A MESSAGE FROM THE GOSNELL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR In this special issue of Historic Nantucket we explore two exhibitions currently on view in the new Fine Arts Wing at the Whaling Museum. The Nantucket Historical Association is excited to present Modern American Realism: Highlights from the Sara Roby Foundation Collection, on loan from the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM), and Two Hundred Years of American Art on Nantucket, an exhibit comprised of important pieces from the NHA’s collections as well as many loaned from the collections of our supporters. The new Fine Arts Wing is part of the ongoing work of the NHA to activate more of its space for public enjoyment and provide more exhibition space for the collections under our stewardship. The Board of Trustees decided to repurpose the first floor space in the Peter Foulger Building, which was originally erected as museum space in the 1970s, to provide substantial exhibition space to allow the NHA to illuminate the impact of art on the Island community and tell related stories. This new gallery, which is named the Williams Forsyth Gallery, pairs with the McCausland Gallery on the museum’s second floor to create a wing for rotating exhibits drawn from the NHA’s own collections as well those loaned to the NHA. Major upgrades to the space were required in order to prepare the museum to house collections of high caliber. On display in the McCausland Gallery, Modern American Realism: Highlights from the Sara Roby Foundation Collection, was curated by Virginia Mecklenberg, Chief Curator at SAAM, and arranged by Edwin Rudd, Director of Facilities at the NHA. Major underwriting came from Bonnie and Peter McCausland and the Sara Roby Foundation. The outstanding collection was judiciously built over time by the late Nantucket resident and artist Sara Roby. Interestingly,
Ribbon cutting of the new Williams Forsyth Gallery in the Whaling Museum on June 14, 2019 at the Fine Arts Wing Dinner. Left to right: Kelly Williams, NHA Board President and her husband Andrew Forsyth. Janet Sherlund, Trustee Emerita, William J. Boardman, NHA Board Treasurer, Victoria McManus, NHA Board Vice President, and Jay Wilson, President of the Friends of the NHA.
a selection of her collection was first exhibited by the NHA at the Fair Street Museum in 1984. Reggie Levine, President of the Nantucket Arts Council for many years, remembered Sara Roby for her keen eye and passion for the arts. Reggie was honored to have part of her collection on view in his Main Street Gallery before she donated it to the Smithsonian. On reviewing the list of artists, Reggie confirmed that he knew many of them personally. Paul Cadmus, in particular, spent much time on the island and had many longtime connections with its residents. Two Hundred Years of American Art on Nantucket was curated by Anne Knutson, Ph.D., and is on view in the new Williams Forsyth Gallery. This exhibit provides an overview of the rich history of artists who chose Nantucket as their subject. To assist her in identifying important artwork to include, Anne established an advisory committee comprised of Robert Frazier, Artistic Director of the Artists Association of Nantucket, Benjamin Simons, Director of the Academy Art Museum and former Robyn & John Davis Chief Curator at the NHA, John Sylvia of Sylvia Antiques, and Steve Langer, Continued on page 2
