During the 20th century the United States developed into an urban nation, a population shift moved the emerging middle class from small towns to cities. People worked for ever-larger organizations, and daily life became immersed in corporations and institutions rather than individuals and the natural world. On the east coast, nostalgia for the simple rural life, especially of the New England village began to grow. 

The coast of New England has long attracted visitors to the drama of ocean waves on rock and shore. The area is a historical locus for the iconic beginning of our country. Additionally, New England is home to hardy individuals seemingly immune to change. These attractive qualities began to draw artists who wanted to escape the big city. Numerous art colonies grew up to provide communities to nurture artists and celebrate their artwork of New England. 

Each colony offered artists differing opportunities—to commune with rolling pastures, the mountains, the seashore, and the local inhabitants. The resulting artwork suggests the atmosphere of their places of creation such as: Luigi Lucioni’s weathered farm buildings in Vermont; Ronald Kowalke’s stalwart man in his Cape Cod portrait; Thomas W. Nason’s delicate and refined landscape; John Marin’s delightful sailboat; and Winslow Homer’s joyful children in Gloucester, MA all exemplify the New England culture, land, and character. 

These prints and others of New England from the Gladys Lux print collection may be seen in the 2nd floor Lux Print Gallery. The Art of New England exhibition is curated by Susan Soriente, Curator of the Lux Print Collection.