Art in Farmington Village

Presenting over 60 paintings and works on paper by more than 20 artists, Art in Farmington Village traces the history of the Farmington art scene from the 18th to 20th century. Organized in collaboration with the Farmington Historical Society and the first Museum exhibition to examine this subject in depth, this presentation explores the emergence of Farmington's art colony, its key patrons, and the role of individual artists, including James McDougal Hart (1828–1901), Aaron Draper Shattuck (1832–1928), Robert Bolling Brandegee (1849–1922), Charles Foster (1850–1931), Cecilia Beaux (1855–1942), Allen Butler Talcott (1867–1908), Helen Andrews (1872–1960), and James Britton (1878–1936). Today the work of these artists can be found in museums, homes, churches, and historical centers within and beyond the borders of Farmington.

Art in Farmington Village celebrates the resounding legacy of Farmington’s artistic heritage, offering new research on the subject, much of which is represented in a catalogue of artist biographies published on the occasion of the show. Primary focal points of the exhibition include early portraiture and landscape painting, as well as artworks by Robert Bolling Brandegee and his students and colleagues. The exhibition comprises works drawn from the collections of the New Britain Museum of American Art, the Connecticut Historical Society, the Farmington Historical Society, the Farmington Libraries, the Unionville Museum, the Florence Griswold Museum of Art, the Mattatuck Museum, Stanley-Whitman House, and private lenders.

Organized in collaboration with the Farmington Historical Society. Art in Farmington Village is made possible by the generosity of the Special Exhibition Fund donors, including John N. Howard, Sylvia Bonney, Anita Arcuni Ferrante and Anthony Ferrante, The Aeroflex Foundation, and Pierre and MaryEllen Guertin. We also gratefully acknowledge the funding of Irene and Charles J. Hamm, Kelly and Jonathan Jarvis and Carolyn and Elliot Joseph. Additional support for Art in Farmington Village is provided by Martin and Cynthia Cooper, The Sandra and Arnold Chase Family Foundation, Inc., and John and Kim Downes.