Menagerie of Marvels: Paintings by Eleanor Hubbard
Menagerie of Marvels: Paintings by Eleanor Hubbard
Guest Curator Donna Hassler
Meet twelve animals whose lives changed the moment they crossed paths with artist Eleanor Hubbard. Each one was in trouble, each one met “the right human at the right time,” and each one was saved. In this exhibition, Hubbard paints and draws them as both real, beloved creatures and bright symbols of luck, using oil and watercolor to blur the line between what we see and what we feel.
A longtime Vineyard artist and rescuer of animals on and off the Island, Hubbard has spent her career turning acts of care into works of art. At the heart of the show is José, a legendary West Tisbury ox who weighed nearly 2,500 pounds and inspired hundreds of artworks in every medium, including film. Here, a towering pyramid of more than 100 tiny watercolor cutouts of José offers a playful, colorful tribute to his larger-than-life presence.
Hubbard’s commitment to animals extends beyond the studio. In 2018 she created “Hubbard’s Cupboard,” a community fund that helps Islanders with veterinary care for their pets through the Martha’s Vineyard Animal Shelter. Together, the artworks and the stories behind them invite visitors to reflect on rescue, gratitude, and the many ways animals and humans save each other.
DETAILS
| From | August 21, 2026 |
|---|---|
| To | January 17, 2027 |
| Location | Waggaman Community Gallery |