Seascapes, Waterways and Norwalk’s Working Harbor
hese works depict in various styles the fascination of Long Island Sound as a place of, community, recreation, relaxation, or simply a place to appreciate natural beauty. One-third of Norwalk’s 36 square miles is comprised of water. Man has always been attracted to the oceans as a source of nourishment for the body and soul. Since the early 19th century Norwalk’s oyster industry provided an income for many local fishermen.
Norwalk’s harbor and various waterways have provided inspiration for countless artists, from its lighthouses and islands to its intimate coves. These works, created from the 1890s to 1990s, by artists who lived or worked in Norwalk, attest to their natural scenic beauty.
The slightly humorous work by James Flora, Norwalk Condensed, Historic South Norwalk 62, incorporates a fanciful view of landmarks such as the Maritime Aquarium, harbor, boats, islands and hot air balloons, from a bird’s eye view. Flora was an author and illustrator who is best known as the artist who developed the concept of providing imagery on jazz and classical album covers in the 1940s.
Brechin Morgan, best known for his murals in South Norwalk, created a slender panoramic view of the water 66 with the green seashore jutting out of the water.
Felicia Doughty Kingsbury, an architectural historian, created the plans in 1964 for a renovation of the Town Hall building where this exhibit was installed. Her small colored pencil work depicts Wilson Cove 71, the same site of Charles Wrenn’s work 69. Nearby the Roton Point Dock and a steamship 65 are the subject of Edwin Murray MacKay’s work.
