Exiled on Main Street

Artists Association of Nantucket (AAN) is pleased to announce the opening of Exiled on Main Street: The Main Street Gallery and the Fabulous Artists of the 1970s, 80s, and early 90s on Thursday, July 14 at the Coffin School, 4 Winter Street.  The exhibition will be open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm through August 20. 

Main Street Gallery by Jocelyn Vermilye

“No gallery on island represents the spirit of fine art during the 1970s and 80s better than The Main Street Gallery, said AAN curator of exhibitions Robert Frazier.

The Main Street Gallery opened in May of 1970.  “The driving idea behind The Main Street Gallery was simply to be a showcase for Nantucket artists,” said Reggie Levine, the gallery’s owner.  At the time, the Lobster Pot Gallery was in its last few years; the only other fine art institution was Artists Association of Nantucket. 

Exiled on Main Street is an exhibition designed to tell a powerful story — the story of a time when new artists with modern art sensibilities streamed to the island, and of a time when a single gallery acted as a flagship.  “The artists of the 1970s,” said Frazier, “shook the foundations of local art tradition. Reggie Levine was there to greet them with open arms.”

While the gallery represented almost all the name artists of the era like Philip Hicken and David Bareford, it also exhibited artists particular to its vision including David Cross, Elaine Gifford, Richard de Menocal, John Fandel, and Piero Fenci. 

“From the very beginning at 19 Main Street,” says Levine, “to the gallery’s last years at 2 South Water Street, I wanted The Main Street Gallery to be an integral part of the life of this community, supportive and responsive to its cultural needs and aspirations.” 

“It has been such a pleasure to collaborate with Reggie,” says Frazier. “He was and still is a Renaissance man for local arts.”

Reggie Levine and Lynette Hyde Mautner serve as exhibition advisors. The art on display is from the AAN’s historic Permanent Collection, with additional works on loan from Reggie Levine.

Sponsorship for the exhibition is provided by the Boston Foundation, the Nantucket Arts Council, Laurie and Bob Champion, and Congdon & Coleman Insurance.  An AAN member’s preview party hosted by the Friends of the AAN will be held on July 11. To learn about AAN membership, call 508-228-0722.