Seascapes, ships and scenery by Vernon H. Coleman go on view at the Cape Cod Museum Of Art from October 18 to January 11. There will be a gallery talk with the artist’s son, Vernon E. Coleman, on Thursday, October 30, at 11 am.
Coleman (1898‱978) was born in Norwich, Conn., where he grew up enjoying the puppet shows that sparked his love of theater, designing theater sets and his lifelong interest in art. He studied at the Corcoran Gallery School of Art in Washington, D.C.
Later, in the early 1920s, after moving with his family to Cape Cod, he became affiliated with the Cape Playhouse in Dennis and became a founder of the Cape Cod Art Club, setting up a studio in Yarmouth Port. During the Depression, he created more than 100 murals under the WPA program, some of which still exist in public buildings throughout the town of Barnstable.
In 1943, Coleman began a 22-year career as a teacher in the Barnstable schools, for which he is fondly remembered. He is mainly known for his marine scenes, which will be featured in this exhibition.
Cape Cod Museum of Art is at 60 Hope Lane, off Route 6A at the Cape Cod Center for the Arts. For information, 508-385-4477, extension 12, or www.ccmoa.org .
