Fresh Off the Easel – Plein Air Painters Deliver Again

One day last week, I was on kind of a “scavenger hunt” on Museum grounds. My job was to find some of the 27 award-winning artists who were chosen to participate in the annual Plein Air Painters event at Mystic Seaport.  I didn’t have to go far.

Across from the Galley Restaurant was Howard Park. The focal point of his oil painting was the waterfront scene immediately in front of him, but off in the distance the Morgan still made her presence known on his canvas. As I sat next to him on the bench, I marveled at this artist’s talent and concentration despite my interruption and questions; his paintbrush never stopped working.

 Howard Park is no stranger to Mystic Seaport. He has lectured at the Museum’s Maritime Gallery and over the years has had many of his paintings exhibited there. Still, like other artists I met, he considers it a “treat to paint on campus” and feels honored to be among those chosen for the annual Plein Air Painters event.

"Seaport Scene" by Howard Park

Moving on, I found artist, Neal Hughes, fine tuning his oil painting of the Life Saving Station. In my eyes, it never looked so good! This is the 3^rd year that Neal has been a part of Plein Air Painters. He teaches oil art classes in Moorest, NJ, and says he enjoys meeting fellow artists at Mystic Seaport. He feels that the Museum grounds offer many great choices in where and what to paint.

"Tilghman Island Sunrise" by Neal Hughes

After watching over the shoulders of these talented artists, I, for one, am looking forward to viewing their completed works at the Museum’s Maritime Gallery. The exhibit will be featured there until the end of August. Undoubtedly some paintings will have been sold, but perhaps you will still find just the Plein Air painting you’ve been looking for to complement your home or office décor.

Mystic Seaport’s Maritime Gallery is open daily from10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Do yourself a favor. Come take a look.

Blog posted by Trudi Busey.

The WoodenBoat Show Returns to Mystic Seaport

In June many people’s fancy turns to thoughts of the WoodenBoat Show at Mystic Seaport. Well, get ready – it will be back June 25-27.

For wooden boat aficionados (or not) – this show lives up to its billing as “the most dynamic wooden boat show in the country” by WoodenBoat Magazine. As many of today’s boats are now made of fiberglass, these wooden boats are in a beautifully different category of their own. The owners’ pride shines as bright as the finish on their boats, and many are delighted to have visitors board their prize possessions.

The 19^th annual WoodenBoat Show features both contemporary and classic boats of every class – power, sail, oar and paddle.  Also on tap are workshops where you can learn some tips and skills on building and/or preserving wooden boats.

Under the tent, vendors of all things nautical will entice you with unique gifts or boaters’ necessities that you’d be hard-put to find in your average store.

As a car dealer would say, this is a “cream puff” of a show.  Mark your calendar now:

The Wooden Boat Show at Mystic Seaport, June 25-27. We’ll see you here!

Meet Mystic Seaport Staffer Sarah Spencer

Sarah Spencer says “keeping all the balls in the air” is one of the challenges of her position as the Museum’s Group Sales Manager and Location and Production Coordinator. It’s easy to understand that some juggling talents are definitely part of Sarah’s workday.
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1. How long have you been employed at Mystic Seaport?
SS: In June it will be 20 years. I’ve worked in lots of different exhibits – and departments.  I worked in most of the exhibits, including the Print Shop, the Shipcarver’s Shop and the Cooperage; I was lead cooper for several years. I’ve done some roleplaying, and I also spent a summer making oars in the Shipyard and two years transcribing oral histories for Fred Calabretta in the Library.  I’ve been in Marketing and Communications in different positions for about 10 years.  For a Sociology major graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, I’ve had a fun and interesting work career – from New York City, to MIT in Boston to Mystic Seaport.  I feel a fair amount of sadness when I think about my year in New York – I had been a front desk clerk at the hotel located between the Twin Towers. 

Sarah Spencer in front of the Museum's Cooperage building

2. What’s the best part of your job?
SS: I really love the variety despite some of the challenges that may come with it.  My daily planner entries are often crossed out because something else takes precedence. A new filmmaker may need escorting around the Museum or tour buses arrive un-scheduled, or one of our area hotels needs tickets. 

3. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
SS: I think probably one of the hardest things is to let it go.  With technology the way it is, one has to really school oneself to not constantly check the email, phone or voicemail in the evening or weekends.  Mostly I don’t want anyone to be disappointed – from the visitor to my colleagues.    

Working with filmmakers presents different challenges, but it can be a delight. The Museum has guidelines regarding when and where they may shoot. No part of the grounds is closed to visitors during filming, so we encourage filmmakers to work either before the Museum opens or after it closes. We also suggest the best time to film is between the months of November and March, when fewer visitors are on grounds. But it’s colder and doesn’t always provide the “look” that they’re seeking.  So, there can be a bit of juggling.  

4.  What’s the funniest or most notable on-the-job experience you’ve had?
SS:  Of late, my involvement with the Ric Burns’ film Into the Deep was a special experience in so many ways. I’m excited for its public debut. On the more humorous side, when I was a tour guide for Lantern Light Tours as we were leaving the Morgan after a scene below, one patron asked, “Is this ship real?” Maybe its authenticity was questioned because the interpreters were in character. It was sort of a strange question. 

5. What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
SS: My husband and I love to travel. We also enjoy winemaking as a hobby. I also just finished the Memorial Day weekend “Angel Ride”, which was a 50-mile bike ride that benefited Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. I felt as if I needed someone to catch me once I arrived at the finish line — it was one long bike ride!    

Sarah was interviewed by Volunteer Trudi Busey and photographed by Andy Price.