People’s Choice & a Pop-Up Exhibit

A festive autumn reception from 6 to 8 pm on Friday September 29 opens the popular Artists Association of Nantucket’s (AAN) People’s Choice Exhibition in the Cecelia Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery, 19 Washington Street. “Having just celebrated the 20th season in our 19 Washington Street gallery location, we are inviting community members and visitors to come in and vote for their favorite art pieces during the opening weekend.”

People’s Choice voting ends on October 5. The staff tallies the votes, and each the winning work of art will be recognized with a gold medallion for the duration of the exhibition,” said AAN gallery manager Peter J. Greenhalgh. “The People’s Choice exhibition remains a favorite among our loyal patrons and friends, and continually showcases a wide array of styles and this year should be no exception,” said Artists Association of Nantucket executive director Cecil Barron Jensen. “This interactive show adds a new level of interest for our visitors and I think they really like being a part of the process by voting for their favorite work,” added Jensen.

The Solo Show Spotlight Artist during this exhibition is David Sharpe, who will discuss his work during a free and informal talk as part of Artists Association of Nantucket’s Spotlight Series on Saturday, September 30 at 10 am in the gallery, 19 Washington Street.

The People’s Choice Exhibition will be on display through October 16 Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm and 2:30 to 5 pm at 19 Washington St. in the heart of Nantucket’s Cultural District.

Starting on Saturday, October 4, Artists Association of Nantucket will offer the opportunity to visit one of the oldest intact fish houses on Old North Wharf, and visitors will have the chance to purchase historic art from AAN’s unique collection. This special Pop-Up preview will be held at the Mitchell-Andrews Fish House at 4 Old North Wharf, Wednesday through Saturday, October 4 – 7 from 10 am to 2 pm, with a reception on Friday, October 6, from 6 to 8 pm.

Built after Nantucket’s Great Fire of 1846, when the original structure burned to the ground, the Mitchell-Andrews fish house began life as a carpentry shop belonging to the Mitchell family. It remained in their family until 1895 when Holmes McCleve purchased it. James S. Andrews subsequently bought it to run his fishing business, which included clams and oysters. It has stayed in their family ever since, and James Clinton Andrews taught sailing to generations of summer kids. “Clint” and his wife Edith were long-time AAN members and friends with many local artists.

“This is a truly exciting collaboration where we are able to showcase some historic art in an even more historic island fish house, merging the two and giving a glimpse into old Nantucket on both levels,” said AAN executive director Cecil Barron Jensen. “It is especially meaningful because the Andrews family has had such a long tenure with the AAN…we are grateful to Ginger Andrews, who offered her fish house without hesitation,” added Jensen. This unique opportunity to own works hand-picked from the AAN collection, the Pop-Up sale will feature art by both well-known local and visiting artists, including limited edition woodcuts, oils, and watercolors from unrestricted donations by art patrons and collectors.

“This is a rare opportunity to purchase a piece of your very own art from this special collection, which features works by Fritz Eichenberg, Schuyler Brant, Naima Rauam, John Austin, and others,” said AAN curator of exhibitions Robert Frazier.