Lyme Art Association Celebrates Charles A. Platt, Artist And Architect

OLD LYME, CONN. - The Lyme Art Association (LAA) will present a special exhibition entitled "A Place for Art: Charles A. Platt, Architect of the Lyme Art Association Gallery," October 28-December 3. The show celebrates the life and works of Platt, a prominent artist and architect of the early Twentieth Century. The exhibition will present paintings, etchings, and photographs of Platt's work on loan from museum holdings, private collections, and the Smithsonian Institution. There will be a public opening reception on October 28 at the gallery, from 6 to 8 pm.

In addition to the Lyme Art Association Gallery, Platt was noted for his design of major art institutions such as the Freer Gallery in Washington, D.C., and The Lyman Allyn Museum in New London, Conn.

The LAA was incorporated as the Lyme Art Association on July 13, 1914. For the building site, Florence Griswold sold the land next to her Old Lyme mansion for one dollar. Platt volunteered to design the gallery, but due to labor and materials shortages of World War I, construction was delayed until 1920. Platt incorporated the shingle style of New England in his building exterior design, and created large, sky lit galleries with cove ceilings, a centered arched entrance, and solid facade that echo his national museum designs. When it opened in 1921, The New York Times described the Lyme Art Association Gallery as "an embodiment of art in harmony with its natural surroundings."

"The Etcher" a major oil painting by Platt, will be a highlight of the exhibition. "This canvas," states Jeanne Ledoux-Stewart, curator of the exhibition, "was included in the Paris Salon of 1895. Amazingly, it was Platt's first attempt at the figure in oil and is considered one of his masterpieces."

On Thursday evening, November 17, at 7 pm, James Atkinson, will discuss Platt and his connection with Augustus St Gaudens and other artists of the Cornish, N.H., art colony. Jared Edwards, a noted Connecticut architect, will discuss the development of museum design on Sunday, November 20, at 4 pm at the LAA. Both events are open to the public.

"Platt was truly a 'Renaissance man' in his command of so many artistic endeavors," states Bob Potter, executive director of the association. "This exhibition not only shows his range of talents, but underscores the architectural and historic importance of the Lyme Art Association Gallery that he designed."

The Lyme Art Association is in the heart of the Old Lyme Historic District at 90 Lyme Street, just off I-95 Exit 70. For information, 860-434-7802 or lymeartassociation.org.