FARNSWORTH AT 75
One of our favorite places to visit while in Maine is the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland. Aside from their extension collection of works by three generations of the Wyeth Family, they have wonderful special exhibitions. We hoped we’d see the Edward Hopper/Andrew Wyeth exhibit, but it was only up for a short time, and we waited too long.
Nevertheless, we always like seeing items in the permanent collection. The Farnsworth is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year with an exhibit entitled: New Voices from Maine in American Art. It includes both old and new acquisitions. Also on display was an exhibit of works presented by the Alex Katz Foundation. There is a range of styles and media. I was captivated by the pair of robins, the bright Chihuly glass, and by the new Wyeth acquisition above and these marvelously colorful juice glasses by Janet Fish.
The Alex Katz Foundation gallery highlights several of Katz’s paintings (a cutout of a green cow, for one) plus works by friends and other artists. I like Katz’s pieces and find that his dramatic use of vibrant color draws the eye in.
His foundation’s mission is to encourage newer artists and to give their work greater notice in a museum setting. To date, the Katz Foundation has donated more than 1,000 works to various art museums.
VISIONS OF MAINE
Next door to the Farnsworth is the Blue Raven Gallery. Originally a bank, this red brick building boasts a gorgeous interior with arched windows and a beautiful ceiling. The current exhibit is photography by Peter Ralston.
I first came across Mr. Ralston in the pages of Down East magazine, and now I get his weekly e-mail of photographs and commentary. Growing up in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, his next door neighbors were Betsy and Andrew Wyeth. Once he was out of school and working as a photo journalist, the Wyeths enticed him to Maine. He never left, and today lives and works in Rockport. His images capture the beauty and the mystery of the Maine coast.
CASUAL LUNCH
On previous trips to Rockland, we’ve enjoyed lobster rolls at the Brass Compass Café. Sadly, at least for us, that space is now Sweet Dirt, a cannabis store. Left adrift, we walked along Main Street until we came to Clan Maclaren. Reminiscent of Ninth Street Bakery in Durham, NC, it’s a simple place and space.
Order your sandwich at the counter, help yourself to ice tea or coffee, and then bus your dishes when you finish. We sat at a table on the street and enjoyed lobster rolls in slightly chewy buns with a pickle and chips on the side. A somewhat unusual presentation, but the lobster was that-morning-fresh and delicate.
Note: Header photo is Cismont 1962 by Lynne Drexler at the Farnsworth Art Museum. Unattributed photos by JWFarrington.
