It's quite an amazing place, and it's in your backyard (if you live on Long Island).

We've been visiting the Nassau County Museum of Art for years, mainly to stroll through the woods, and around the ponds. But over the last few years, someone has taken the little duckling and turned it into a magnificent swan.

Woods and Sculptures
The setting itself is lovely. There are trails and paved roads looping through the 145-acre former Frick estate. Clustered around the main road are currently over 40 pieces of sculpture ranging from the wonderful whimsy of Botero to the striking pieces of Chaim Gross to the stark works by Masayuki Magare. Works by Leger, de Kooning, Bertoldi, Lichtenstein, Calder and others nestle among the trees, and fields.

Art in a Mansion
The lovely Georgian mansion, bought by Nassau County, has been converted into the Museum of Art. Over the years the museum has begun mounting innovative as well as mainstream shows. One exhibit focused on the New York of the Ashcan Artists who, in the early to mid years of the 1900s, painted the less-than-lovely world they saw around them. Others have looked at the artists who fled Hitler's Germany to pursue artistic freedom (and sometimes to save their lives). Exhibits of the work of Calder, Rodin, Degas and others have graced the walls of the restored building. A century of prints recently explored the art and impact of printmaking through established classics and recent innovations. Friendly and knowledgeable docents provide tours.

Contemporary Art Gallery
Of course, art has changed in the past decade. The contemporary art movement challenges assumptions often underlying earlier works and the viewers who experience them. They pick up the world and put it together in different and highly personalized ways. Whimsical, thought-provoking, sometimes even shocking. The Museum clearly wanted to bring this new development into its family. So, tucked into one of the gallery rooms is their Contemporary Art Gallery with the photographs, sculptures, and creations that challenge our view of art and of the world around us. Some of the best and cutting edge work is displayed.

Miniatures and More
Walk (or drive) a bit down the road and visit the Tee Ridder Miniatures Museum with its 26 miniature rooms. There are tiny music rooms and elegant drawing rooms even an 18th century kitchen.

The most recent addition to the Museum is the Formal Garden restored to the plans and specifications of the original garden designed by Marian Cruger Coffin in 1925.

There are special programs for children, art courses and lectures, art expeditions into New York City, and special events on the ground of the Museum.

Many of the cultural institutions of Nassau County are shadowed by their proximity to those of New York City. Nassau County Museum of Art is one shining exception. The land and buildings of the Gold Coasters and the vision of the Museum staff have created a complete and satisfying art experience. And one impossible to find anywhere else in New York.

Nassau County Museum of Art
One Museum Drive
Roslyn Harbor, New York 11576
516-484-9337
www.nassaumuseum.org

© 2003

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