About Us
The Artists Association of Nantucket is a non-profit cultural
organization dedicated to fostering the growth of the visual arts on
Nantucket. The island’s transformation from a fishing community to a
summer retreat began after World War II. It has attracted artists for
many years – John Steinbeck finished East of Eden here, Eastman
Johnson, Tony Sarg, Elizabeth Rebecca Coffin, and Charles Green Shaw
worked here. In the 1945, local artists and craftspeople formed an
association “to develop Nantucket as a recognized art center, and to
promote the education and interest of Nantucket artists.” They
established a gallery on the island, and set high standards, with
loaned exhibitions from the Whitney and the Metropolitan Museum in New
York, and guest speakers such as Tennessee Williams and Thornton Wilder.
Today, the Artists Association of Nantucket offers year-round educational
programming for children and adults at the Gardner Perry Lane Workshop,
a full calendar of exhibitions at the Joyce & Seward Johnson
Gallery, maintenance of the historic AAN Permanent Collection, and a
lively schedule of special events. With over 240 artist members, we
represent the best of Nantucket’s artistic and cultural community. It’s
a vital and vibrant association and a rare link to the origins of
Nantucket’s artist colony.
The
AAN relies on membership dues, donations, and fundraising to meet its
financial goals. Members are artists and art lovers who take classes,
visit our gallery, attend lectures and special events, and keep the
arts alive and well on Nantucket.
A copy of the AAN's Form 990 is available upon request. Please email Lucy Cobb.