The Harlem Renaissance at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jockey Club by Archibald J. Motley Jr

 

I would guess that when most people think of the Harlem Renaissance, they think of writers and musicians. The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism (through July 28), the current show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a reminder that there was also an abundance of artists producing paintings, sculpture and other examples of fine art.

 

Langston Hughes by Winold Reiss

James Weldon Johnson by Laura Wheeler Waring

This is probably the largest (160 pieces) and most comprehensive collection of works produced by African American artists of that era. It includes artists from across the United States, and many who were working in Europe. One thing that comes across is the wide variety of styles that was being produced.  From “primitive” to realist, from impressionist to cubist, the art here is as varied and as good as art that was being produced around the world.

The Photographer by Jacob Lawrence

Tea Time at Madame C. J. Walker's by James Van Der Zee

Cocktails by Archibald J. Motley Jr

The Pool Parlor by Jacob Lawrence

Nightlife by Archibald J. Motley Jr

Parade in Harlem by James Van Der Zee

Lift Every Voice and Sing (the Harp) by Augusta Savage

Poster for the first salon by the Société Des Artistes Antilles by Germaine Casse

 

Girl in Blue Dress by Samuel Joseph

Woman in Blue by William H Johnson

 

Building More Stately Mansions by Aaron Douglas

The Artist's Wife (L) and Self-Portrait (R) by Horace Pippin

W.E.B Du Boise by Winold Reiss

Fred Fripp by Winold Reiss

Mr. and Mrs. Barton by John N. Robinson

Mother and Daughter by Laura Wheeler Waring

Scottsboro Boys by Aaron Douglas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 days in Bar Harbor

Dawn at Bar Harbor

 

 

In 2019, the NewYork Times published one of its “what to do if you have a day and a half in…..” columns featuring Bar Harbor, Maine. So, on me recent visit, I once again used their column as inspiration, searching out its recommendations.

Bar Harbor Eating and Shopping

 

The Times suggested several places in town to eat and shop, and they were all great choices. Geddy’s offers a sports pub vibe, while serving great seafood and a wide variety of locally brewed beers. I had their lobster roll combo with clam chowder. The Wicked Maine Blueberry Ale was an excellent pairing.

Wicked Maine Blueberry Ale

Lobster Roll Combo

The Reading Room, at the Bar Harbor Inn, offers fine dining with a great view of Frenchman’s Bay. My meal started with warm challah bread and blueberry infused butter. The main course was seared scallops with potato hash. The scallops were perfectly cooked, and the potatoes were delicious.

Challah with Blueberry Butter

Scallops and Potato Hash

 

If you are looking for something to read, or a gift that is not a t-shirt, stop in to Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shop. They have a great selection covering local history, fiction by local authors, national best sellers and children’s literature. They also carry note and post cards, puzzles, and other Maine-made souvenirs.

 

The Cranberry Islands

Bouy Tree

If you want to get off of Mount Desert Island, there are some nice places to visit. Head to Northeast Harbor and take The Mail Boat to the Cranberry Islands. There are five islands in this township with a year-round population of about 160 people. The Mail Boat will take you to the biggest two islands - Great Cranberry Island and Little Cranberry Island. Each of these has a historical museum and hiking trails, and they offer great views of Acadia National Park across the water. Little Cranberry Island also is home to the Isleford Dock Restaurant, which offers a seafood menu with views of the fishing harbor and Acadia National Park. The mail boat runs four to six times a day, depending on the season, and costs $30 round trip.

Marina at Northeast Harbor

Marina at Northeast Harbor

The Mail Boat

Schoodic Point

 

Norris Island, Mosquito Harbor

Four miles due east of Bar Harbor, across Frenchman’s Bay, is the town of Winter Harbor on Schoodic Peninsula. This is where you will find one of the most fascinating parts of Acadia National Park - Schoodic Point. At the southern tip of the peninsula is a place where the granite rocks of Maine’s shore meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is famous for the shelf of granite that juts out into the water, and for the basalt dikes that have pushed up through the rocks. 

Getting to Schoodic Point is a 45 mile drive from Bar Harbor. However, during the summer there is a ferry that will take you directly across the bay, and a free shuttle bus around the peninsula.

Mount Desert Island, Maine

Frenchman's Bay from Bar Harbor

 

 There is more to see on Mount Desert Island than Acadia National Park. There are several small towns that have their own charm and attractions.

Bar Harbor

 

 

The largest town on Mount Desert Island is Bar Harbor. It is the gateway to Acadia and it is mostly a tourist town. In fact, it is the place that cruise ships stop when they visit the area. That being said, there are some excellent restaurants that stay open during the off-season. Vacationland Coffee Roasters was open early, serves a great cup of Java, and has a friendly staff. Ben and Bill’s Chocolate Emporium provides an amazing selection of ice cream flavors, including a lobster ice cream. Lunch Bar Harbor serves great sandwiches and a wonderful clam chowder. 

Northeast Harbor

 

The village of Northeast Harbor is a small enclave on Mount Desert Island. It is the summer home of members of the Rockefeller family, and many of Philadelphia’s rich and famous. The Salt Market offers great coffee and pastries, and the Milk and Honey Kitchen has an excellent selection of sandwiches for lunch.

 

Seal Cove Auto Museum

1910 Piece Arrow

On the western side of the island is the Seal Cove Auto Museum. Richard Cushing Paine Jr. was a local doctor, and the son of local business owners. He collected classic cars during his life. In 1963 he created a museum to protect, care for, and grow the collection. Today, the museum houses around 200 cars and other motor vehicles, focusing on the era from 1895-1925, when cars were known for their brass decorations.

1904 Pope Hartford

1910 White

1916 Saxon Model 14

1909 Corbin

1904 Knox

1912 Maxwell Mascotte

Maine Granite Industry Historical Society

This small museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the mining and production of granite in Maine, and on Mount Desert Island in particular. There are two large rooms whose walls filled with historic photos and newspaper articles. Here there are displays of the tools used to quarry granite, to cut it to size and to polish it. There are also samples of stone from the many different quarries on the island. A third room serves as a workshop where demonstrations and classes are held.

Quarry Tools

Carving Guide for the Seal of New York City

Map of Quarries on Mount Desert Island

Finished and Unfinished samples of Granite

Acadia National Park is certainly the main draw on Mount Desert Island, but there is a lot more to do and see once your are there. So come to Maine and enjoy your time there.