Nantucket has been an oasis for artists of all kinds for nearly 100 years. The island’s art colony bloomed throughout the 1920s, grew in the 1930s, and faced a crisis in 1943 when the only exhibition gallery closed. Then, the transformation of an abandoned warehouse on Straight Wharf into a new gallery space by the summer of 1945 changed everything. That year, a handful of artists and patrons at the center of the scene formed the Artists Association, and their dynamic mission of promoting island artists, providing art education, and collecting Nantucket’s art history insured the future of art & art education on Nantucket.
Now celebrating their 75th year, the Artists Association of Nantucket is facing a new set of challenges. With many much-loved live events making the move online, these virtual versions allow for a bigger audience, easier access, and more effective funding for this beloved island institution.
On Saturday, July 18, the Artist Association of Nantucket will honor Nantucket artist Robert Frazier at this year’s special At Home Dinner & Auction. The auction is an at-home event this year, with the purchase of tickets and tables benefitting the AAN in celebration of their anniversary and their mission.
“This year the auction will be available to anyone in the Nantucket community and across the country through the live telethon,” said Courtney Bridges, AAN’s Executive Director, “We are excited to be able to celebrate the association’s 75th Anniversary, an important
milestone in AAN’s history, with friends near and far.
“We are proud to commemorate all that AAN has accomplished over these 75 years, and look forward to our future with strength, and determination. AAN has faced many challenges during its history, and will continue to thrive in the new normal of the coronavirus,” said
Robert Frazier, AAN’s Artistic Director. Robert Frazier is also the author of the just-published Born From A Hurricane – 75 Years of the Artists Association of Nantucket, 1945-2020.
By age 12, Robert “Bobby” Frazier was taught to draw and paint by his mother, artist Barbara Brown Frazier. In his early years, Frazier worked for the AAN. In 1974, he joined as a member artist, and he went on to become president of the Association for 5 years until 2004. Frazier, who in addition being a fine artist is also a published author, is currently AAN’s Art Director, managing the AAN Permanent Collection and overseeing the hanging of present-day exhibitions at the Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery at 19 Washington Street and at AAN events.
“AAN remains grateful to our numerous supporters, and we will continue to find ways for the community to view new works of art while also supporting our local artist members during these very different times,” says Frazier.
The At Home Dinner & Auction includes an online Silent Auction component at https://www.32auctions.com/GalaSilent20 – bidding ends at 8pm on July 21. For more details on how to participate and watch the event and to purchase a ticket or table to support this valuable island organization, visit nantucketarts.org