NANTUCKET
'S CENTURY HOUSE WELCOMES ARTIST KEVIN SHEA
Artists
Discover the Freedoms of Nantucket
(Nantucket,
MA) – June 2007. The Century House, the
oldest continuously operating inn on Nantucket, as part of its
third annual educational Art Charrette, is pleased to
welcome back renowned artist Kevin J. Shea to participate at the
inn’s 2007 Artists in Residence Program form June 3 – 9
returning after a hiatus since 1995 for his second artistic stay
at the Century House. He brings with him a fellow artist Ronal
Parlin with whom he has painted for years.
Kevin first joined our Program with his
wife Angelique well before the birth of their two daughters
Olivia and Elena and brings a wealth of knowledge to his work
and instruction with over twenty years experience painting
outdoors…including features in numerous publications and on
CNN. Based in the historic seaport of Newburyport,
Massachusetts, Shea’s subjects include classic New England
scenes, landscapes and seascapes, as well as popular European
destinations. He is best know for his light, lyrical beach
scenes, nautical lighthouses and his popular sites of Fenway
Park and Boston Public Gardens…. although Innkeeper Gerry’s
favorite work is his rendition of the old Nantucket boat yard,
complete with the flag so important to Gerry’s interests.
An evolution from the June 2005
Professional Artist’s Week, the artistic Charrettes offer a
series of intimate stays orchestrated by a long term Century
House Artist-in-Residence “Point/Master Artist” who invites
a few fellow artists to the Century House, providing a unique
opportunity for the group to create its own energy with the
purpose of congregating and critiquing each other’s work at the
end of the day.
The
innkeepers of the Century House also welcome
guests to stay during the Charrettes, which take place from
mid-May through October on select dates. While guests cannot
participate in the creative process of the group, they are
encouraged to observe the artists’ day and connect with the
artists during their Century House stay.
“We are delighted
that the Artist in Residence Program has evolved so well here at
the Century House. We look forward to seeing Nantucket through
their eyes and potentially sharing the experience with some of
our guests,” said innkeeper duo Gerry Connick and
JeanEllen Heron.
The Century House
dates back to the Cliff Road land purchase in 1833. According to
research performed by Edouard A. Stackpole, renowned Nantucket
historian and former director of the Peter Foulger Museum, the
Century House was built by a member of an old Nantucket family
of Scottish roots, Captain Robert Calder. It is said that Capt.
Calder chose this site because of the privacy, the ocean
breezes, the views, and the genuine serenity the location
provided in the 1840’s and still exhibits today. According to
Mr. Stackpole, the Century House is the oldest continuously
operating guesthouse on Nantucket Island to date.
More details on
participating artists will be posted on
http://centuryhouse.com/events-calendar.html
