Farnsworth Art Museum, in the small coastal town of Rockland, Maine, is the perfect example of this phenomenon. Founded in 1948, the museum displays approximately 15,000 works of American art from the 18th century to the present day, the quality of which could stand up to any major metropolitan collection. Particularly, the museum’s vast collection of works from three generations of Wyeths– the famous family of artists renowned for capturing the essence of the American experience. From the Wyeths to Edward Hopper to George Bellows, the museum’s perhaps most interesting aspect is the mission and tether that holds the impressive collection together: to celebrate Maine’s role in American art. 

We spoke with David Troup, who’s worked for Farnsworth Art Museum for sixteen years as Communications and Marketing Manager, to learn more about how the museum achieves this distinct mission. 

How the Farnsworth Celebrates Maine’s Place in American Art

The artists whose work is displayed at the museum have various levels of connection to the state, but all have something in common: Maine has at some point inspired their artistic works. 

“When you look at the names of the artists who have called Maine home or who have come to Maine in years gone by– including the 19th century, 20th century and still today– because of the lower cost of living, you’re dealing with some of the greatest names in American art history. From the Bellows and the Homers to Hopper,” Troup said. 

The lower cost of living and natural beauty are the two main draws that have long had artists flocking to Maine. 

“The great move that happened post-World War II when Alex Katz and so many of his contemporaries moved up to Maine, because they had been working in tiny lofts in New York City and suddenly found they could– for a tenth of the price– get a house with some land,” Troup said.

Instead of taking the subway for an hour to find a natural setting for plein-air painting, these artists could step into their own backyard and find immediate inspiration. So whether from artists who were born and raised in Maine or spent time working in the Pine Tree State, each of the Farnsworth galleries celebrate one aspect or another of their Maine-focused mission.

Three Generations of the Wyeth Family at the Farnsworth

Another notable aspect of the Farnsworth’s collection is their Wyeth connection. The museum displays artwork from three generations of the renowned family of American artists, from N.C. to Andrew to Jamie. Because of its association with the Wyeth Foundation of American Art, the museum has access to the 7,000 works by Andrew Wyeth, only 11% of which have ever been exhibited. Troup said over the next few years, Farnsworth Art Museum and Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania will be exploring and revealing these works through many different themes.

N.C. Wyeth, Treasure Island, 1997

The Wyeths’ connection to Maine began in 1920 when N.C. Wyeth– legendary illustrator and patriarch of the artistic family– bought a country house in Port Clyde, Maine (about 20 minutes away from the current location of the Farnsworth). Thus the family spent their summers in the area, as the next two generations of Wyeths came of age into their own artistic careers. 

Andrew Wyeth, son of N.C., is celebrated for his realistic and detailed depictions of rural life and landscapes, particularly in the Brandywine Valley of Pennsylvania and coastal Maine.

“The works of Andrew Wyeth that we show here in our collection were all painted here in Maine,” Troup said. “If you go to the Brandywine in Pennsylvania, they showcase the works he did at Kuerner Farm and near Chadds Ford. So those are the Pennsylvania works and we’re split very clearly along those lines.”

Andrew Wyeth, Her Room, 1963

Son of Andrew Jamie Wyeth’s art has continued the family tradition of capturing the landscapes and people of rural America, but with a more contemporary and often surreal twist. 

Troup said Farnsworth’s relationship with the Wyeths goes back to 1944, four years before the museum opened to the public. Many times, a museum is started when an art collector dies and their personal collection becomes a museum. 

“That’s not what happened here,” Troup said. “What happened here was that Lucy Farnsworth left $1.3 million for a museum to be built, but there was no collection. A man by the name of Robert Bellows started purchasing works to add to the collection. And one of the first artists he zeroed in on was a young, still unknown Andrew Wyeth in New York. He purchased six works in 1944, four years before the museum opened.”

Planning a Visit to the Farnsworth

Lynne Drexler, Saha, 1959, Oil on canvas

Maine may be the common link between all the work at Farnsworth, but that inspiration manifested across a wide array of artistic forms. The museum is home to art of every style of work, from oil paintings to sculpture to video art. You have Lynne Drexler’s abstract bursts of color in oil paint. Jason Brown (also known as Firefly) is a member of the Penobscot Nation who works in digital film and composes his own music. Jeremy Frey is renowned as a skilled basket weaver, working out of Maine to create his masterpieces with ash and porcupine quills. The variety and creativity Farnsworth has on display truly has no bounds. 

Reflecting its setting in the small Maine town, the museum atmosphere is warm, personable and friendly. It’s primarily a gallery-centric experience with some immersive, video displays as well. 

Apart from the main museum, you can visit The Farnsworth Homestead, the 19th-century home of museum benefactor Lucy Farnsworth. Additionally, there’s the Olson House, a National Historic Landmark well-known as the setting of Andrew Wyeth’s “Christina’s World” and around 300 other paintings.

Andrew Wyeth, Christina’s World, 1948

As a New Yorker with an art background, Troup recalled visiting Farnsworth Art Museum for the first time when he and his wife moved to Maine. 

“I walked into Farnsworth and I really couldn’t believe the quality of the works that were on view,” Troup said. “It’s not what I was expecting in a small town on the seaside in Maine.”

Goes Well With This Journey:

Islands and Inlets: Maine Maritime Adventures: With thousands of miles of jagged coastline; countless rugged islands, inland lakes and ponds; a labyrinth of streams and rivers; and a culture still driven by nautical history, Maine is a place best discovered on the water. Whether pulling traps on a lobster boat, paddling deep-woods ponds in search of moose, or commuting between islands by mail boat, this adventurous Maine road trip offers a new experience on the water nearly every day. In the evenings, rest your head on dry land while listening to lapping water and loon calls from your secluded inn or lodge.

The post The Wyeths: Three Generations of Artistic Legacy in Coastal Maine appeared first on All Roads North.

You probably know about Upstate New York’s creative mecca, Hudson Valley, but have you heard of the nearby Massachusetts Berkshires?

A rural region in the mountains of western Massachusetts dotted with villages and towns, the Northern Berkshires is known for its rich cultural and artistic scene, as well as its fall foliage and overall rustic idyll. 

We spoke with Nina Keneally, a former theater producer and gallerist and friend of All Roads North, to get the intel on this flourishing artistic oasis.

“You could probably find a new trail to hike every day of the year for at least three or four years because there is so much nature, but especially in the summer season, you also couldn’t begin to do everything that’s offered here artistically,” Keneally said. 

Jacob’s Pillow

History of the Arts in the Berkshires

The Berkshires’ convenient location just a few hours away from Boston and New York City has long provided the perfect country escape for wealthy city folk. Where the money went, the arts soon followed. 

“Especially in the Southern Berkshires, a lot of arts developed here because people had summer homes here. It’s always been a summer escape for those artists– classical artists, musicians and dancers,” Keneally said.

Centers of education like Williams College also contributed to the cultural scene by supplying strong arts programs and attracting young creatives. Thomas Krens was director of the Williams College Museum of Art and an integral figure in the Berkshires’ artistic renaissance. During his time at Williams, inspiration struck him for an unlikely contemporary art museum in the Berkshires.  

“Thomas Krens knew about this building in North Adams, which had once been an electric plant but had been vacant since the 70’s,” Keneally said. “He had the idea to put this contemporary art museum there that could handle very large works of art that really didn’t have anywhere else to go. That was the genesis of MASS MoCA.”

Krens’ latest vision is for a new museum focused on model railroads and architecture in the Northern Berkshires, which is currently under construction. The project, called the Extreme Model Railroad and Contemporary Architecture Museum, promises to deliver a “museum-theme park” experience, completed as early as 2025.

Our Favorite Art and Music in The Berkshires

The Clark Institute

As for now, the galleries, museums, festivals and showings in the Berkshires are endless across seemingly every artistic category– from visual arts to dance to music. From monumental museums to trendy galleries, here are a few of the top attractions: 

• Massachusetts Museum of Modern Art (aka MASS MoCA): A modern art museum in North Adams housed in a former electric plant with an emphasis on large-scale, immersive works
• Tanglewood: The famed summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and one of the world’s most beloved music festivals.
• Ferrin Contemporary: A 40-year old modern ceramic art gallery, located on MASS MoCA’s 16-acre campus.
• Jacob’s Pillow: The 220-acre home to America’s longest-running international dance festival which hosts performances, talks, and events, as well as dance training.
• The Clark Art Institute: Both an art museum and a distinguished center for research and higher education. Keneally said The Clark is the best in the area in regards to the landscape and architecture.
• MCLA Gallery 51: Run by the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Gallery 51 exhibits art from an international mix of both emerging and mid-career artists.
• Bang on a Can: The Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival at MASS MoCA is a 3-week musical fest dedicated to adventurous, contemporary music.

Suggested Itineraries in The Berkshires:

MASS MoCA

Explore the captivating artistic scene in the Massachusetts Berkshires yourself. All Roads North will pair you with artists and expert guides to introduce you to the heart of the region. 

Start with some inspiration from these itineraries: 

Luxury New England Road Trip – Meet Boston academics, Maine lobstermen, and brewers from Vermont, while staying in style at some of the region’s top hotels.

New York to Montreal Road Trip: Where Past Meets Present – Whether exploring the Great Camps of the Adirondacks, cheering on your horse at Saratoga Springs or biking amongst the outdoor exhibits of a forward-thinking art center in Hudson Valley, this New York to Montreal road trip balances the glamor of an era gone by with the area’s forward-thinking, contemporary heart.

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