In this episode of The Art Colony, host Gaston sits down with Christine McCarthy, CEO of the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM), for a lively and deeply personal conversation about the institution’s storied past, vibrant present, and ambitious future. From its founding in 1914 to its role as “the anchor of the Provincetown arts community,” Christine shares how the museum has preserved the town’s rich artistic heritage while nurturing contemporary voices. She recounts her own journey from Italian Renaissance studies in Siena and Florence to leading PAAM for over two decades—through building renovations, historic art feuds, and the ever-changing cultural tides of America’s oldest continuous art colony. Whether you’re an art historian, a Provincetown local, or simply curious about how a small-town museum can make a world-class impact, this episode offers an inspiring look at the power of art to connect, heal, and endure.
