Island lovers everywhere can enjoy viewing Nantucket original art and bid to own their favorites when The Artists Association of Nantucket (AAN) hosts Just Add Water” Spring Sweep Online Auction from March 31 through April 5.
An online preview will be available on Wednesday, March 31 and on Thursday, April 1. Bidding will begin on Friday, April 2 at 6 am. The online auction continues through Monday, April 5, with final bids accepted until 4 pm.
“The Sweep committee has been hard at work on this year’s virtual event, and we are delighted to announce that AAN artist member Zoë Markham is our Honorary Artist, who has donated a selection of her work to be used as the signature piece for the auction,” said AAN executive director Courtney Bridges. “Creating a nautical spring fantasy, these magical pieces feature a medley of her signature shells, including a mermaid, ships, and sea creatures.”
For the second year, AAN is using 32auctions as the bidding platform, and the art selection includes works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, ceramics, and photography. More information is available on the AAN’s website
“To kick off this annual event, on Friday, April 2 at 7 pm, we will be hosting a virtual party on Instagram, where our ever-popular Peeper Punch recipe originally made for us by Cisco/Triple Eight Distillery, will be featured so you can make it at home yourselves,” added Bridges. “In this way, we are still able to offer one of the beloved customs of our past Spring Sweep preview parties.”
“As guests participate in the online auction, they will notice there is also a buy-it-now component—where pieces may be purchased outright—if for instance they found a favorite artist’s work, or didn’t have time to go back online,” said AAN artistic director Robert Frazier. “We are excited to offer our AAN supporters and community members a way to begin or add to their art collection, and after a long winter AAN and our local artist members would be grateful for your support,” added Frazier.
Spring Sweep Chairs, Patty Keneally and Barbara Clarke, have been working closely with the committee, and are pleased to offer this online auction as a bright spot during this early spring weekend. Another exciting feature for this year will be the addition of a floral display in the window and on the door surround of the gallery by Hafsa & Co.; the inside display will be interspersed on a wall of Markham’s work.
“While the gallery will not feature any actual Sweep art, we are excited to showcase a Window Wall that will exhibit Zoë Markham’s beautiful shells. We also remain grateful to each of our artists for their participation in this Online Spring Sweep format, and of course to all those who continue to work so diligently to keep our island and residents safe,” added Bridges.
The AAN’s Cecelia Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery in the heart of Nantucket’s cultural district at 19 Washington St., will cautiously reopen to the public at the end of April. Visit the AAN website for updates and to register for 2021 classes.
