Bringing Nantucket Art Home

Nantucket has drawn artists for generations, its light, its landscape, and its maritime history have made it a genuine creative haven, not just a picturesque backdrop. Bringing a piece of that art home is one of the most personal ways to carry the island with you, whether that means a hand-carved lightship basket, a driftwood sculpture, or a piece from one of the island's contemporary galleries. Bernadette Meyer shares where to find authentic Nantucket art and how it fits into a home, both on the island and beyond.

Where to Find Authentic Nantucket Art

• The Artist Association of Nantucket and the Sustainable Nantucket Market are two accessible starting points for meeting island artists directly.
• Nantucket's contemporary galleries range from local craft traditions like lightship baskets to internationally recognized contemporary artists.
• Supporting local artists preserves a genuine creative tradition and often means owning a piece with a real story behind it.
• A home's art collection is part of what makes it feel distinctly Nantucket, a detail buyers and owners alike often come to appreciate over time.

Local artists and makers

The Artist Association of Nantucket is one of the best starting points for discovering island artists, hosting exhibitions and events throughout the year across a range of media, from painting to sculpture and photography. During the summer, the Sustainable Nantucket Market runs a Saturday farmers' market that also features work by local artists alongside produce and artisanal goods, a genuine chance to meet a maker and buy a piece directly.

Among the island's well-known artists, Sunny Wood is known for his carved wooden whales, found in homes and businesses across the island, while John Evans creates sculptures from driftwood and other found materials. For those seeking a higher-end piece, the annual Rafael Osona auction features paintings, sculptures, and furniture from many of the island's most talented artists.

No discussion of Nantucket art is complete without lightship baskets, handwoven from rattan using techniques passed down through generations of island artisans. A genuine lightship basket is one of the most recognizable and enduring symbols of the island, and a distinctive addition to any home.

Nantucket's art galleries

Several galleries make Nantucket a genuine destination for collectors. Quidley Gallery on Main Street specializes in American and European fine art from established and emerging artists. Samuel Owen Gallery on Centre Street focuses on contemporary art, representing artists including Damien Hirst, Shepard Fairey, and David Yarrow; the gallery's Nantucket building reportedly once housed Captain George Pollard, the whaling captain whose ill-fated voyage on the Essex inspired Moby-Dick, a fitting connection given the island's whaling history. Cavalier Gallery, a family-owned gallery on Main Street for more than 30 years, represents a wide range of American and European artists, from established masters to emerging talent.

For photography, several Nantucket-based photographers sell fine art prints directly: Lauren Marttila, who offers custom framing for her work; Kit Noble, whose collection spans a range of island subjects; and Nathan Coe, who shoots fine art and fashion photography both on Nantucket and worldwide.

Bringing art into a home

Once a piece is found, thoughtful placement makes all the difference. On walls, art generally reads best at eye level and proportional to the size of the room, and a well-placed piece can anchor a room and give guests something genuine to talk about. Smaller pieces, sculpture or pottery in particular, often read better on a shelf or table than lost on a large wall, where they can be viewed more intimately.

Outdoor living spaces, pool areas, porches, and garden walkways benefit from art too. Weatherproof sculpture in metal or ceramic, decorative furniture with artistic detail like mosaic tabletops, and thoughtfully designed outdoor lighting can all extend a home's character into its landscape.

Why a home's art matters beyond decor

For owners and buyers alike, the art in a Nantucket home is part of what makes it feel authentically of the island rather than simply furnished for it. A collection built from island artists and galleries carries real character and often real story, features that resonate with buyers looking for a home with genuine personality, not just square footage. For sellers preparing a home for market, thoughtful art and staging are part of a broader presentation strategy; see Bernadette's best practices for selling on Nantucket for more.