OGUNQUIT — The Ogunquit Museum is a hidden treasure in the state of Maine. It is like a rare gem, small but quality. One glass wall overlooks the Atlantic Ocean from floor to ceiling. Walking into the museum, which was built in 1953, feels like walking into the ocean. The architecture of the museum is understated, elegant and beautiful. The glass wall facing the ocean makes the ocean a work of art in itself.

Currently, 18 works by Jamie Wyeth line the walls of the central gallery of the museum and are spellbinding. 
        Interim Director Andres Verzosa has brought new life into the museum with his outstanding selection of art by Wyeth from the artist’s own private collection. Verzosa was one of the founders of “The First Friday Art Walk” in Portland, and owned the well-known Aucocisco Gallery which specialized in outstanding artists across the state. His contacts in the Maine art world are legendary. Verzosa has a unique sense of personal warmth, knowledge in the art world, and a gift for uniting people.
      “I love the creative challenge of selecting works for an exhibit to show to the public, and meeting the artists personally,” Verzosa said in an interview. “I love people and bringing them together into the museum from all walks of life. I enjoy working with others and making connections in the art world from a wide variety of past experiences. Most of all I particularly have enjoyed working with our wonderful volunteers who are the heart of this museum.”
        “The Islander,”an oil on canvas 34 x 44  created in 1975, depicting a ram, is Verzosa’s favorite work in the exhibit, although he loves them all. He especially loved visiting Wyeth to select the work in the exhibit. He was impressed with his humility and generosity of spirit. Verzosa asked the Wyeth to come to the opening, and  he generously spent the whole day at the museum from 10 in the morning until after the opening in the evening.

A unique and beautiful work in the Wyeth exhibit is titled “Wicker,” an oil on canvas, 22 x 29 inches. An arrangement of white wicker chairs with huge backs enclose Jamie’s wife, Phyllis. All you can see of her figure is a wonderful straw hat and two high-heeled, black-buttoned shoes. This subtle work is a masterpiece of mystery and intrigue. You have to look closely to realize a human being is seated in one large white wicker chair. The design of the wicker furniture hides the figure. Its intricate design is so fascinating that at first you do not realize there is a woman seated in the chair. You do notice the shoes on the floor as your eyes search upward toward to a large straw hat, but the figure of a human being is never shown.When you look closely again you discover a side silhouette of a woman’s face under the hat. It is a fascinating work filled with mystery.

        Seven works dealing with seagulls and their beautiful as well as ferocious qualities, include: “Drink,” bone and mixed media, created in 1999; ”The Flounder,” mixed media, created in 2004; “Run,” bone and mixed media, created in 1999; and “The Wolffish,”  mixed media, are outstanding.

        A special section in the exhibit holds intimate and delicate drawings of Andy Warhol, in pencil and gouache. It is worth a trip to Ogunquit just to see these works. They are poignant, moving studies of Warhol after his death, created by Wyeth. Wyeth captured  in these delicate drawings, Warhol’s loneliness and alienation from the world as the artist searched for meaning in life.
         “Moonlight Voyeur,” a gouache, gesso and watercolor on toned paper board, depicting Warhol on the rocks of Monhegan Island,  looks more like an oil painting. This powerful work was done after Warhol’s death and created from Wyeth’s imagination. It speaks more than words of man confronting nature and the power of both.

Man is depicted much smaller than nature as he looks out across the sea. Perhaps the artist is saying that Warhol is observing that nature is stronger than man, inspite of all our modern electronic and scientific inventions.These works  are profound and thought-provoking and beautifully hung in the exhibit.
        Two works are familiar because they have been reproduced over the years as prints and are part of America’s popular culture. They include the wonderful “Island Roses,” a watercolor, created in 1968, and “The Red House,” a watercolor created in 1972. These works are exciting to see in their original state because their prints have become icons in American culture. In fact a wonderful print of “Island Roses,” hangs in the family home of former Gov. Joseph Brennan, a great admirer of Jamie Wyeth. 

Maine loves Wyeth. It loves island roses that come back forever, and the sea that cannot be tamed by man. These are the concepts that Jamie Wyeth has captured in his work in this  exhibit.
         This is a special exhibit to see because it shows works from the artist’s personal collection. It also reveals, to me, that Jamie Wyeth is the star in the Wyeth family. His works have a special sense of warmth and humanity. It is an exhibit to remember. I recommend it highly.

If you have never seen the Ogunquit Museum and its beautiful gardens, Bernard Langlais sculptures on the grass, and a  graceful William Zorach bronze nude overlooking the ocean, you are in for a special treat. The outside of the museum and its grounds are as beautiful as the inside.
         An outstanding catalogue of the Wyeth exhibit written by Carl Little, including colored plates, is available at the museum.
        Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Admission is $10. Adults, $9 seniors and students, children 12 and under are free. The museum is located at 543 Shore Road.
     For more information call museum at 207-646-4909.