Cambridge Street Victuals — more than a restaurant
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL GALVIN Peter Brace, Nantucket Independent writer

I f you thought cozy Cambridge Street Victuals was only a restaurant and a bar, you have another think coming. Since Trish Collette and Meghan McCutcheon bought the business in 2005, with Collette's husband Tim serving as a silent partner, they have displayed the work of island artist Hannah Stone on their walls.

IBeginning today, the women are initiating a new program featuring local artists who have never shown their work before, are emerging artists just beginning to be known or even established artists whose paintings fit well into the restaurant's environment, to help promote their talent as well as give restaurant patrons something new and interesting to look at each week while dining or enjoying drinks.

"We wanted to get more involved in the art community," said Trish Collette. "Cambridge Street is a little eccentric and there has always been a good relationship between us and different artists. This helps both of us. It helps us branch out to people who wouldn't necessarily be coming to Cambridge Street and it gives the artists an opportunity to showcase their work."

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Collette said she has friends on the Nantucket Arts Council who sent out word that the restaurant was looking for submissions. The acceptance process entails artists sending about three examples of their work by e-mail, and if the women like them they will contact those artists and invite them to display. Victoria Harvey, formerly executive director of The Homestead, is the program's premiere artist whose work will be seen tonight when Cambridge Street opens at 5 p.m.

"It's not that I'm picky or choosy, I just want to make sure [the art] goes with the dining and cocktail experience," said Collette. "It's nice for [patrons] to have new pieces to look at with rotating art. I'm really excited about this. It seems really easy and natural and we are looking forward to it."

Displays will change every Wednesday. Collette said it is too early to know whether the art will influence the menu or if it may be the other way around.

"We have a very versatile menu as it is, so it is unique,

especially for Nantucket." I