Staff report
The West Nassau Arts Alliance officially launched with the election of a new board for 2025, marking a significant milestone for West Nassau residents and artists.
“Today we have officially organized the new board of visual, performance and literary artists that work and live in the West Nassau towns,” said Richard Restiano, president of Nassau Council of Arts and Culture, the sponsor of the new organization. “With the growing mid-county and west population, we are providing the residents and businesses with broader arts and culture experiences mid-county and west.”
The organization elected Brenda Schwend as chair and six additional officers and members Tuesday night. All members are active artists who felt that having a vibrant arts and culture community based in West Nassau will help them get their work shown throughout the county and provide opportunities for island residents to experience and interact with artists from the west.
The alliance is planning the first Nassau County Arts Fair for March 28, 2026, at Florida State College at Jacksonville in Yulee, bringing together artists from throughout the county in one central location.
The alliance will work alongside the West Nassau Museum of History to expand the museum’s art activities. WNAA will participate in the Northeast Florida Fair in October and the arts show at the Depot Museum in January.
Artists in West Nassau interested in joining should contact Schwend at bschwend@me.com. Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month at the Train Depot.
Nassau Council of Arts and Culture is a nonprofit arts organization established in 2024 as the Local Arts Agency of Nassau County. For information, contact Restiano at president@NCACFL.ORG or (815) 579-1677.
