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Current Exhibition
A. Elmer Crowell
Master of Decoys & More
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Curlew decorative, photograph by David Allen, courtesy of Copley Fine Art Auctions, LLC.
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September 27, 2008 – January 25, 2009
This exhibition showcases some of the best work of A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) of East Harwich, far and away the most gifted bird carver and decoy maker of his generation. His work is prized by collectors for sheer beauty of form, detailed carving, and masterful, subtle brushwork.
Eleven never-before-exhibited, early pieces are featured in the exhibition. Most exciting is a Canada goose with a sinuously curved neck. This is a mate-piece to Crowell’s well-known preening goose and hissing gander, and has been described as the best of the three.
This same group includes a robust preening pintail, an inquisitively-reaching black duck, a calling green-wing teal drake with hen, and a snuggle-headed merganser. Visitors will also enjoy viewing four early shorebird decoys, three black-bellied plovers and a yellowlegs, in the same form as the famous decoys shown on the dust-jacket of William Mackey’s classic 1965 book, American Bird Decoys.
These extraordinary pieces are surrounded by other classic Crowell carvings of shorebirds, gamebirds, and waterfowl, as well as an array of colorful songbirds. The carvings range in size from a miniature hummingbird only an inch in length to the life-size Canada goose. Works in the exhibition have been generously loaned by sixteen private collectors as well as the Peabody Essex Museum and Heritage Museums and Gardens.
Decoy enthusiasts will be interested to see a carving marked with an as yet undocumented Crowell oval brand with serif letters.
Exhibitions are open Tuesday - Sunday, 1 - 5 pm.
Admission is free to Mass Audubon members. Non-member fees are $4 for adults and $3 for children and seniors.
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About the Visual Arts Center
The Mass Audubon Visual Arts Center is the Mass Audubon's art museum, offering exhibitions and programs that connect people and nature through art. Exhibitions are open Friday-Sunday, 1-5 pm. Trails through the 138-acre wildlife sanctuary are open Tuesday-Sunday and Monday holidays, 9 am - 5 pm. Admission is free to Mass Audubon members. Non-member fees are $4 for adults and $3 for children and seniors. For information: 781-821-8853 or visual-arts@massaudubon.org.
Address:
963 Washington Street
Canton, MA 02021
781-821-8853
Directions to the Visual Arts Center
Visit the Museum Gift Shop!
Visit the Museum Gift Shop and find an array of unique gifts, as well as original art, books, stationery and educational toys. We offer special discounts to Mass Audubon members. Proceeds from your purchase support the Mass Audubon Visual Arts Center's ongoing education and conservation efforts.
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