This little violet made an early entry. I caught it growing up out of where the street once pushed against the lawn before we had the sewer and water lines re-done on Vestal Street. I apologize for the blurriness. It was about 9:30 in the morning and its little face was enjoying the morning sun coming through the trees in the east. You can tell its morning by that light. Violets remind me of when I was young and we had “the woods” along the side of our house – a wooded area that was part of the lot of our house, and on a corner and going down a hill. My brother and I spent a lot of time in “the woods.” The neighborhood was designed and built in the early 1920s and it was full of wonderful Colonial revival-style houses. Our house had a tremendous drainage system for keeping water out of the basement. It could have been related to springs under the house but also to the fact that the house was built on the side of the hill so there was rainwater runoff on the lawn and street. The drainage kept the basement clear but better yet, for two children it made for great water fun in spring and summer – building little dikes and making stone walls that caused the water to cascade. But I also picked a lot of violets along the woods. They loved the dappled shade there. My Nana and I would work with me to pick them and then candy them each year. We would patiently coat them in egg white and sugar water and then use them to decorate cakes. I do not look at a violet without thinking of that. A sweet delicate flower and that color! Imagine them sparkling on top of a deliciously frosted cake! JNLF

NANTUCKET, MA—The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) is thrilled to welcome photographer, Charity Grace Mofsen, as an Artist-in-Residence May 31 – August 5, 2024. Mofsen’s astrophotography will be on display at an opening reception on Friday, May 31 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at 33 Washington Street. This event is free to the public. In addition to Mofsen’s opening reception on Friday, May 31, gallery open hours will be held from 5:30pm – 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday starting May 31 and ending August 4 at 33 Washington Street (subject to changes). Please check our website calendar for up-to-date hours at: https://www.mariamitchell.org/calendar Charity Grace Mofsen captures the island of Nantucket in all its glory – in light and at night. With a particular affinity for astrophotography, she believes there is always light, if you have eyes to see it. From fine art landscapes to intimate weddings, fun portrait sessions, and creative product photography, Mofsen finds joy sharing her love of Nantucket with the hope that others will also cherish the island’s natural beauty. Returning as an Artist-in-Residence for the Maria Mitchell Association, her work speaks to [wo]man’s connection to the cosmos. Describing her style as meditative, Mofsen highlights the beauty of the island’s contrasts – the solitude of the off-season and the joy of summer, the colors of the light and the wisdom of the night. This year’s show will expand to include new work from off-island locations blessed with dark skies.  “I’m really looking forward to working with the Maria Mitchell Association again and creating new work during this year’s Artist-in-Residency program. This year’s show, ‘A Love Starry,’ will feature my Milky Way portrait series – fine art astro portraiture – alongside my fine art landscapes of Nantucket Island, with a couple of new locations added this year. I’ll also be hosting some exciting events at 33 Washington Street to really experience each piece of work that is on display The Maria Mitchell Association is a private non-profit organization. Founded in 1902, the MMA works to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages. ###