Detour
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Artists” and writerstWhere the Art Is
Thehistorybu ,theavidreaderand
Artists’ and writers” ’ theartloverhavenumerousoptionsto
residences yield explorethelivesoftheirfavoriteauthors
glimpses of their andartists,frombiographiesandmass-
inspirations marketcollectionstomuseumexhibitions
and even the occasional staged reading.
BY PAUL GAITA Butfewexperienceshavetheimmediate
andall-encompassingimpactofstepping
into the houses that these figures called
home for part or all of their lives.
Unlikemanyprofessions,thecreation
of art can be an intensely personal undertaking, requiring not only talent but also
the proper atmosphere in which one can
summon inspiration and find shelter from
distractions, both external and internal.
Few places foster such an atmosphere as
much as one’s own home, which makes
a visit to an artist’s residence a distinctly
unique opportunity to explore the most
intimate details of the creative process.
The Northeast Corridor is rich in such
historical dwellings; among the legendary
figures who spent either their formative
or their most productive years in the
region are Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,
Robert Frost, Carson McCullers, Herman
Melville, Louise Nevelson, E.A. Whistler,
Jackson Pollock, Nathaniel Hawthorne—
the list goes on and on. Here are five of the
more unique artists’ and writers’ homes
awaiting travelers.
THE EDWARD HOPPER HOUSE ART CENTER
Nyack, N. Y.
Painter Edward Hopper, whose watercolors have become an indelible part of
America’s cultural iconography, was born and raised in this Queen Anne-style
house, and his experiences there and in Nyack had a lasting impact on his work.
The house fell into ruin just prior to his death in 1967, but a nonprofit committee
restored the residence in 1971 and it was added to the National Registry of
Historic Places in 2000. Although none of Hopper’s artwork is on display in the
house, several of the rooms that were originally featured are intact. The house’s
greatest attractions are the regularly featured exhibits about Hopper’s life and
work, and the Art Center has created a legacy as a community cultural center and
gallery for upcoming artists. The upstairs rooms are devoted to private studios,
while workshops, jazz and poetry performances, and other events showcase the
center’s dedication to commemorating Hopper’s life and fostering the next generation of talent.
82 N. Broadway, Nyack, N. Y. • 845-358-0774 • hopperhouse.org
