Dear Team,
I am delighted to have the opportunity to talk about Lara O’Brien’s contribution to the arts on the island of Martha's Vineyard. Massachusetts.
The Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council is a key actor on the island. Its mission is to promote excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and interpretative sciences to improve the quality of life for all of the Island’s residents.
Each of the island’s six towns appoints three members to oversee the annual grant competition funded by the six towns and the state. Lara served as a representation from the Town of Tisbury (2017 - 2019). I served as a representative for the Town of West Tisbury and for five years as the Council’s chair.
Lara received three grants for writing workshops from the Council: “Connecting to Ireland” (2015); Martha’s Vineyard Teens Write” (2015); and “Move, Meditate, Write” (2019).
Lara and I were colleagues in John Hough Jr.’s Indian Hill Workshop. She completed four novels. Chesca and the Spirit of Grace was her debut novel. Lara regularly participated in readings of her work at Pathway ARTS. Pathway’s mission is to create and catalyze creative projects in the visual arts, writing, dance, and other collaborative forms.
Lara has been an exceptional contributor to writing on the Vineyard and a general leader in the arts community.
Respectfully,
Robert J-P. Hauck
Former chair, MV Cultural Council
