The Artists Association of Nantucket (AAN) has officially named its new downtown gallery the "Cecelia Joyce Seward Johnson Gallery" in honor of a significant donation from multiple foundations. The naming recognizes a lead gift from the Cecelia Joyce and Seward Johnson Foundation, the Atlantic Foundation, and the India Blake Johnson Foundation, which will fund the purchase and renovation of the new gallery space.

The new gallery is located at 8 Federal Street, which AAN purchased for $3.5 million in March of this year. The property previously housed Lucille Jordan Real Estate before being transformed into an art exhibition space. Since April, the gallery has been hosting rotating exhibitions for the organization's members and the public.

"This is a milestone moment for the Artists Association," said Laurie Champion, AAN Board President. "The Johnson family's belief in the power of art has turned vision into reality. Their support ensures that our mission will thrive for generations to come." The donation represents a crucial step in AAN's campaign to create a permanent home for Nantucket's artistic community.

Robert Frazier, AAN's Artistic Director, emphasized the expansion opportunities the new space provides. "This property offers an opportunity to expand and remodel, so we plan to create a gallery with increased square footage, and a more sophisticated and modern space for our artists," he explained. "The Johnson family's lead gift will successfully launch our campaign to create the best gallery possible for our Artist Members and the Nantucket community."

The naming honors the legacy of Cecelia Joyce and Seward Johnson, whose long-standing commitment to the arts has significantly enriched Nantucket's cultural landscape. Their philanthropic support through their foundations continues a tradition of arts patronage that has helped sustain the island's vibrant creative community.

Tracey Sears, AAN Executive Director, connected the gallery naming to the organization's broader history and future goals. "As we celebrate 80 years of AAN, this exciting new chapter reflects our continued commitment to the island and its artists," she said. "We invite everyone to be part of this moment: to help build a permanent, inspiring home for Nantucket's vibrant visual arts community."

The newly named gallery will serve as a cornerstone facility for AAN's more than 300 Artist Members and provide enhanced exhibition opportunities for years to come. The organization plans to use the space to better showcase local artwork while creating a more professional and modern environment for both artists and visitors to experience Nantucket's thriving visual arts scene.