This Saturday, July 3
The Artists Association of Nantucket’s popular Sidewalk Art Show will be held this week at their Visual Art Center at 24 Amelia Drive. On Saturday, July 3, from 9 am to 2 pm, more than twenty AAN artist members will be available to discuss art and sell their works in the dappled summer sun. The outdoor art show is free and open to the public. Rain date is Sunday, July 4, same times.
Founded in 1930 by artist Maud Stumm, Nantucket’s Sidewalk Art Show is the oldest in the nation. Originally held for a few days in August, it was open to both professionals and amateurs. “In 1960 AAN took the reins of the event and it is now one of our signature offerings, and we are proud to be part of such a his- toric and popular island tradition,” said AAN artistic director Robert Frazier. “It predates the Artists Association by fifteen years.”
In her book, From Clotheslines to Canopies: A History of Outdoor Art Fairs in America, Kathleen Eaton states “the earliest art fairs of record in America that are still in operation began during the start of the Great Depression. The first, founded in 1930, was the Nantucket Sidewalk Art Show—a small local event based on similar street fairs found in Europe.”
“Last year we had to pivot given the Covid 19 situation, so we used the green space at our Visual Arts Center and it worked quite well, thus this season we will be holding both our shows there again,” said Frazier. “Still going strong ninety- one years later, the Sidewalk Show is a great way to meet some of the island’s local artists, who will be pleased to discuss their art and explain their work tech- niques,” added Frazier.
The Artists Association July Sidewalk Art Show this Saturday at the Visual Arts Center is free and open to the public. The next Art Show is planned for Sat- urday, August 14, also at the VAC at 24 Amelia Drive.
To learn more about the AAN, visit the new website at nantucketarts.org. For details about their carefully crafted 2021 programs and events, call 508-228-0722.