Long-time Member Donates Home to Non-profit
Mystic Museum of Art begins its Centennial year with its largest donation in the organization’s history: the home of long-time Elected Artist and Charles Davis Society member, Harvey Fuller. The property, with its beautiful views of the Mystic River, will eventually house artists for a new artist-in-residence program coordinated by Mystic Museum of Art.
The residency will attract artists from all over to Mystic and will also be used as an extension of MMoA’s classes, exhibitions, and programs. “It has long been part of our mission to offer an artist-in-residence program and give artists the opportunity to hone their skills and focus on their passion,” says Executive Director, Karen Barthelson. “We are so grateful because Harvey’s generous gift is the first step in fulfilling that goal.”
The residency will also bring the mission of the Society of Mystic Artists – MMoA’s founding members – full circle. Mystic’s landscape inspired many notable artists in the early 20th century, including MMoA’s founder Charles Davis, to settle in the region. Once here, they created opportunities for local artists to exhibit their work and learn, eventually leading to the 1931 construction of the Mystic Museum of Art on Water Street, where it still stands today.
“This gift is in keeping with the original goals of our early artists who were inspired by the beauty of the region,” says Barthelson. “The artists of today, whether representational or abstract, similarly fall in love and MMoA looks forward to encouraging artists in whichever path they choose.
The two-story Fuller home, nestled between tall evergreens, was built in 1857 and has a detached studio space on the property. Mystic Museum of Art hopes the tranquil riverside views, as seen from the home’s front porch and large bay windows will be inspirational to artists of all kinds.
Harvey, who has been an Elected Artist member since 1949, joined the Charles Davis Society in 2000. The Charles Davis Society distinguishes members who make tax-deductible, planned gift arrangements to Mystic Museum of Art in the form of money, stock or property.
MMoA, which uses the tagline “100 years 100 more”, considers this gift a way for the organization to stay engaged with Mystic’s arts community, and provide new ways for both established and emerging artists to create and display their work to the public.
