Artists' Reception - Photography Exhibit attracts a crowd!

On Saturday, July 26 a capacity crowd visited the library to attend an Artists' Reception and Photography Exhibit in honor of Della Hardman Day.

The annual DELLA HARDMAN DAY, a celebration of the arts established by the Town of Oak Bluffs in 2005, was inspired by the life of Della B. Hardman, PhD (1922 -2005), Vineyard artist, civic activist & writer who chronicled cultural and social events in Oak Bluffs for the Vineyard Gazette for nearly a decade.

The Oak Bluffs Public Library, in conjunction with the fourth annual celebration on July 26, 2008, sponsored a contest to select images featuring photographs that will be on display at the library from July 25 to August 16. A calendar was also made from the winning entries and will be available for purchase at the library. Proceeds from the calendar will be used to support library programs.

Library Director, Danguole Budris; Library Trustee - Photography Judge, Harvey Beth; Della Hardman's Daughter, Andrea Taylor; and special guest Haki R. Madhubuti were on hand to celebrate the occasion. Madhubuti, an accomplished author and poet, as well as the founder, publisher, & editor of Third World Press, provided an insightful lecture regarding his life and the powerful roll of the arts in improving the human condition. The audience and honored artists were deeply moved by his words and the readings from several of his books:

Run Toward Fear: New Poems and a Poet's Handbook

YellowBlack: The First Twenty-One Years of a Poet's Life