for the ARTS record
Eve Ensler's "Vagina Monologues" The show is comprised of a series of monologues exploring the proverbial "down there" as a continent of cultural transcription - via characters that include a cocksure dominatrix and a Bosnian refugee who had been violated during the war. The play has become a metaphorical hand mirror for contemporary women (and men), sweeping the nation's colleges, where students have performed the monologues on Valentine's Day for the last decade. Laura Gallagher-Byrne directs the cast, which includes Annie Breeding, Meredith Martin, Margaret Hitchcock, Susan Lucier and Cheryl Fudge.

"We hope to get our name out there in people's consciousness," said Susan McGinnis, who organized the show as a fund-raiser for Seaside Shakespeare. "This play piques people's curiosity. It's contemporary, so there's a draw."

When: Wed., May 30, 7 p.m.

(The bar opens at 6 p.m.)

Where: The Chicken Box, Dave Street

Cost: $30

Kids' author signing: Brian Lies Brian Lies, author of the children's book "Bats at the Beach," will be at Nantucket Bookworks this Tuesday to read from his book and to sign copies. He has previously written and illustrated "Hamlet and the Enormous Chinese Dragon Kite" and "Hamlet and the Magnificent Sandcastle." He also publishes frequently in the children's magazines "Cricket," "Spider," "Ladybug" and "Babybug." Visiting schools to help children write and illustrate their own stories is one of his great pleasures. Brian and his wife, Laurel, will be arriving on-island in their special BATSmobile. Following the reading, they will lead a series of entertaining activities inspired by the book. Everyone who attends is expected to bring a hearty appetite for bugmallows.

When: Tues., June 5, 3:30 p.m. Where: Bookworks

Cost: Free

For more information, call 228-4000.

"Illustrating Nantucket" at the New School Malcolm Brooks is a web and graphic designer whose work runs from graffiti paintings to t-shirts and brochure design. He is only one of the artists whose work is on display at the Nantucket New School in "Illustrating Nantucket," an exhibit that hangs in the Great Hall at the Nantucket New School this month.

Curated by Melanie Kotalac, the exhibition includes drawings, sketches, paintings and graphic designs. "This is just a small sampling of the works by illustrators who live on Nantucket," Kotalac said. The artists include: Malcolm Brooks, Rose Gonnella, John Lochtefeld, Sue Riddle, Wendy Roulliard, Clara Urbhan, Nadine Westcott, Jeanne Van Etten, and Barbara Kaufmann-Locke.

Gonnella has illustrated a number of books including "Walking Nantucket" by Peter Brace. There are three original colored-pencil drawings by Gonnella from the book "Summer" in the exhibition. Sue Riddle's work represents corporate illustration and t-shirt and brochure design. She illustrated "I Gotta Go! I Gotta Go!" by Sam Swope, about a monarch butterfly's efforts to find its way to Mexico. John Lochtefeld is well-known on Nantucket for his whimsical prints, which are included in the book, "Tell Me your Dreams" by his late daughter Beth Lochtefeld. Clara Urbhan has illustrated many books for children including "The Sock Pirate." Nadine Westcott is also a prolific children's book illustrator, and one of her original drawings from "Miss Mary Mack" is included in the exhibition. Jeanne Van Etten creates a Nantucket calendar every year using her folk drawings, and, in addition, shows her work in galleries in Providence, R.I. Barbara Kaufmann-Locke works from her studio in 'Sconset. She is recognized most frequentl for her drawings of people's homes and her seagull motif, found in every painting. She has illustrated many books for children about Nantucket, including "What's So Special about Nantucket?"

When: Visitors are welcome to see the

exhibition, Monday- Friday, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

To make an appointment to see the exhibition

at another time, please call 228-8569. Where: Nantucket New School,

15 Nobadeer Farm Road I