The Plattsburgh State Art Museum will host a mini symposium, “Creative Catalyst: Exploring Rockwell Kent’s Alaskan Adventure,” Thursday, April 6 and Friday, April 7, 2023. All related events are free and open to the public.

The mini symposium marks two days of engaging and invigorating activities in a celebration of inspiration and creativity. Discover the remarkable story of Rockwell Kent’s 1918 Alaskan adventure as you connect through art, storytelling, film screenings, and workshops – all while being inspired to pursue your true calling. Join us for this special occasion that honors the legacy of the Rockwell Kent Collection.

“Our goals with this event are to inspire, energize, and connect through art and storytelling. Share the story of Rockwell Kent’s 1918 Adventure in Alaska. Be an inspiration for attendees to pursue their true calling. Celebrate and bring awareness to the Rockwell Kent Collection,” said Eric Downs, mini symposium presenter.

At the age of 22, Rockwell Kent made the decision to pursue his dream of becoming a successful and respected artist. By the age of 36, his dream was on the edge of failure. In July of 1918, Kent took a risk; he left New York and journeyed to Alaska in search of solitude and a spark of inspiration.

Accompanied by his 8-year-old son, Kent settled on a remote island, where he was isolated and free to do his work. Father and son’s connection blossomed as they embraced the wilderness experience together. He befriended an old prospector, whose stories energized his pursuit. Kent braves the external elements and battles his inner turmoil. Surrounded by the quiet magnificence of Fox Island, Kent created the drawings and paintings that would change his life forever.

The art Rockwell Kent produced from his Alaskan Adventure garnered widespread attention and catapulted his career to national success. His journal from Fox Island became a bestselling book, “Wilderness.”

Schedule of Events:

Thursday, April 6

Walking Tour With Docents
1:30 – 2:15 p.m.
Rockwell Kent Gallery, Feinberg Library

Meet the Presenters:
2:30 – 3 p.m.
Yokum Hall 202

Virtual Option:

Click here to register in advance for Zoom webinar.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Doug Capra
Doug Capra is an author and historian living in Seward, Alaska. He is the foremost expert on Rockwell Kent’s 1918 Alaskan adventure and has written the forewords for two of Kent’s Alaska books, “Wilderness” (Wesleyan University Press) and “Northern Christmas.” He is currently writing a book titled “That Infinite and Unfathomable Thing: Rockwell Kent Alaska’s Wilderness,” and a full-length play, “And Now the World Again.”

Doug Capra. SUNY Plattsburgh Alumni and Friends website.

Eric Downs
Eric Downs is an independent filmmaker from Southcentral Alaska (with family roots in Northern New York), who is passionate about taking the audience on a journey and telling stories that inspire people to pursue their dreams. Eric’s film “A Dreamer’s Search” explores Rockwell Kent’s 1918 adventure on Fox Island, Alaska. The short film will be featured at film festivals throughout the country beginning in February 2023.

Eric Downs. SUNY Plattsburgh Alumni and Friends website.

Claudia McGehee
Claudia McGehee is an award-winning author and illustrator of 10 natural-history-themed picture books, including “My Wilderness, An Alaskan Adventure,” a historic fiction memoir based on Rockwell Kent and son, Rocky’s, time on Fox Island, Alaska. After happening upon Kent’s paintings, Claudia became inspired to share this captivating part of Kent’s life in picture book form. Claudia is a Pacific Northwest native who now lives in the Midwest, in Iowa City, Iowa.

Claudia McGehee. SUNY Plattsburgh Alumni and Friends website.

“The Turbulent Genesis of Rockwell Kent’s Wilderness”
Presented by Doug Capra
3 – 4 p.m.
Yokum Hall 202

“The Turbulent Genesis of Rockwell Kent’s Wilderness.” SUNY Plattsburgh Alumni and Friends website.
Presented by Doug Capra

Virtual Option:

Click here to register in advance for Zoom webinar.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Zoom webinar.

American artist Rockwell Kent’s 1920 inspirational classic, “Wilderness: A Journal of Quiet Adventure in Alaska,” tells only half the story. Hundreds of letters to and from him during that 1918-1919 moratorium on Fox Island in Resurrection Bay reveal a distressing subtext. A past, and a second, current, love affair are destroying his marriage. After 10 years of marriage, his wife, Kathleen, is no longer willing to tolerate his infidelity. The Great War’s patriotic fervor maddens him. The influenza epidemic alarms him as he battles storms, rough seas, and the fierce north wind. At mid-life, his art career is going nowhere. Kent struggles with his isolation, anxiety and depression, and uses that energy to produce stimulating art and an evocative and moving book.

“Wilderness: A Rockwell Kent’s Alaska Inspired Picture Book Making Adventure”
Presented by Claudia McGehee
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Yokum Hall 202

“Wilderness: A Rockwell Kent’s Alaska Inspired Picture Book Making Adventure”
Presented by Claudia McGehee. SUNY Plattsburgh Alumni and Friends website.

Virtual Option:

Click here to register in advance for Zoom webinar.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

In 2001, a museum exhibit encounter with Rockwell Kent’s painting “Father and Son” began a project journey for children’s book author/illustrator Claudia McGehee. After learning of Rockwell Kent’s 1918 trip to Alaska with his young son Rocky, McGehee was inspired to create a picture book about the Kents time on Fox Island, AK. Careful research over several years fueled both writing and illustrating, and culminated in “My Wilderness, An Alaskan Adventure” (Sasquatch Books, 2015). McGehee shares highlights of her creative process and Kent’s inspiration to her work.

A Dreamer’s Search film. SUNY Plattsburgh Alumni and Friends website.

Film Showcase
6 p.m.
Yokum Hall 202
Showcase of short student films;
Special preview screening of “A Dreamer’s Search” (29 min);
Q&A with filmmakers.

Reception
7:30 – 9 p.m.
Rockwell Kent Gallery, Feinberg Library
Hors d’oeuvres and wine.

Friday, April 7

Workshop: “Made From Scratch: A Scratchboard Mini Workshop”
Led by Claudia McGehee
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Yokum Hall 202

Workshop: “Made From Scratch: A Scratchboard Mini Workshop.” SUNY Plattsburgh Alumni and Friends website.
Led by Claudia McGehee

Scratchboard is an art medium known for its bold, graphic line and visual similarities to traditional printmaking images (like Rockwell Kent’s lithograph or wood engraving pieces). The process of scratchboarding however, is quite unique. Children’s book author/illustrator Claudia McGehee will share about creating her illustration practice around the art of scratchboard in an introductory presentation, followed by a mini-workshop. Workshop attendees will experience illustrating a scratchboard piece from pencil sketch to final scratch. Materials are available for up to 30 participants on a first-come, first-served basis.

Workshop: “Creative Connections Storytelling Workshop: The Artist Journey From Spark to Fire”
Led by Eric Downs
2 – 3 p.m.
Yokum Hall 202

How can storytelling be the guiding light on your journey? During this interactive workshop, filmmaker Eric Downs shares his experience turning a simple connection or concept into a piece of art that can be shared with the world. Participants are encouraged to bring their own stories, ideas and concepts to share and work with the group.

Wrap Up
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Yokum Hall 202

Photo at top: Alaskan art by Rockwell Kent. SUNY Plattsburgh Alumni and Friends website photo.