March 11

Colby to give away Langlais art, save artist's estate

By Bob Keyes bkeyes@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

(Continued from page 1)

click image to enlarge

The late Maine artist Bernard Langlais at his Cushing estate, surrounded by some of his sculptures.

Contributed photo

Some of those pieces will be removed, conserved and distributed to institutions. Others will be left to "go back to the earth from whence they came," Corwin said. "The expectation should be that we are creating a site in the name of Blackie and Helen that these sculptures will be a part of. But they do not have an infinite life. We are not saving these works forever and ever. That would be an unrealistic expectation."

Some museums that own Langlais pieces are conserving them. For instance, the Ogunquit Museum of American Art has engaged a project to conserve several large pieces.

The park will include an informational kiosk and a series of trails and paths to lead visitors from one sculpture to the next. It is too soon to say how many sculptures will remain when the park opens.

The house where Langlais lived is not part of the project, Corwin said.

The Kohler Foundation has begun placing his art in museums, colleges and other public institutions. Because of the volume that remains, Kohler is interested in giving away as much of it as possible. The foundation is soliciting requests, said Kohler's Executive Director Terri Yoho.

"If there are entities in Maine or beyond that have an interest in taking on some of the pieces of art for their collections, we would entertain a phone call or email," she said.

Nonprofit organizations with an interest in the work and the ability to care for it should contact the Kohler Foundation through its website, kohlerfoundation.org.

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