By Nicole Falco
Today, Schwartz, a Valley Stream resident, holds the dual role of director and curator of the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor.
Her place of employment is nestled on 145 acres amid fields, woods, ponds, and formal gardens. The landmark estate of Childs Frick is now home to the Nassau County Museum of Art, more than 40 outdoor sculptures, a school and the Tee Ridder Miniatures Museum, which is devoted to the "whimsy and elegance" of miniature rooms and objects.
Since becoming a private, not-for-profit institution in 1989, the number of museum visitors has increased from 20,000 to 200,000 much to the credit of Schwartz, who worked as a curator for the museum since 1989 and then became director in 1993.
"The Nassau community is a highly educated population who are not willing to settle for second best," Schwartz said. "My mission is to present the best art available that has never been available before."
Under Schwartz's direction and with the input and oversight of a private board of trustees and museum staff, the museum has taken numerous strides toward fulfilling Schwartz's mission.
The museum's formal gardens were recently restored to the original design of landscape architect Marian Cruger Coffin. To further bring the museum "up to snuff," the actual three-story mansion that houses the museum building will be undergoing exterior restoration and there are plans for an extension.
"The board and I share this feeling that every aspect of this property will be properly restored. An extension to the museum will allow for additional growth for varying new programs, expansion of education programs....and display of art," Schwartz said.
Schwartz credits her father with instilling in her a love of art. Schwartz would not pursue her "love" until moving to the community of Mill Brook in Valley Stream over 30 years ago. At the time, a neighbor wanted to pursue art and hired an instructor to teach in her home. The neighbor asked Schwartz and others if they would like to sit in on the course and split the cost. "I loved it," she said.
From there, Schwartz, who describes herself as a painter of lyrical landscapes, went on to study at the Art Students' League and became a member of various women's art groups and collaborated to open the first women's art gallery on Long Island. Examples of Schwartz's art work are on exhibit in various New England museums including the Aldrigde and Portland Art Museums.
Schwartz eventually branched out into art education and has taught art and humanities at Adelphi University and was a founding member of New York University's Continuing Education program. She is also a former co-host of a 1970's television show, "Around the Corner," which devoted a half hour to art, a half hour to music and a half hour to an alternating topic.
Schwartz has carried over her previous experience in art education into her current position as director. The former art consultant to the county has helped the museum form partnerships with numerous schools throughout Long Island in order to serve over 30,000 children at their schools and on museum grounds. The museum also offers classes in anything from painting to sculpture to drawing for anyone interested. The museum is accredited by the New York State Board of Regents as a museum and educational institute.
"Everything we do stems from what we hang on a wall or put on a pedestal," Schwartz said. "Art filters through every aspect of life. [The museum's] job is to make the art teacher a needed resource in the school so that she is called upon to work with an integrated curriculum."
Throughout her tenure as curator and director Schwartz has overseen countless exhibits of mostly 19th and 20th century art from her very first exhibit of abstract expression to an upcoming exhibit in May entitled, "Long Island Collects," which is devoted to what's in the art collections of Long Island residents.
Last month, Schwartz was recognized for "Excellence in Arts" by WLIW21 New York Public Television's sixth annual Awards in Excellence Gala celebrating "Women Who Make a Difference."
Schwartz has made a difference according to Museum Board of Trustee member Richard H. Leeds. "She is doing a fantastic job. Without her I don't think there would be a Nassau County Museum."
Schwartz also noted that the accounting degree her mother wanted her to have has come in handy when dealing with the business end of running a museum and her early desire to write has led her to contribute to artists' magazines including Sun Storm Magazine and write numerous critiques and essays for various catalogs and galleries.
