CONNECTICUT RIVER MUSEUM - ESSEX, CT
I have spend many a pleasant afternoon strolling down to the base of Main Street in Essex to reach the Connecticut River. On several occasions we have gone into the Connecticut River Museum and enjoyed their nicely prepared historical displays. We also enjoyed the Christmas trains display with the family. Now it seems that the Connecticut River Foundation is expanding its mission and vision of what this museum can offer the community. The Foundation at Steamboat Warehouse was established in 1974 as a small, all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the history of the Connecticut River and its people. Today, the museum is a private, not-for-profit, educational institution which recently purchased the Samuel lay House which adjoins the museum property.
Mid-June I ventured to the museum with family in tow to discover that the most recent exhibition
NEW DEAL ART ALONG THE THE RIVER
"During the Depression and the early years of World War II, the American Government supported the arts in unprecedented ways. A wide variety of artistic projects were sponsored through the Federal Arts Project. The projects promoted American art and culture and employed thousands of artists." The exhibition at the Connecticut River Museum offered a wonderful sample of the artist who lived and worked along the river.
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| Yngve Edward Soderberg, On the Rail |
The cover art for this exhibit was done by Yngve Edward Soderbergh who was born in Chicago, but later settled in Mystic. He was a water colorist and etcher who also created a WPA mural which can be seen at the US Coast Guard Academy in New London.
Certainly, comprehensive exhibitions offered by major museums provide the visitor with a grand experience. But small regional shows can be very worthwhile and positive - as was the art on display in Essex in June. The curator did a nice job collecting art from many Connecticut institutions. Below you'll find some of my favorites.
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| Beatrice Cuming, Saturday night, New London |
I'll admit it, I am always on the look out for female artists and to my great pleasure there were a number on the walls in this show. In 1934 Beatrice Cuming relocated from New York to New London and participated in a number of Federal Art Projects. Much of her art is a study of the industrial landscape; however the range of the styles of her work is very exciting as this show revealed.
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| Beatrice Cuming, Tuna Boad |
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Beatrice Cuming, Industrial Landscape
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Harold Barbour was a Higganum artist and spend time painting the scene of the all important tobacco industry in Connecticut. His attention to detail can be seen the two pictures below. Notice that most of the workers appear to be women with male supervisors.
Another favorite was done by Corneila Vetter from Haddam who did 18 painting for the Federal Arts project, including the follow painting of her hometown.
Many fine paintings by Connecticut artist who one doesn't normal have access to were on display as shown by the following sample.
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| Frank Raymond, Rod Singer's Boat |
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| Archie Tillinghast, Gathering Marsh Hay |
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| Jerome Stavola, Park Concert |
This exhibit tells the story of life along the Connecticut River and reminds us of the important contribution that the Federal Art Project made in supporting and preserving art during the depression. If this exhibition is any indication of the commitment to expanded the scope of the museum, I will be monitoring their plans for future exhibitions.
Postscription: I found a very interesting article call Art of the Thirties by Arthur D. Hittner. It can be found at http://www.antiquesandfineart.com/articles/article.cfm?request=966 It discussed the masters of the movement called American Scene which flourished during the 1930's.
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| Nancy and I outside the museum |
