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A big heart for art
When Gomeau passed away on October 18, 2007 he entrusted an amazing collection of small works to the Artists Association of Nantucket's Permanent Collection, the subject of the upcoming exhibit opening next week entitled "Small Works from a Big Heart, a Hal Gomeau Memorial Exhibition." Gomeau loved Nantucket and Nantucketers. As an English teacher in Scarsdale, New York, he was able to visit the Island for extended summer vacations. He happily bought a home on Quaker Road and spent all of his summers here, often bringing friends and family members along to show off his beloved island. Gomeau spent as much time as he could on island after he retired, while keeping a home in New York. At both locations, the walls in every room of his home were covered with a patchwork of paintings. He quickly became embedded in the art scene and joined the fledgling Artists Association of Nantucket as a patron member and immediately began collecting Nantucket artworks. Gomeau was involved in coordinating shows and became an AAN board member and advisor to the Permanent Collection Committee. He was instrumental in creating awards recognizing patrons and artists who went beyond the call of duty. He was a true patron, supporting the artists and helping to run the organization which allowed them to focus on their art. "He always saw the positive in things. He saw collecting art as supporting the artists," recalled longtime friend and AAN gallery director Robert Frazier. Recently, the volunteer award has been renamed the Harold O. Gomeau Volunteer Award. This exhibition of small works is drawn from over 100 Nantucket artworks that will forever remain preserved on the island.
"Small Works from a Big Heart, a Hal Gomeau Memorial Exhibition" is aptly named. Gomeau's love and support of art on Nantucket was evident throughout his life, and carries on in his honor. I |
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