Artists Association Selling Washington Street Gallery To Buy Federal Street Property

The Artists Association of Nantucket (AAN) announced this week that it will purchase 8 Federal Street (the former home of Lucille Jordan Real Estate) to open a new gallery space beginning in the summer of 2026. The non-profit will sell its existing Cecelia Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery at 19 Washington Street to finance the purchase of Federal Street property.

“This property offers an opportunity to expand and remodel, so it is our plan to create a gallery with increased square footage, a more sophisticated and modern space to display art offering easy pick-up and drop-off for our artists,” said Robert Frazier, AAN's artistic director.

While the properties have not yet closed and the terms of the two sales were not disclosed, the William Raveis Real Estate had listed 8 Federal Street for $3.5 million.

Since 2022, AAN has rented the second floor of the Thomas Macy Warehouse as its "Big Gallery" as a secondary exhibition space to the Cecelia Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery.

“While both galleries have been successful, it has been our goal for some time to have one, highly visible, flagship gallery in downtown Nantucket,” said Tracey Sears, AAN executive director.

The new gallery at 8 Federal Street will be open at a limited capacity in 2025. Artist members will showcase their work at the Big Gallery throughout the year with rotating shows.

“A lot of flexibility will be needed but the board of directors is completely committed to making this transition as smooth as possible," said AAN board president Laurie Champion. "As the Artists Association celebrates its 80th anniversary we are thrilled to build a landmark in the town of Nantucket, our legacy to serve the community for generations to come.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that The Maury People Sotheby's International had listed the Federal Street property. In fact, the listing was with William Raveis Real Estate.