Three days this week—Thursday, Friday, and Saturday—the Nantucket Historical Association will light up the internet with a vibrant virtual event that embodies the creativity and passion of design.
Nantucket by Design is the NHA’s major summer fundraiser, and for 2020, their all-star slate of luminaries includes Alessandra Branca, Meg Braff, Richard Keith Langham, Young Huh, and Ellen Fisher.
In its fifth year, Nantucket by Design celebrates the island’s unique influence on American Design. Now open to a global audience, this year’s phenomenon brings together the world’s top talent in interior design and offers curated lectures, discussion panels, house tours, an in-depth look into the NHA archives, and the imaginative work of New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) students as they bring modern day life into NHA historical properties. Participants will enjoy virtual private dinners, a Night at the Museum virtual dance party, and The Nantucket Summer Antiques Show all through live-streaming platforms. Most importantly, this year’s event will deliver an exclusive Nantucket experience no matter where you may be, and provide the vital funding for the NHA to continue its steadfast commitment to steward and preserve the heritage of Nantucket.
“We are so looking forward to celebrating the special place that Nantucket holds for all of us with the unique programs we have developed for this year,” says Kelly Williams, Chair. “Our beautiful island provides solace and comfort in so many ways, and so, it is appropriate that we had chosen the theme of ‘Sanctuary’ for this year’s Nantucket by Design, well before we had any inkling of what was to come. Like so many other organizations, we are working hard to develop an engaging and inspiring event series while, at the same time, keeping safety paramount.”
All-Access Tickets give you entry to six of Nantucket by Design virtual events, including the Night at the Museum ending party. Leadership Package Tickets are available in six different levels: each includes tickets to events, plus additional perks customized for each ticket tier. Tickets are at available online at nha.org/join-give/benefitevents/ nantucket-by-design.
Nantucket by Design begins with the Design Luncheon, featuring one of the most talented names in design, Allessandra Branca. In addition to her thriving design career, Alessandra is an accomplished businesswoman, entrepreneur, and author. Her work has been featured repeatedly in magazines and she has been recognized within the industry with awards from House Beautiful Master Class and “Designer of the Year” from the Merchandise Mart.
The NHA has partnered with The Nantucket Summer Antiques Show, and ticket holders will get an exclusive first look at the collections of 32 dealers and enjoy an opening talk live via Zoom with renowned interior designer Alex Papachristidis, who will discuss how to incorporate antiques into modern interiors.
Nantucket by Design continues on Friday, July 31, with a virtual Design Panel, which brings together outstanding design talent, moderated by editor-in-chief of Veranda magazine Steele Marcoux. The line-up of distinguished design panelists includes Meg Braff, Richard Keith Langham, and Young Huh. The Design Panel is followed by All-Star Designer Private Dinners, providing guests with the unique opportunity to dine virtually with renowned design luminaries. Chaired by Gary McBournie and William Richards. In addition, ticketholders may, at their leisure, take virtual tours of three Nantucket homes.
The NHA is proud to once again partner with the New York School of Interior of Design. Ellen Fisher, NYSID Dean and VP for Academic Affairs, designed a university-level course that provides students with a show-house experience that reimagines several of the NHA’s historic properties. Student renderings will be on display during Nantucket by Design. And on Saturday, August 1, Fisher will deliver a morning presentation on the history of design on Nantucket in the twentieth century. This lecture ends with a live Q&A and will provide Continuing Education credit for both interior designers and architects.
The three-day online extravaganza concludes with a virtual Night at the Museum during which guests can celebrate via a live virtual dance party with DJ Mad Marj on Saturday August 1 from 8 to 10 pm. Marj will take us back to the late 1970s with a disco bash Zoom dance party. You can watch or join in on-screen to show off your best disco moves and flash your style!
Throughout the 2020 Nantucket by Design virtual event, the NHA is hosting a virtual silent auction of nearly 30 carefully selected items, experiences, and packages provided by generous donors. Bidding has started and continues through 12 noon on Sunday, August 2. Silent auction proceeds benefit the NHA.
Visit nha.org/join-give/benefit-events/nantucketby– design for details on tickets, the silent auction, and to meet the 2020 Design Luminaries. You can also read about how Nantucket has made its mark on American design and see photos from previous live events hosted by the Nantucket Historical Association.
