, MA 02653
(508) 255-6200, art@addisonart.com
www.addisionart.com
Now celebrating its 25th summer, Addison Art Gallery represents artists from across the United States, Canada and France, and has garnered an admirable reputation for discovering exceptional emerging artists and bringing them to the market. Addison is the creator of fascinating exhibitions including After Hopper, Before the Masterpieces and Cape Lore, among others. The gallery’s reputation for personal service and community support is unmatched.
Addison Art Gallery, The Port Sheds, acrylic and oil, 11 x 31½", by Olivier Suire Verley.
In addition to garnering international collectors for many artists including Paul Schulenburg, Addison has quite successfully introduced France’s widely collected Olivier Suire Verley and Canada’s notable Sara Jane Doberstein, to the art market in the states.
Jonathan McPhillips, Jonathan Earle and Paul Batch have also done exceptionally well. Earle describes the background of his piece Shipping Out in stating, “Fishermen get caught in weather, but they do not ship out into weather. Shipping Out shows a moment in time after the weather has passed and an eager captain can get back to sea.”
Addison Art Gallery, Shipping Out, oil on panel, 18 x 24", by Jonathan Earle.
For his piece Quiet Harbor, a night scene of a dock, McPhillips says, “[This piece] depicts Wellfleet, Massachusetts, in those quiet hours when the summer crowds and local fisherman have taken a break, yet in the morning, the bustling activity is set to resume again.” 
Addison Art Gallery, Quiet Harbor, oil, 18 x 24", by Jonathan McPhillips.
Verley, who paints light and movement, works from his head. He travels often and extensively but waits months before painting scenes of a place he has visited. “I too live on a coast: that of an island in the Atlantic, the island of Ré,” says Verley. “Its charms could be mistaken for those of Cape Cod. The light, the sand dunes, the island character imposed on us by geography, the solidarity of the seafarers and the endless sky that opens the heart and the mind.”
+++
Aleta Rossi Steward
57 Colonial Way, Harwich, MA 02645
(508) 246-5089
aletastewardartist@gmail.com
www.aletasteward.com
Artist Aleta Rossi Steward has been painting wildlife for over 39 years, and on Cape Cod, the inspiration to paint comes naturally.
“The bird life here is unparalleled,” Steward says “I feel it’s important to know your subjects, otherwise you’ll come up with inconsistencies. Because of this, I spend time researching and observing the birds as much as possible, both here on the Cape and on Nantucket. This allows me a diverse range of subjects, from shorebirds to songbirds.”
Aleta Rossi Steward, Dad’s Roses, oil on linen, 11 x 14"
Most of the time, Steward draws what she wants using photos as reference, but not necessarily painting exactly what’s there. “That’s how one ends up with an artwork, rather than an illustration,” she says.“I have a signature style I developed some years ago, where I abstract and blend the colors and shapes of the background. This allows for a suggested background, without being overwhelmed with detail. This technique is shown in the painting Dad’s Roses.”
Aleta Rossi Steward, Movement in Blue, oil on linen, 18 x 24"
Steward recommends collectors research the artist to see how experienced they are. “I think it’s always a good idea to collect from an artist that shows consistency and is devoted to their career,” she explains. “Most often, these are the artists who will paint something you will continue to enjoy and find interest in for many years.”
+++
Edgartown Art Gallery
27 S. Summer Street, Edgartown, MA 02539
(508) 627-5991
www.edgartownartgallery.com
Best known for his Gloucester, Massachusetts, fishing scenes, war convoys and marine battle scenes, Anton Fischer, represented by Edgartown Art Gallery, was born in Munich, Germany, and came to New York City in 1903. He has also illustrated books such as Moby Dick, Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Treasure Island.
Orphaned at 15 years old, Fischer was forced to study for priesthood, but eventually ran away. He became a printer’s devil, then went to sea for eight years and later studied for two years in Paris with Jean Paul Laurens at the Académie Julian, spending summers painting landscapes in Normandy. 
Edgartown Art Gallery, Fly Fishing, oil on canvas, 23½ x 29", by Anton Fischer (1882-1962).
Once back in the U.S., Fischer began working as a magazine and book illustrator for Harper’s Weekly, the Saturday Evening Post, and worked with writer Jack London, among others. Foc’s’le Days, a book about his years at sea, was published in 1947. During World War II, Fischer worked as an official Coast Guard artist. His paintings are now in the Coast Guard Academy collection, as well as the collections of the Mystic Seaport Museum and Kendall Whaling Museum.
The Edgartown Art Gallery represents high-caliber artists, celebrating traditional fine art encompassing a variety of genres.
+++
Thanassi Art Gallery
234 Commercial Street
Provincetown, MA 02657
(508) 487-0233
www.thanassigallery.com
Two passions collided and blossomed when artist Thanassi was young. He began painting at the beach with his grandmother in 1969, where he has been painting ever since. The Thanassi Art Gallery was opened in 1989, and they are now in their 30th year of business. “My artistic vision is inspired by the unique light, nature and life one finds in Provincetown,” says Thanassi.
Thanassi Art Gallery, Long Point, oil on canvas, 36 x 60", Thanassi.
Studying at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and later studying with a dozen artists, fine-tuned Thanassi’s skills, including studying the techniques of the Dutch Masters, which involves an under-painting, followed by 12 thin glazes of oil paint. This creates the ethereal depth and light in his paintings.
Thanassi Art Gallery, Herring Cove, oil on canvas, 48 x 36", by Thanassi.
“The other important aspect of my work involves meditation,” Thanassi says. “The process of my painting begins with meditation at the seashore, losing myself within the tranquility of nature and the eternal sea, absorbing the peace and tranquility of my surroundings, then meditating again in my studio, releasing that tranquil feeling into my work.”
Thanassi’s paintings are filled with strong emotions, conveyed by the looseness of his brushstrokes, simplicity in his lines and freedom in his figures. “My ethereal, minimalist seascapes go beyond the traditional form and state of mind, as they extrude a serene and calming affect which mirrors one’s soul and existence,” says Thanassi.
+++
Frank M. Costantino
(617) 846-4480
www.fmcostantino.com/gallery
Frank M. Costantino is an accomplished watercolor painter of urban scenes, landscapes, homes, portraits and still life in a plein air, or a direct alla prima colorist style. 
Frank M. Costantino, 02564 MA - Sconset P.O. Social Center (Nantucket, MA), watercolor, 10¼ x 14¼"
For over 40 years, Costantino has been an annual traveler to Nantucket, painting and drawing its many inviting scenes. He has also served as a juror for the Nantucket Plein Air Festival, and has been a painter and exhibitor in the event. Costantino has hosted watercolor workshops for the Art Association of Nantucket. Similarly, he has been an exhibiting member and workshop instructor for the Plymouth Art Guild.
Costantino is a signature member of the New England Watercolor Society in Boston, and he is an elected member of the Salmagundi Club of New York. He is also a long-standing member and supporter of many local associations. Collectors around the country have acquired his distinctive watercolor originals and limited-edition prints. Articles on his work have been published in a variety of national and regional magazines and other publications. A number of his extensively viewed demo videos can be found on YouTube.
+++
Gallery Antonia
1291 Main Street, Chatham, MA 02633
(508) 469-4020
domonic@galleryantonia.com
www.galleryantonia.com
Since opening in 2010, Gallery Antonia has been fortunate to showcase an incredible stable of awarded and gifted artists. They work in mediums that vary from oil, watercolor, acrylic and egg tempera and surfaces such as linen canvas, archival paper and panel. Many of the gallery’s Cape Cod artists are inspired by the natural beauty of this special place, which may be experienced in all seasons.
Gallery Antonia, Plum Daffy Boat House, Chatham, MA, pastel, 20 x 25", by Ginny Nickerson.
Chatham and the surrounding towns all have their unique charm and that can simplify the narrative. Gallery Antonia artists have their favorite locations that inspire. Susan A. Hollis enjoys painting scenes of the bayside in Brewster, while Ginny Nickerson has a love for the areas around Stage Neck Harbor in Chatham. Bill Lane recently has gravitated toward the Old Village in town and has created many watercolors of those wonderful antique homes with ocean views.
Gallery Antonia, Catbird Seat, watercolor, 10 x 10", by Ann Hart.
“It’s important to understand your likes and dislikes when collecting,” says gallery owner Domonic Boreffi. “What pieces stay with you in the days to come after seeing them in a gallery or on a website? I think that awareness can be helpful in determining one’s tastes, especially over the duration of time. It has been very exciting for me as a gallery owner over the years to see clients become more confident and self-assured in their purchases from when their art collecting started.”
Gallery Antonia, Birch Grove, oil on linen canvas, 20 x 24", by Sue Gilkey.
Gallery Antonia offers in-home services, and they assist clients with art placement. This service brings the art experience full circle from first seeing the work to having it installed in the home or business, to total long-term enjoyment.
+++
Gallery 31 Fine Art
Main Street Square, Orleans, MA 02653
508) 208-6703
www.gallery31capecod.com
Nestled amid upscale shops where Main Street meets Route 6A, Gallery 31 Fine Art specializes in original, timeless representational and interpretive fine art of Cape Cod—the sea, the shore and the sky. Voted first place again this year for best fine art gallery on the Cape, Gallery 31 exhibits one of the largest collections of soft pastel paintings on the Cape, along with oil, watercolor and alcohol ink. All artists are represented exclusively by Gallery 31 on Cape Cod.
Gallery 31 Fine Art, Ocean Symphony, pastel, 10 x 30", by Jeanne Rosier Smith.
Gallery owner and director Sherry Rhyno paints in oil and pastel. A former university dean, she combines a love of education and fine art, educating guests with info on the mysteries, inspirations and processes used by gallery artists.
Richard McKinley, the 2010 inductee into the Pastel Society of America’s Hall of Fame; Jeanne Rosier Smith, a signature member of the Pastel Society of America and master artist of Boston’s Copley Society; Tony Allain of the Pastel Society of the United Kingdom; and Deborah Quinn-Munson, signature member of the Pastel Society of America, lead the pack at “31” and are internationally coveted.
Gallery 31 Fine Art, Evening Calm, pastel, 24 x 36", by Jeanne Rosier Smith.
The highlight of this summer’s season is the August solo exhibition Water Views opening August 14, and features new works in pastel by Smith. She explains, “Capturing the ocean with my own ‘water views’ allows me to live at the beach and refresh my spirit year-round. Body surfing has made me intimate with the power of waves: an up-close view, the joy of the lift and ride, the power, light and spray—that’s what I capture in my art.”
Gallery 31 Fine Art, Sky Dance, pastel, 16 x 12", by Jeanne Rosier Smith.
The artists of Gallery 31 share a passion for capturing a breathtaking moment with paint, as a rich treasure to enjoy now and by future generations. Twenty-two years strong, Gallery 31 Fine Art is often called “the art collector’s jewel.”
+++
Provincetown Office of Tourism
(508) 487-3298
tourism@provincetown-ma.gov
www.ptowntoursim.com
Sixty miles out to sea at the very tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is noteworthy for the clarity of its light. It was that light that drew painter Charles Hawthorne to this fishing town in 1899, where he established the Cape Cod School of Art. Over the decades, artists of all stripes, from plein air painters to abstract expressionists, colonized the town. They came to paint the dunes, the beaches and the townscape, or they simply drew inspiration from this free-thinking haven at the edge of the Cape. They included Edward Hopper, Norman Rockwell and Milton Avery, as well as Helen Frankenthaler, Hans Hofmann, Franz Kline, Lee Krasner, Robert Motherwell and Jackson Pollock.
Artist at work. Courtesy Provincetown Office of Tourism.
Provincetown remains the oldest continuous arts colony in the United States, but it has long since morphed from a remote fishing village into a thriving bohemian enclave, a haven for free spirits and creatives that has become one of the premier LGBTQ+ communities in the country. The legacy of art instruction continues to this day, as artists come to study in workshops offered at the Cape School of Art, the Provincetown Art Association and Museum and the Fine Arts Works Center. More than 50 galleries can be found along Commercial Street, and the traditional Friday night gallery strolls are legendary. While they’ve been virtual for the past year, they are expected to return this summer.
Provincetown is home to more than 50 fine art galleries. Courtesy Provincetown Office of Tourism.
Boat dock. Courtesy Provincetown Office of Tourism.
Provincetown’s enduring artistic heritage and support of the arts community has led to its designation as a Massachusetts Cultural District.
After more than a year of pandemic living, Provincetown offers artists an extraordinary landscape that’s the perfect place for a fresh start. The sea, sand and sky present an ever-changing tableau for painters, while the clapboard cottages and sea captain’s homes are as charming as ever, and the freedom of expression that defines this small town remain a compelling reason to visit this summer. —
Powered by Froala Editor