Bennington Museum

The promise of seeing some Alice Neel paintings got my husband and me to Bennington for the afternoon. We had never been to the Bennington Museum at 75 Main Street. There were wonderful surprises waiting for us.

 

Alice Neel/Erastus Salisbury Field:  Painting the People 
is a very special exhibit which you can see until November 2, 2014. I did not know how interesting the comparison of two American artists painting people 100 years apart would be. The similarities and differences in style - of brushwork, attitude and fashion - made for a fascinating exhibition. I think I'll go again...I do love Alice Neel paintings and there were some gems there. 

The other surprises? Many, many Grandma Moses canvasses; I find these charming, intriguing and quaint in small doses. And who doesn't like Bennington potters?

But I LOVE Rockwell Kent and there were three of them on display from their permanent collection. Unfortunately, his paintings, seem to suffer in photographs. The way to appreciate Kent's paintings seems to be in person. Luckily they keep turning up in my New England museum travels and are always a happy occasion.

And lastly, George Aiken Wildflower Trail...a work in progress...outside on the pine knoll on the museum grounds. This is exactly what we are trying to do on our own wooded acreage; remove invasives and restore native plants, adding some seating to appreciate the beauty.

Hope you get to go to the Bennington Museum this summer or fall. They make it easy...open daily.