Photographic Exhibit Features Rockwell Kent

This exhibition of digital photographs, printed in large format, documents an extraordinary life and are from Kent's personal collection. Many have never been previously on view. The exhibition runs through May 30, 2005 in the Rockwell Kent Gallery, Feinberg Library, at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh.

The exhibit highlights the life of Rockwell Kent, who at various times was an architect, draftsman, carpenter, unskilled laborer, painter, illustrator, printmaker, commercial artist, designer, traveler/explorer, writer, professional lecturer, dairy farmer and political activist who lived in AuSable Forks from 1927 until his death in 1971.

This small selection has been taken from more than 4,000 photographs, currently being catalogued by the museum staff, given to benefit the Plattsburgh State Art Museum in 2000 from the estate of Sally (Kent) Gorton, Kent's widow.

The photographs follow the life of the famous artist from his birth in Tarrytown, N.Y. in 1882, his study of architecture at Columbia University and his enrollment in William Merritt Chase's summer school at Shinnecock Hill, Long Island. Kent also studied art with Abbott H. Thayer and attended the New York School of Art.

The photographs document Kent's extensive travel and interested in remote arctic lands where he stayed for extended periods of time to paint, write and become acquainted with the local inhabitants. Between 1918 and 1935, he wrote and illustrated several popular books about his experiences in Alaska, Tierra del Fuego and Greenland.

For more information on the exhibit or the Plattsburgh State Art Museum, contact Edward Brohel, Art Museum director, at 518-564-2178. The Kent Gallery is open daily, noon to 4 p.m., except holidays.

-- 30 --