Although she lives in the heart of Manhattan, Judy never has time to frequent the multitude of galleries in New York City. Judy and her sister Pamela always seem, however, to find time to visit the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland when they are in Maine.
Judy explained, "Whenever we visit, it always has something of value that we treasure for the rest of the year."
The Farnsworth Museum has a unique mission as a nationally recognized gallery in the heart of Down East Maine.
Founded in 1948, its permanent collection is assembled to represent "Maine in America" and encompasses paintings by such American artists as Andrew Wyeth, Gilbert Stuart, Alex Katz, and Edward Hopper.
These artists may seem only loosely related, but Director of Marketing David Stucky contends that most American painters are closely connected with Maine in one way or another.
"The South of France has cultural significance for European painters and Maine has similar importance for American artists in that most artists have worked or studied here," he explained.
The Farnsworth Museum also has special significance to people who visit it, according to Christina from Cincinnati. She and her husband spend their summers in Castine, Maine, but never miss an opportunity to view the exhibits in Rockland on their way back to Ohio.
Christina says simply, "We never tire of the museum. The layout of the art is simple, so as not to be overwhelming. It is very peaceful here."
The atmosphere in every gallery is slightly different, but the tranquility is evident throughout the museum. Set apart from the hustle and bustle of downtown Rockland, light-filled rooms create a peaceful atmosphere. The blue-grey walls and wood paneling of the Rothschild Gallery present the opportunity to enjoy art freely, among friends and with soft light.
Beige walls provide a perfect, subtle background for the paintings by Alex Katz displayed in the Morehouse Wing. The exhibit, Alex Katz in Maine, showcases the bright colors in 23 of Katz's Maine paintings, including "The Yellow House II," a painting of Katz's summer house in Lincolnville, Maine.
This unique exhibition's timing is fortuitous since Katz has recently began to receive wider recognition for his work. Katz's work is currently on display as one of three renowned artists recently commissioned by United Technologies to create billboard sized paintings. These billboards will mark 25 years of art sponsorship by the company and will be displayed through October in the SoHo district of New York City.
Alex Katz in Maine, which runs through October 16, falls on the heels of a display of his collages at Colby College, now on display at the Farnsworth Museum in conjunction with the larger collection. Together the two collections form a comprehensive compilation of Alex Katz's work over the past 40 years and provide a special opportunity to view them simultaneously that will not be duplicated in the near future.
The second level of the Wyeth Center is a warm, homey backdrop for the second seasonal exposition called Gulls, Ravens, and a Vulture: the Ornithological Paintings of James Wyeth. The show, which closes October 10, is an assemblage of whimsical portraits that endow hens, seagulls, and ravens with human characteristics.
N. C. Wyeth was an illustrator of fanciful stories, using vivid colors to enliven stories like Treasure Island and Robin Hood. His son Andrew, most famous for Christina's World, painted a bulk of his paintings in Cushing, Maine, a 15-minute drive from Rockland.
Andrew's son James has focused on the landscape and people of Monhegan Island in many of his creations.
The connection between the Wyeth family and Maine is indisputable, so it is no surprise that people flock to the Farnsworth Museum to see their paintings. John, a Farnsworth Museum member, admits that while he loves all of the exhibits, the collection of Andrew Wyeth's paintings is his favorite: "[Andrew] Wyeth's pieces are always worth the drive from Freeport to see."
Because the Wyeth paintings are so close to the hearts of museumgoers and museum officials, the Wyeth Center houses parts of the permanent collection and special exhibits devoted solely to this talented family.
For those interested in a closer look at their lives, the museum plans a Christmas event, entitled Share the Wonder, in conjunction with Rockland's Festival of Lights, occurring November 25-27 this winter. The exhibit will include memorabilia from Christmases celebrated in the Wyeth household ranging from toy trains to ornaments to toys from yesteryear.
This Christmastime occasion should illustrate that the Farnsworth Museum is dedicated to the enjoyment of art.
Many institutions confuse the appreciation of art with a finely honed skill or difficult task: this is not the case in Rockland. Here art is to be enjoyed by everyone from the youngest toddler to the wisest benefactor.
Judy of Manhattan said, "I am not that well versed in art, but I stand here and I look at that painting and say, 'It looks exactly like I am looking out of a window at the ocean,' and that is what I love about it."