The Frick Estate Lectures, a nonprofit program dedicated to lifelong learning in the liberal arts, is returning this fall to the Nassau County Museum of Art with more than 30 courses in literature, history, philosophy, art and film.
Now entering its sixth year, the lecture series was founded by longtime educator and Frick Estate Lectures Executive Director Kay Sato, who previously directed the Hutton House Lectures at LIU Post for 25 years. When that program ended, members of her advisory board rallied to keep the spirit of adult enrichment alive, helping establish the Frick Estate Lectures in 2019.
“The people who were on my board at the time said, ‘We’re not going to let you go. You’re going to do another program, and we’ll help organize everything,’” Sato said. “Sure enough, we did. We were able to set up this program at the museum, and it’s been our home ever since.”
The lecture series draws its name from the historic Frick family estate, which now houses the Nassau County Museum of Art. The grounds, once owned by industrialist Henry Clay Frick’s son and daughter-in-law Childs and Frances Frick, provide what Sato calls “an isolated paradise” for learning, complete with art exhibits, sculpture gardens and walking trails.
While rooted in history and culture, the program’s mission is forward-looking: keeping minds active and engaged at any age. Most participants are between 50 and 80 years old, but Sato said there is no age limit, one board member and student is 92.
“People come here because they feel like they have a place where they can be vibrant and alert, where they can learn new things and strengthen their abilities,” she said. “If we don’t use it, we lose it.”
This fall’s lineup reflects that mission with an ambitious slate of offerings:
September 3: English professor John Lutz begins a five-week course on William Faulkner’s “Light in August,” widely considered one of the author’s masterpieces. The class will explore the novel’s themes of identity, race and belonging in the American South.
September 16: Historian Molly Tambor, an associate professor and former Rome Prize winner, presents “Fascism vs. fascism: Mussolini’s Regime and Its Legacies.” The lecture examines Benito Mussolini’s rise to power in 1922 and the enduring influence of fascist ideology in modern politics.
September 25: Actor, painter, and filmmaker Peter Josyph screens David Lynch’s “The Straight Story” as part of his film series “Outsiders on Film.” The discussion will focus on the film’s quiet portrayal of resilience and family.
Later in the semester, literature lovers will take a deep dive into Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick,” while art historians will guide students through key movements in European painting. Music and philosophy lectures round out the catalogue, offering what Sato calls “a boutique program of liberal arts.”
“We only bring in the best professors and the best classes we can find,” she said. “It’s not a low-level program. People tell me it feels like going back to college — except this time, you get to enjoy it without worrying about grades.”
The program has grown steadily since its launch, evolving from a modest schedule of 20 courses to a year-round slate that resembles a small liberal arts college. Classes are often taught in multi-week sessions, allowing for in-depth exploration.
The pandemic forced the lectures online, but even then, loyal participants stuck with it, sometimes learning Zoom with Sato’s personal guidance. One board member in his 90s called her regularly for help navigating the software.
“He would say, ‘What do I do now?’ and I would walk him through step by step,” Sato said. “For people who were alone at home, it meant so much to stay connected.”
Today, the program is almost fully back in person, with a few online courses still available for those who prefer them. Attendees travel from across Long Island and even beyond, with some driving from Maryland or New York City to take part.
Professors, too, value the experience. Many, Sato said, find the mature audiences more engaged than undergraduates.
“One professor told me, ‘I love teaching here because the students are so responsive. It makes me feel like it’s all worthwhile,’” she said.
Sato, who holds a doctorate in English and taught at the University of Georgia before moving to New York, said her personal favorites are the literature courses, which often spark lively debates.
“We do history, music, art, philosophy — the whole spectrum,” she said. “What excites me most is seeing people energized, excited about the material, and enjoying the camaraderie. They leave feeling like they’re not over the hill, that they still have so much to give.”
As a nonprofit, the Frick Estate Lectures relies on tuition, sponsorships and year-end appeals to support its faculty and keep courses affordable. Sato said the priority is always paying professors fairly while ensuring students can access the program.
Looking ahead, she said she hopes to expand online registration options and perhaps introduce membership packages. A new staff member with expertise in digital platforms may help make that possible.
For now, though, Sato is focused on welcoming students back to the museum this fall.
“I still love teaching, but this is also a service to the community,” she said. “It’s about preserving the liberal arts at a time when universities are cutting back. Here, people can come together, keep learning, and stay alive intellectually.”
For more information about the Frick Estate Lectures and a full course catalogue visit frickestatlectures.org.
