Barn to Become Artist Studio at Art Guild

(Manhasset, N.Y.) – The Nassau County Legislature voted unanimously to secure a $10,000 grant to The Art Guild of Port Washington (TAG) that will be used to offset costs of offering discounted and free classes, lectures and demonstrations for Nassau County residents. This discounted and free programming will be given in a barn at Elderfields Preserve, the home of The Art Guild. The barn, which dates back to the 1800s, is being renovated through TAG fundraising efforts.

The barn was originally a hayloft when Elderfields was a working 200-acre farm. Today, plans call for utilizing the space to increase the number of art classes, lectures and demonstrations beyond what they could offer in the classrooms in the main house. This additional space coupled with the County grant will enable TAG to offer classes for adults and children more affordably, along with free lectures and demonstrations that will be offered exclusively to Nassau County residents. “It is wonderful that The Art Guild raised the funds needed to renovate the barn to the point where they can now use it to offer additional programming,” Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton said. “I am proud to have been able to secure funding that enables them to start up this initiative in this new studio space by offering free and more affordable programming to County residents. Like the Grist Mill and Mackay Horse statue in Roslyn, I am always glad to support projects that preserve our communities’ rich historic past.” The new barn studio will eventually offer printmaking classes using a printing press that was donated years ago.

“We are so excited about restoring this historic barn and are grateful to Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton for her continued support by providing a grant for programming in the new barn studio,” Art Guild Executive Director Lisa Grossman said. “We love the idea of using Elderfields Preserve in the way it was intended – a place for the arts. Thankfully, the community has embraced The Art Guild during the pandemic and we are happy to report that our reach just keeps extending throughout Nassau County. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to keep up with demand and offer more classes and workshops with the additional space the barn studio will provide.”

Renovation work will begin as soon as the architectural plans are approved. The main house at Elderfields, which was built around 1675, is owned by Nassau County and currently serves as an art gallery for exhibits, offices, and bright, open spaces for art classes for children and adults. To learn more about the classes, programs, and exhibits offered at The Art Guild, visit theartguild.org.