Our Mission
The mission of the Artists Association of Nantucket is to foster the visual arts on Nantucket. We create a vibrant arts community by promoting, supporting and encouraging the work of Nantucket artists, providing educational programs in the arts, and preserving the legacy of Nantucket artists.
AAN HISTORY
AAN was born of necessity. The art colony on island bloomed throughout the 1920s, grew into a staple of the 1930s, and faced a crisis in 1943 when the lone exhibition gallery closed. A visionary patron spearheaded the transformation of an abandoned whaling-era warehouse on Straight Wharf into a new gallery space by the summer of 1945. The core of the art scene, both artists and dedicated patrons, formed the association that year, and our dynamic mission of promoting island artists, providing art education, and collecting Nantucket’s art history insured the art colony’s future.
During the decades that followed, AAN has showcased fine art in a range from projects by school-aged students to exceptional works by professionals. The association has developed a museum-quality collection of historical island art, built and expanded its educational reach with the construction of the Visual Arts Center, and provided a kick start for many generations of artists.
As we approach our 75th year, AAN remains dedicated to supporting and promoting the visual arts and the artists of Nantucket.




Contact Our Staff
- Courtney Bridges, Executive Director
- Robert Frazier, Artistic Director
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finance:
- Lucy Cobb, Business Manager
- Caroline Borrelli, Finance Associate
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development:
- Tracey Sears, Director of Development
- Olivia Jackson, Development Associate
public programs:
- Liz Hunt O'Brien, Public Programs Director
Education:
- Elizabeth Buccino, Director of Youth Programming & Ceramics Department Manager
- Elizabeth Congdon, Director of Adult Programming
- Maggie Murray, Education Program Associate
gallery:
- Peter Greenhalgh, Cecelia Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery Manager
- Ginger Andrews, Gallery Assistant
Board of Directors 2019 - 2020:
- Nellie O'Gara, President
- Bruce Beni, Vice President
- Patty Keneally, Vice President
- Peter Steingraber, Vice President
- Dan Dunlap, Treasurer
- Susan Coyne, Clerk
- John Lochtefeld, Director Emeritus
- Lynn Nicholas, Director Emeritus
- Barbara Beinecke Spitler, Director Emeritus
- George Thomas, Director Emeritus
- Anne Marie Bratton
- Laurie Champion
- Barbara Clarke
- Elle Foley
- Michael Gaillard
- Nan Geschke
- Barbara Gewirtz
- Kathleen Hay
- Janet Kloppenburg
- Andrew Kotchen
- Robert Miklos
- Jill Vieth
- Meghan Weeks
- Robin Wolpow
- Linda Wisnewski
Board Advisors
- Vince Calarco
- Illya Kagan
- Virginia Kinney
- Reggie E. Levine
- Sue Lingeman
- Valerie Norton
- Christine Sanford
- Penny Scheerer
- Daniel Sutherland
- John Sylvia
- Eva–Maria Tausig
- Donna Tillotson
Visual Arts Center
24 Amelia Drive, Nantucket MA 02554
Telephone: 508 228 0722
All classes and workshops meet at the Visual Arts Center. Please feel free to
stop by and pick up the latest brochure or membership information.
The organization’s administrative offices are located within the Visual
Arts Center as well.
Office hours:
Monday - Friday, 9AM to 5PM
Cecelia Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery
19 Washington Street, Nantucket MA 02554
Telephone: 508 228 0294
The downtown gallery hosts a year-round schedule of changing
member shows, featured artist exhibitions, artist demonstrations
and lectures, and special events. Join us on Friday evenings
throughout the season at our opening receptions.
Gallery hours: 10 a.m.—5 p.m.