If you’re familiar with Rhode Island, you’re probably familiar with the Wickford Art Festival. But are you familiar with the festival’s unofficial founder, John E. Huszer? As you know I am passionate about art and artists, and with a recent collection we’ve received at Bruneau and Co, I cannot pass up the opportunity to talk about this Rhode Island artist with such a crucial role in Rhode Island art history!
After studying at the National Academy of Design and the Art Students League of New York, John Huszer (1912-1983) moved to Rhode Island to live, teach, and create. He was known as an independent and reclusive artist, spending years dividing his time between a tiny island in Wickford Harbor and teaching from downtown Wickford. A man of small means, Huszer painted on newsprint because it was readily available; If you’ve got a sharp eye, you can even spot some vintage Rhode Island newspapers in the background of his work! In fact, the whole reason the Wickford Art Festival came to be is because he took to selling his paintings on the streets of Wickford in the 1950’s. Little did he know his business technique would become be wildly popular!
John’s selling success inspired other local artists to bring their work to the street, and in 1962 the Wickford Art Association officially established the Wickford Art Festival, which draws dozens of artists and hundreds of attendees to Wilson Park in Wickford every year. While he was a private man and didn’t intend it, John Huszer thus became known as the “Father” of the annual event. Can you believe (July 8-9) 2023 will mark the festival’s 60th anniversary!? If you’ve never been and you love art, you should definitely check it out.
John E. Huszer’s art came to us at the auction house through his family’s estate, and I’ve had an opportunity to view the bulk of his work. The paintings are bright and bold and vary in subject matter from scenic landscapes to nudes with plenty of variety to suit different tastes; Most include a “John E. Huszer Estate” stamp on the verso. We had a few cross the block in our last Fine Art Auction and the most popular piece depicted a snarling tiger crouching over a partially devoured woman – so when I say there is a John Huszer artwork to suit every taste, I’m not kidding! If you look carefully, you might recognize some Rhode Island landscapes since he was fond of painting the beauty surrounding him in our state!
Don’t worry if you missed out on this important Rhode Island artist’s work at auction, we’ve got more coming. If you’re interested in learning more, don’t hesitate to reach out at 401.533.9980!
