After a long, cold winter, summer is finally approaching in full force. This means outdoors activities for everyone on Long Island to enjoy. Perhaps taking the day to walk around a well designed garden equipped with trails and benches is how you’d like to spend your day- or maybe you would rather go to a cafe for a refreshing iced coffee, and experience a bit of art at a museum. Why settle for just one of these options when you can have it all . You can plan a trip to one place and experience all of it, and it's not New York City, it's right here in Nassau.
The Nassau County Museum offers everything from a picturesque garden stroll, to admiring extensive contemporary art to their delicious in-house cafe, which offers a mouthwatering lunch menu. Its mission is to create a space for Long Islanders and visitors alike to have a day of enriching experiences, and giving everyone the opportunity to learn about art. Their dedication to the lives of Long Islanders is what makes this museum a gem that all locals should take advantage of. It is ranked as one of the largest suburban museums in the United States, and it offers exciting activities for both adults and children.
The permanent collection at the NCM includes over 500 American and European pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries. The sculpture park consists of 145 acres of the former Frick Estate, creating one of the largest publically accessible sculpture gardens on the East Coast. The summer art lab allows all children to come and partake in arts and crafts, story time and some hands on lessons in sketching and journaling. This summer take your child to on an artistic adventure where they can strengthen their skills and engage with artwork. No child will leave empty handed, and each is sure to gain a greater appreciation for art but also build confidence in their abilities to be creative and expressive.
NCM’s current exhibitions are AB-EX / RE-CON: Abstract Expressionism Reconsidered and Asad Faulwell / Chris Johanson. Abstract representations in art is a school that rejected mass cultural values and concerns and doesn’t abide by any concrete style. This school of art came about in the post modernist period after WWII. The contemporary art of Asad Faulwell/Chris Johanson shows his focus on Algerian women, more specifically, freedom fighters who were involved in the 1954-1963 struggle to end French occupation over the region. Each exhibit adds a special dimension to the museum’s fantastic mission to serve the Long Island region with exceptional art and a wonderful experience.
There is so much more to be seen here at The Nassau County Museum, and no amount of description can do it justice. So this summer, make a trip there and see for yourself. The NCM has become one of Long Island's most beautiful landscapes and most engaging museum, offering exciting activities to all.