The Artists Association of Nantucket (AAN) is offering a variety of art classes during February 2025. Valentine Crafting with Lizbet Carroll Fuller is ideal for ages 16+ and all levels from 5 to 7 pm on February 6. On February 13 from 5:30 to 7 pm, AAN is offering a free Valentine Making Extravaganza for ages 5 and older (an adult must accompany each child). A variety of materials will be on hand to paint, collage, and print at this community event.
January 31 through February 14, all are invited to celebrate the season of love with a Valentine’s themed exhibition featuring works from Artists Association of Nantucket member artists. This exhibit will be on display in the Visual Arts Center & Champion Gallery at 24 Amelia Drive.
In the AAN Studios, Robert Frazier will teach Starry Nights: Painting Techniques II for ages 18+ from February 6 to March 6, and Leyah Jensen Marshall will teach Go with the Flow: Alcohol Ink Zen Art for ages 18+ from February 4 to March 4.
On February 5, 12, 19, and 26, painters of all levels can join an evening class held online on Color Mastery: How to Make Gorgeous Color Combinations. From 5:30 to 8 pm, this live online class with Mary Byrom will be in an interactive format for beginning to advanced painters of a variety of media. Participants will learn how to mix clean, beautiful colors and use color skillfully. In addition, painters will develop color sensitivity to use color more effectively to convey emotion and mood in their paintings.
For details on all AAN classes and to register, visit nantucketarts.org or call 508-228-0722.
In other art news, the Artists Association of Nantucket has announced the purchase of 8 Federal Street (the former location of Lucille Jordan Real Estate) to be used as a new gallery space beginning in the summer of 2026. The Cecelia Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery at 19 Washington Street will be sold to finance the purchase of 8 Federal Street.
“This property offers an opportunity to expand and remodel, so it is our plan to create a gallery with increased square footage, a more sophisticated and modern space to display art offering easy pick-up and drop-off for our artists,” says Robert Frazier, Artistic Director.
Since 2022, AAN has rented the second floor of the Thomas Macy Warehouse as AAN’s Big Gallery as a secondary exhibition space to the Cecelia Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery. “While both galleries have been successful, it has been our goal for some time to have one highly visible flagship gallery in downtown Nantucket,” shared AAN Executive Director Tracey Sears.
The new gallery at 8 Federal Street will be open with a limited capacity in 2025. Artist Members will showcase their work at the Big Gallery throughout the year with rotating shows. Laurie Champion, Board President, says “A lot of flexibility will be needed, but the Board of Directors is completely committed to making this transition as smooth as possible. As the Artists Association celebrates its 80th anniversary, we are thrilled to build a landmark in the town of Nantucket, our legacy to serve the community for generations to come.”
AAN’s 2025 calendar, including special 80th anniversary programming, a full schedule of gallery exhibitions, a historic Gala, and a special Permanent Collection Dinner and Lifetime Achievement Award, will be announced soon. To learn more about AAN programming and events, please visit the website at nantucketarts.org, or call the Visual Arts Center at 508-228-0722.
