Ogunquit Museum of American Art: Introduction

Join Our Email List Email:

(click any image
on this page
to see it larger)

Jeff Fichera's Hamilton Street is part of the Museum's Permanent Collection.

What's New at the Museum?
News and press releases from
the Ogunquit Museum of American Art.

August 10, 2010:
The OMAA Receives $40,000 Quimby Grant

Museum Director Ron Crusan is pleased to announce that the Ogunquit Museum of American Art is the recipient of a $40,000 grant from the Quimby Family Foundation. The money will be used to conduct a site planning study for the building and grounds, and to improve visitor services, for example, the reception area, lighting, signage, benches, etc.

"The Ogunquit Museum of Art was selected to receive funding because your goals and mission most closely align with our foundation's funding goals. We are truly inspired by the work that you have been doing in the state of Maine," said Hannah Quimby of the Quimby Family Foundation.

From the Quimby Grant application:

We have a great opportunity to not only modernize many of the physical amenities present on the Museum’s grounds, but also to establish the OMAA as a welcoming, safe environment that establishes the Museum as a leader in Maine arts.

Our overall goal is to improve the visitor experience at the museum. To reach that goal the Museum will undertake the following projects:

Develop a master plan for the OMAA building, grounds and parking (currently only 25 spaces)

Upgrade outdoor parking and pathway lighting (pathway currently not lit)

Replace antiquated front desk and check out system

New gallery benches (the old ones are homemade and can tip over easily)

Upgrade gallery lighting and electrical work (some lighting dates to 1953)

Replace indoor and outdoor signage with new contemporary looking signs

The improvements will improve the aesthetics of the immediate neighborhood through the coordinated design of the overall site plan. Parking, lighting, signage, walking pathways and landscaping would have a unified theme and coordinated look. The larger community as a whole will benefit by having a vastly improved museum in their town, one which will draw more visitors and improve visitation to the Town of Ogunquit. The visitors will benefit by having a safer, environmentally friendly, and a more welcoming environment in which to enjoy their visit. Overall, visitation should increase, with more repeat visitation.

Everyone will be involved in the evaluation of the project, from consultants for the site plan through professional evaluation, the staff and board through formal and informal visitor surveys, our membership and community through their comments and support. We plan to include the neighbors and community in the planning phase of the project so that they can see the need for improvements and will support the implementation of the improvements in their neighborhood.

June 28, 2010:
The OMAA Begins Search for Ogunquit Art History Artifacts

The Museum's lineage has a direct link to the early local art colonies and the beginnings of the Ogunquit Art Association. In coming years, the Museum will begin to align itself more closely with that lineage by offering a series of exhibitions and programs, many culled from our own collections, which reflect our rich history.

In keeping with the theme of honoring our artistic roots, the Museum has begun a program of collecting artifacts and ephemera about the artists and events of the early art colonies. Recently, through the estate of Edward Betts, we have acquired many early photographs of the seacoast and Perkins Cove that the artist used as references for his paintings. We have also come into possession of a May, 1965 American Artist featuring the sculpture of Robert Laurent, a 1945 catalog from the Ogunquit Art Center, many post cards from the artist colonies, and a 1931 monograph on Bernard Karfiol.

If you have old photographs, letters, books or catalogs pertaining to the art or artists from Ogunquit, please consider donating them to the Museum archive. They will become a permanent part of the museum's archives and will be preserved for future generations to research and enjoy. For more information, email OMAA Director Ron Crusan by clicking here.

August 13, 2009:
A video interview with Herb and Dorothy Vogel at the Museum from WCSH Channel 6's 207 show:

July 15, 2009:
The OMAA Invites the Seacoast Art Community to Create a Box for the 5th Annual Almost Labor Day Auction.

Dear member of the Seacoast art community,

The Ogunquit Museum of American Art invites you to participate in an innovative project to support our annual fund raiser. Will you create a box?

Any shape, any medium, any size (up to 24 inches). Two dimensions or three -- any artistic statement you would like to make to support the Ogunquit and our art community here on the Seacoast.

On Saturday, September 5th, we will showcase your box as part of our 5th “Almost Labor Day Auction”, our single largest fund raiser and one of the most popular social events of the Ogunquit season.

The Auction features original art works by well known local and national artists, and unique opportunities to visit the homes and gardens of local residents. Silent and Live Auction items include fine jewelry, weekend getaways and dinners at fine restaurants, spa packages and special items. Last year we raised over $60,000 to ensure the museum can continue to maintain the excellent exhibitions and programs while we continue to grow our role relative to Maine art and the Ogunquit art colony and to bring the very best in American art to the local communities we serve.

Let your imagination run wild and help support the Ogunquit Museum of American Art with your one-of-a-kind creations. If you would like us to supply you with a box let us know and we can provide one for you or for more information, please contact:

Priscilla Schwartz at 207-361-4097 or pschwartz@maine.rr.com

Sincerely,

Ron Crusan, Director

(Click here to download the Auction Donation Form for Boxes)

A video interview with OMAA's new Director, Ron Crusan from WCSH6's 207 show, click here.

Athenaeum hosts 'Ogunquit Museum of American Art': SeacoastOnline.com

An Interview with OMAA's new Director, Ron Crusan, with photo, in the Portland Press Herald.

April 25, 2009:
An Interview with OMAA's New Director, Ron Crusan

After curating more than 160 exhibitions at some of the most respected museums in New England, Ron Crusan knows fine art -- and a fine museum -- when he sees it. As the new Director of the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, Ron knows he has a unique and exciting organization to work with. Here the manager, educator, historian, and artist reflects on the Museum, its Permanent Collection, and the challenges ahead.

What were your first impressions of the OMAA?

Ron Crusan: I had known of the Museum and its collection for years. It has an excellent reputation and is one of the outstanding collections of Maine artwork. I've always particularly admired Marsden Hartley's "Mt. Katahdin In Winter" and John Marin's "Cape Split Maine, Seashore and Trees."

And, of course, like everyone else, I was struck by the Museum's extraordinary setting. I remember thinking that it might be tricky to balance the beauty of the building and its surroundings with the beauty of the artwork: How to get visitors to focus on the artwork, when the view is so amazing? I'm working on that now.

Another very strong first impression was the enthusiasm of the board and museum volunteers. It was truly infectious. Everyone here is so excited about the Museum and its possibilities. So am I.

And what are some of those possibilities?

R.C.: Well, first off, the Gift Shop has huge potential as a vehicle for artists and craftsmen to show and sell their work. That is going to be a perfect way to get local creative people involved, to make the Museum more of a vital, living part of the community. We plan to expand it both in physical size and in its scope of function. We'll have a featured artist each month, openings, special sales, guest artists and speakers.

And that will be just a small part of our drive to reach out to the community. We are making a strong effort to involve the business community, and to that end I've had some great meetings with the York and Ogunquit Chambers of Commerce.

What new directions do you have planned for the Museum?

R.C.: I am very excited about showing our Permanent Collection more. It's really something to be proud of. You know, it is an extraordinary collection of work, and at the same time it's a unique and priceless link to Ogunquit's past. Henry Strater collected so many early pieces and gave them to the museum way back at the beginning. I'd like to have part of the Permanent Collection on display at all times. From that standpoint, the Museum has always been about contemporary art. I'd like to continue and expand on that concept by balancing the exhibition schedule with traditional and contemporary art.

And, speaking of our collection, I look forward to a few new acquisitions as well. It would be great to expand our Hartley and Marin collections with a drawing or two. There is such a rich history of well-known artists who lived or worked in Maine, and those who currently do, that it is easy to name some that we would like to be represented in our collection. But keep in mind, we are a museum of American art, so all of that area is open to us too.

What are your favorite artworks from the Permanent Collection?

R.C.: Well, there are many, many, beautiful pieces here. But, as I said, I've always been partial to that Hartley and the Marin. Did you know that Marin was a gift from the artist to the Museum? That is something very special. And now that I've gotten to know it, Charles Burchfield's huge watercolor, "North Wind in March," is right up there on my list. As is Wolf Kahn's "Barns." I could go on and on. What aspects of your previous work have helped to create the person you are now?

I've been a museum professional for over twenty years, with experience in management, art history and studio art. I try to use a solid business model to run a museum, but I am also an artist. I've been making art for 30-some years, so I have real empathy for the working and emerging artist.

Anything else you want people to know?

R.C.: Just be sure to tell everyone that I am thrilled to be here in Ogunquit. And that I welcome them all to come in to the Museum. I'm sure visitors will notice a lot of changes happening in and around the Museum, but for all the changes, there will be many constants as well. We are putting together a Hartley show this summer and an exhibition from the permanent collection, so a lot of familiar work will be up. We are also curating a show of permanent collection works for the Portsmouth Athenaeum this summer, so there will be a lot of chances to see the OMAA collection in the area... see you at the Museum!

March 2, 2009:
Press Release: Ogunquit Museum of American Art Announces New Director

The Board of Directors announced today that Ron Crusan has been named Director of the Ogunquit Museum of American Art.

With over 20 years of senior arts management experience, Crusan comes to the OMAA from the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London, Connecticut, where as Executive Director and CEO / Chief Curator of Exhibitions and Collections he oversaw the successful restoration and revitalization of the Museum following its separation from Connecticut College. Prior to his tenure at Lyman Allyn, Crusan spent six years as Executive Director and CEO and Curator of Exhibitions and Collections at the Danforth Museum in Framingham, MA.

In addition to his role as Executive Director, Crusan has provided professional leadership to a variety of art projects and organizations. He has been the president of the Connecticut Art Trail and the Consortium of New England Community Museums, an AAM Accreditation Peer Reviewer and a juror for numerous art exhibitions. Crusan also has been an active member of local task forces, Rotary Clubs and served on various Boards of other organizations.

In accepting the position, Crusan stated, “It is an honor to join the OMAA Museum at this momentous time in its long history. The Museum is well respected in the museum community for its important permanent collection, its beauty, and its historical connection to the Ogunquit art colony. We have an important role to play nationally relative to Maine art and the Ogunquit art colony, but equally important is our mission to bring the very best in American art to the local communities we serve. It’s an exciting time, and I am pleased to be a part of achieving that mission.”

The Ogunquit Museum of American Art will open for its 56th season on July 1st, 2009.