The Nassau County Museum of Art announced plans for their new wing designed by Peter Marino and Assoc. Architects to be completed by 2007. At the press conference Tuesday, April 20 there was good news, starting with the generosity of sponsoring North Shore families. Originally, the new wing was planned to be built in two phases to allow time to raise the needed $15 million for construction but will be done at one time as a result of the response of board members who in one year raised $6.3 million. The wing will be named for major sponsors Nancy and Fred DeMatteis. The historic Frick mansion will be restored and named for founding board president Ambassador Arnold A. Saltzman. Additionally, in two weeks the museum's outdoor sculpture garden will be enriched by three major outdoor sculptures by Alexander Calder. The sculptures are the first in a series of 12 Calders to be at the museum for a minimum of two years, arranged through the Calder Foundation to add to the museum's collection of about 45 outdoor sculptures located on its 145 acres.

Donald Rechler, board member and co-chair of the board's building committee for the expansion project thanked the development committee members including Frank Castagna, Peter Tilles, Clarence Michalis, Robert Frommer, Arthur Levine and Donald Rechler.

The success of the campaign was helped by naming opportunities, 46 in all, of which half are still available. The historic Frick mansion will be named for the Saltzman family and the new wing will be named for Nancy and the late Frederick DeMatteis, represented that morning by their daughter Tracy and Jonathan Serko.

Museum Director Constance Schwartz said in June the museum will be celebrating its 15th anniversary. She recalled that Arnold Saltzman, the museum's first board president put together a board of trustees of civic minded and philanthropic people. In 1989 there were 20,000 annual visitors, now there are 200,000 visitors as well as 25,000 school children who annually visit the museum. There are 300 volunteers who come from all over Nassau County.

Ms. Schwartz has been busy as director raising funds for the museum operation as well as the restoration. She said two years ago they had raised $800,000 and restored the formal gardens designed by Maria Cruger Coffin. She also said the museum raises the $2.5 to $2.6 million for their annual operating budget adding, "We raise every dime." It comes from several sources: through the board, which she called generous; ticket sales, sponsors and memberships.

Of the need for restoring the facility, Ms. Schwartz said "You can't have a shabby building to house million dollar art." She said in one month the museum's historic building will be undergoing an exterior restoration designed by restoration architect John G. Waite Associates for another $1.8 million. It will begin in one month. "It has nothing to do with our operating capital," she said.

"We are sharing a dream. The Tilles Center, our music neighbor has undergone an expansion. Nassau County is not just a backyard neighbor to New York City, we want to be a cultural destination for people all over the country and people will come to see Peter Marino's building." [During the fall Mr. Marino's long range plan for the Americana Manhasset was completed bringing high end stores to the area.] Ms. Schwartz said the two new projects will increase tourism and will benefit local corporations - since they need cultural centers to attract people to live and work here - which all helps to boost the county economy.

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, thanked the families represented by the board members. He said part of building the future of Nassau County is enriching its cultural life, which will uplift the economy. "It doesn't happen if people like you don't step up and help and as in this case, pick a gem and make it even better," he said. "Nassau and Suffolk County together is the 6th largest city in the US We are deserving of a world class museum. These people are making that happen."

Mr. Rechler said architect Peter Marino won the assignment to design the building when he presented his vision, which included a long-range comprehensive plan. Peter Marino presented a slide show to explain his view of the new museum. He said his design challenge was to add an 18,000 sq. ft. building to the museum without conflict. "I was working in England on Ascot House and its historic garden. It has miles of garden walls with green houses peeking over the edge. I thought 'wouldn't that be great.' Cherry trees grow inside their hot houses, we will grow art here," he said.

Mr. Marino chose the same brick and limestone as used in the Frick mansion. "Using the same materials makes them sisters, that can have a good conversation," he said. "Those greenhouse roofs peeking over the wall will have windows along the top ridge to let just the right amount of light into the galleries."

Frank Castagna, of Castagna Realty Co., Inc. was thanked for his help as past board president and for his staff's help in arranging the press conference. Mr. Castagna said, "Nassau County is no longer being seen as a suburbia of no importance. Nassau County is one of the most important centers of culture. The Tilles Center will be refurbished by November. Nassau County will then be well-respected in the performing and the visual arts. Nassau County, with this degree of development can't be without a great cultural institution. This is a great good for Nassau County."

Michael Hollander, executive director of the Long Island Convention and Visitor's Bureau and co-chair of the Long Island North Shore Heritage Area Planning Committee was pleased to comment on the expansion saying, "Cultural tourism is one of the main generators of tax dollars in Nassau County. Nassau County relies on shopping and culture to generate dollars so whatever can be done to enhance our cultural attractions encourages tourism and therefore benefits our economy."

Founding President of the museum board and Trustee Emeritus, U.S. Ambassador Saltzman said, "We needed the museum to replace a failing county institution. I was founding president and put the board together with Clarence Michalis' assistance." He said the present museum exhibition area is called by Albany "One of the ten best museums in the state."

Laura Savini, WLIW marketing and communications director who introduced the speakers said, "We all know how important the arts are. There is nothing like seeing a piece of artwork face to face."

Lattingtown Mayor Clarence Michalis, said, "Seeing the plans for the new museum was very exciting, having been in on the birthing along with Tom Gulotta and Arnold Saltzman 15 years ago when the museum was privatized. Arnold and I thought it would be wonderful if we would be around for this moment." He was talking to Pemy Frick, who said her husband Clay has such fond memories of the estate. She said his favorite memories were probably of the outside of the house, because of the Saturday Club. "It was organized by his mother. He was the only son and the last child in the family and she got other young boys to come over on the weekends to do things together," she said.

Ms. Schwartz, museum director and chief said, "Until now, we've had limited space to show our works, so we expect the new wing to help attract important art exhibitions from major museums throughout the world and encourage contributions to the permanent collection." The new galleries will feature art shows organized by the museum curators as well as important exhibits from other museums. The historic Bryce-Frick mansion will exhibit the rotating permanent collection of 19th and 20th century art, including a major modern and contemporary Latin American collection received by the museum in 2003. The museum will be able to remain open during show changes, which until now has been done in a hectic two-week coordinating project by the staff.

Ms. Schwartz and Franklin Perrell have the distinct pleasure of considering what the opening exhibit will be for the new DeMatteis wing. "It will be spectacular," promised Ms. Schwartz.