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An exhibit of Rockwell Kent's work, at The Appleton in Ocala, is inspired by his repeated trips to remote areas. Also at the museum is an exhibit of original drawings made by Dr. Seuss in the creation of the Grinch story.
By JORGE SANCHEZ
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 22, 2000
OCALA -- The striking landscape paintings of American artist Rockwell Kent is the latest exhibit at the Appleton Museum of Art.
Distant Shores is the first major museum exhibition devoted to a central aspect of Kent's work -- his repeated trips into remote wilderness areas. Distant Shores features works from five areas that gave him inspiration. These are Monhegan Island off the coast of Maine, Newfoundland, Resurrection Bay in Alaska, Tierra Del Feugo and Greenland.
To paint the rugged landscapes, Kent would venture into these areas and stay for an extended period of time. His paintings reflect not only his artistic talent, but a deeper understanding of how the forces of nature created the scene.
The exhibit contains more than 80 paintings, prints and drawings from private and public collections throughout the world. This includes a loan of seven paintings from the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. Kent's left-wing political beliefs caused him plenty of trouble and lost revenues during the 1950s. He was blacklisted by the McCarthy investigations and the State Department revoked his passport. As an act of defiance, he donated about 80 paintings and 800 watercolors to the people of the Soviet Union in 1960.
Distant Shores also contains Kent's first-ever Alaska print, The Christmas Tree, which will have its first public exhibition at The Appleton.
The exhibit is organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum, and The Appleton is one of only three U.S. locations where it can be seen on tour. Distant Shores will be at the Appleton through Jan. 28.
Joining Distant Shores will be Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas -- The Exhibition.
These are original drawings made by Dr. Seuss in the creation of the Grinch holiday story. The drawings illustrate how an idea evolves from its inception to its eventual mass release as a major motion picture.
The Grinch exhibit will be at The Appleton until Feb. 7.
The Appleton Museum is at 4333 NE Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The museum is closed Christmas and New Year's Day. General admission is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. Docent-led tours are at 1:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information, call (352) 236-7100.