Art history is Kent history, and it is a continuum. Since the 18th century, Kent has been an attraction to landscape painters seeking a beautiful setting to immortalize. Its bucolic nature has remained unspoiled by development for a variety of historic and ecological reasons: the removal of industry to the cities in the 19th century, the principle occupation of farming and the natural topography of the landscape. Therefore our lush Housatonic Highlands have remained very much as it ever was, thanks to this seeming commercial oversight.
By the 20th century, well over 250 artists chose the Litchfield Hills to be their home, many of them in Kent. They “had national reputations and are still well known, but the knowledge that they had painted [here] had been lost.” (Artists of the Litchfield Hills, by Robert Michael Austin). The quality of their work was and is impressionable, some of the best in the country.
In Kent, creativity is woven into the fabric of our community, evidenced by the formation of the Kent Art Association one hundred years ago. Here nature was, and is appreciated, the spirit of environmentalism is alive and well. Artists have created works of our shared experience. They have beautifully documented the ethereal beauty of the places of Kent, and provided a sense of place.
The Kent Historical Society is proud to bring their collective history forward with the latest exhibit, PLACES OF KENT, a unique opportunity to celebrate this moment in time when there is a renaissance of the plein air art movement. A festive benefit opening was held on October 7, 6-8pm. at The Gallery above the House of Books, with 100+ in attendance. More than 50 works, some historic, as well as many contemporary pieces created by today’s Kent artists are on display. New works are available for purchase, with 40% of the proceeds to benefit the various functions of the Kent Historical Society.
Contemporary artists include Susan Grisell, Scott Bricher, Chris Magadini, Edward Martinez, Deborah Chabrian, Jim Laurino, James Napoleon, Heather Scofield, Bob Lenz, Mill Merklein, Thomas Adkins, Shannon Blanton and Richard Stalter. Historic works by George Laurence Nelson, Carl Hirschberg, Robert H. Nisbet, Spencer Nichols, Richard Schmid, and more are also included in the exhibition. Open to the public weekends October 8 – 29, 2023, Fridays 4pm -7pm, Saturdays 1pm – 6pm, Sundays 12pm -4pm through October 29.
Please see https://kenthistoricalsociety.org/event/ for more information.
