Thursday Jan 01, 2026
Scrimshaw - Nantucket's Whaling Art with Artist Lee Ann Papale
Our first episode of Season 2, "Scrimshaw" examines the folk art of carving whale teeth and bone. A unique and remarkable art form, Scrimshaw is deeply associated with the historic whaling industry, and therefore, associated with Nantucket. Born from the boredom of whalers, and created for personal or familial use, scrimshaw has since become highly desirable to collectors and enthusiasts alike. We are joined by our guest Lee Ann Papale, a Nantucket native scrimshaw artist who creates contemporary pieces from her studio on the island. Welcome to Season 2!
20 days ago
I truly enjoyed Leanne Paypal‘s description of being a Scripture artist. As a kid in the 60s, you could go to the gift shop on Street wharf and buy whales teeth that were in a bucket near the dwarf for a dollar each. I saved some of those teeth, and later, when I was married, and we had two daughters, we bought two light shipped baskets. We use those whales teeth for the quarter boards for each of these baskets, tying my time as a child on the island to the children that have enjoyed coming there their whole lives. Leanne is true Nantucket. I loved the story of her learning to drive slowly in the Moores while her mother and hint picked up rocks so that they could cobblestone their own driveway!