Rockport in the 1930s Lecture at the Cape Ann Museum

The Cape Ann Museum is pleased to present an illustrated lecture by Les Bartlett on Saturday, September 18 at 11:00 a.m. in the Folly Cove Auditorium. This lecture is presented in conjunction with the special exhibition Ars Longa, Vita Brevis: Rockport Artists of the 1930s. This event is free for members or with museum admission. To make a reservation, please call Jeanette Smith at 978-283-0455 ext. 12 or email jeanettesmith@capeannmuseum.org

In his lecture Rockport in the 1930s, Mr. Bartlett will focus on the emergence of the art colony and galleried artists in Rockport. These events occurred when the town was in a time of transition from a summer colony of visitors to a town rapidly preparing for what would emerge some twenty years later – the day tripper. Throughout all of this, Rockport remained unaware.

It was quickly swept away from being the ‘Small town,’ to facing the consequences of the depression and the darkening clouds of World War II. Yet through it all great art, humor and pathos reigned.

Since the ‘Chapters on a Quarry Wall’ exhibit at the Cape Ann Museum (October 2007-January 2008) the photography and historic lecturing of Leslie D. Bartlett has followed him off Cape Ann throughout the Northeast. In 2009 he installed works in the Soho Photo Gallery, New York, New York as guest photographer, and in Montpelier, Vermont at the State Capital. His lectures in New York and Vermont covered the development of summer tourism in Rockport during the 19th century and its influence on art, both painting and photography. In July of 2010, he spoke at the Schooner Adventure lecture series on “A Journey through the Abandoned Quarries of Cape Ann.” He is currently researching and writing a book titled ‘Rockport Granite.’

The Cape Ann Museum is located at 27 Pleasant Street in Gloucester. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Museum is closed during the month of February, on Mondays, and on major holidays. Admission is $8.00 adults, $6.00 Cape Ann residents, seniors and students. Children under 12 and Museum members are free. The Museum is wheelchair accessible. For more information please call:

(978) 283-0455. Additional information can be found online at www.capeannmuseum.org.