By Maureen O’Gorman
Rhode Island is well-known for two things: its vibrant arts and culture scene centered in Providence, and the unwillingness of its residents to drive over 20 minutes to go somewhere. The newly-opened Westerly Museum of American Impressionism (WMAI) hopes to challenge both of those ideas.
Several years in the making, the WMAI was the brainchild of local philanthropists, Thomas and Cynthia Sculco, who have turned their private endeavor of collecting art into a gift to their hometown and to all of Southern New England. Their collection of paintings makes up the core of the museum.
Impressionism as an artistic movement began in 1870s France. Many of the American artists who studied in France brought the style back with them and settled in artist colonies located in Connecticut and Massachusetts, eventually spreading nationwide. The Westerly museum reflects the Sculco’s interest in New England artists from the period of the 1880s to the 1920s. The style centers human perception to portray everyday life, often landscapes, using light and colors to convey meaning.
The museum’s collection contains more than the 150 pictures currently on display, and some additional ones not currently in the galleries will be rotated over time. The Sculcos are still adding to their personal collection, and the museum is open to donations from other collections if they align with the mission of the facility.
Motif spoke with the curator of the museum, Catherine Shotick, to get an impression of the new museum. She explained that the facility had been in the planning stages for several years, and she moved to Rhode Island in September 2023 to take on the role of opening the museum. Asked if the opening had lived up to expectations, she replied, “It has blown us away… we’ve had over 2,000 people come, and we’ve had over 400 memberships in our first month… The community’s enthusiasm for the museum has exceeded our expectations completely.”
What are the long-term goals and mission of the WMAI? Once past the opening months, Shotick and her team want to start a robust programming schedule and increase educational outreach, including school tours and possibly a lecture series.
Asked what she would personally regard as not-to-be-missed exhibits, she mused, ”There are so many, but I definitely have a few favorites and it changes every day. A favorite we have is this beautiful beach scene called ‘Good Harbor Beach’ by Louise Upton Brumback. It’s this big painting, probably almost six feet wide, of these beach-goers in their 1915 beach clothes and these big, beautiful umbrellas, bright blue sky. It really stops people in their tracks. So that’s one of my favorites and a visitor favorite, for sure.”
Are there any concerns about opening the facility so far from Providence? She answered, “I think we hope to be more of a bridge between communities. Westerly has such a bustling and growing arts community, with the theater and all types of activity happening. We just did a collaboration with the Rhode Island Ballet… We hope to help Providence and Westerly come together more.”
The Westerly Museum of American Impressionism is located at: 79 Watch Hill Rd, Westerly. Operating hours: Thursday through Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Advanced tickets suggested via wmairi.org.
Disclosure: Cynthia Sculco and Maureen O’Gorman, the author of this article, were both donors to the University of Rhode Island School of Nursing’s Capital Campaign.