Public Art tribute to Rockwell Kent, Dr. George Angell

PLATTSBURGH | A light breeze scattered spray from the fountain on SUNY Plattsburgh's Hawkins Pond toward Hudson Hall, where muralist Brendon Palmer-Angell is painting a public art tribute to American artist Rockwell Kent. It also pays homage to his grandfather, former university president, the late Dr. George Angell. A 60-foot wall is emerging from its ordinary place on the park's edge, resplendent in bright hues of green and blue and light-layered gold. Known among great American painters for translucent landscapes, icebergs and seascapes in oil, Kent traveled extensively from a home base in Au Sable Forks on the farm he named Asgaard. The artist was a contemporary and friend of Palmer-Angell's grandfather, who led the university from 1954 to 1974 in transition from a teachers' training institute to a college of liberal arts and sciences. Dr. Angell played a foundational role in establishing the SUNY Plattsburgh Office of Alumni Affairs. Titled "North Country Dreams," the mural on campus was sponsored by alumni Tom '70 and Marie '72 Hermes. The mural's Kentesque perspective reflects Palmer-Angell's familial ties and places he cherished growing up here. "Mom was a friend of the Kents through my grandfather," he said. "I was young when my grandfather died, but we spent a lot of time at his summer place, we called it camp." Palmer-Angell has visited Asgaard Farm, restored by goat farmers and cheese makers David Brunner and Rhonda Butler. The artist recalled a Kidding Day adventure there several years ago, appreciating how Asgaard owners have preserved Kent's original art studio. Interpreting Kent's style has been a remarkable experience, Palmer-Angell said, painting colors layered with light. Available hues of spray paint set some limits, he noted, because they are not easily blended. "Kent's colors are so muted, they're jewel tones. When you try to replicate that with spray paint, it's a fun experiment. "The first half of the mural is inspired by Kent's painting, 'Clover Fields' looking toward Asgaard," Palmer-Angell told the Sun. "The second half is a view from my grandfather's camp from a lake, a surreal take on the Adirondacks," he said. "The two places are really only about 15 minutes apart." Altogether, the 60-foot mural on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus will use about 100 cans of spray paint and take nearly two weeks, start to finish. The mural commission has community connections close by. A large collection of Kent's work, including papers, prints, drawings and photographs, are held about a block from Hudson Hall at the Rockwell Kent Gallery in the university's Feinberg Library. In learning his craft, Palmer-Angell credits Rick Mikkelson, distinguished SUNY art professor emeritus, for the spark that turned his love of art into a profession. "Though I had created art my whole life, it wasn't until that year in drawing class with Rick Mikkelson that I became convinced I wanted to turn my passion into a career," he said in a SUNY announcement. KENT MURALS A champion of the working class, Kent, too, created public art. He painted two murals in 1937 for what was originally the U.S. Post Office headquarters, now the Clinton Federal Building in Washington, D.C. The 7 x 13.5 foot murals honor postal delivery services to far corners of the United States: "Mail Service in the Tropics" in Puerto Rico, and "Mail Service in the Arctic" in Alaska. In 1939, Kent painted a mural interpreting electricity for the General Electric Exhibit at the New York World's Fair. And in 1944, during World War II, he painted an arched mural "America at Peace" for the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. It is located in the Longworth House Office Building at the U.S. Capitol. Even in an uncertain time of war, his painting holds three words: "On Earth Peace" with four angels, arms linked to form cardinal points, illustrating freedoms of speech, religion, from want and from fear. UNIVERSITY VALUES SUNY Plattsburgh President Dr. Alexander Enyedi said North Country Dreams reflects everything that SUNY Plattsburgh values. "We are proud to partner with local artists to bring color and meaning to a space that symbolizes shared purpose and regional progress," he said. "Public art tells a story, and this piece tells ours. "As SUNY Plattsburgh continues to grow as a regional anchor institution, we are committed to celebrating the artists, communities, and histories that shape our identity." Palmer-Angell said Enyedi has stopped by with a friendly "hello" from time to time to admire the emerging work of art. North Country Dreams is the 21st mural coordinated by Outside Art in Plattsburgh with financial support local business owners, individual donors, patrons and artists. Palmer-Angell has painted four of the murals, including The Poets, on Bridge Street, completed in June to honor Plattsburgh's sister poets Lucretia and Margaret Davidson. Outside Art Co-Founders Amy Guglielmo and Julia Devine have built an innovative pathway for public art that reflects the way community works together and communicates. "The space (for North Country Dream) was chosen to share and affirm the university's support for creative partnerships and its deep pride in being a public institution grounded in this region," Guglielmo said in the announcement from PSU. She said their support is "a meaningful example of commitment to the North Country by highlighting local artists, celebrating public art, and enriching the campus environment in ways that reflect both its values and community roots." Collaboration with Outside Art, Enyedi said, "reflects our strategic vision to elevate SUNY Plattsburgh as a place of belonging, creativity and public service. "The mural will welcome all who pass by with a visible reminder of who we are and what we stand for." To see more of Brendon Palmer-Angell's work: brendonart.com To find out more about the SUNY Plattsburgh Foundation: https://alumni.plattsburgh.edu To learn more about the Kent Collection at Feinberg Library: library.plattsburgh.edu/home To see images of North Country Dreams progress, visit Outside Art via Facebook: facebook.com/outsideartplattsburgh

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Public Art tribute to Rockwell Kent, Dr. George Angell

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