The Higbee Exhibit at the Dutot

The Antoine Dutot Museum and Gallery in Delaware Water Gap, PA held an Artist’s Reception for their final exhibition of the 2013 season on Saturday October 19th titled, “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt.” The exhibit featured the work of Allen Higbee and was designed to pay tribute to the outstanding talents of the artist who passed away in 2010. The colorful nature of his paintings and the striking aspects of his sculptures added a deeper understanding of the artist by those who knew him and a new inward perspective among those who did not. The work presented in the exhibit was a delight to the eye and heart as the intricacies and colors were enjoyed by the modest number of people who ventured into the gallery.

The images depicted in Mr. Higbee’s work depicted elements of the natural world such as animals and scenic vitas along with various modes of aquatic transportation. The entirety of the work suggests the desire to expand one’s horizons by gently sailing off to discover one’s true nature. Viewers of the paintings and sculptures presented in the gallery are invited to come along on this journey so they could see themselves reflected through the eyes of the artist and gain a new understanding of who they are. A variety of styles and creative approaches embodied in the work allows each person to experience his/her adventure differently while reaching a shoreline of which every grain of sand can be shared in communion with one another.

The beauty and depth of Mr. Higbee’s work appeals to our better nature and allows its life affirming force to encompass us as we explore the intricacies of each piece. It is often noticed an artist’s work sometimes become more of a value to many after his/her departure from this Earthly plane. This does not mean the work had no or little value during the artist’s lifetime but something of the artist becomes an otherworldly part of the work once he/she has left their corporal form. One could feel something while experiencing Mr. Higbee’s work while walking through the gallery. Was he there among those who visited the gallery? Some may be uncertain. But, to many, the answer lies beyond a reasonable doubt. You’ll find more photographs taken during the Artist’s Reception in The Dutot 2013 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151703218890421.1073741837.636000420&type=1.

Allen Higbee was born in Millville, NJ on August 7th in 1920. He studied Chemical Engineering and worked on the Manhattan Project in 1941 which led to the development of the Atom Bomb that was dropped on Japan in 1945. In 1942, he was married and soon drafted into the military to serve in the 489th bomb group of the 8th Army Air Force who led the air campaign over Nazi controlled areas throughout Europe.

After the war, Mr. Higbee became a chemical engineer and received several patents for his work with block and graft polymers of nylon. He later retired and became creatively influenced by the Hawaiian culture and began sculpting figures reflecting their approach to life. He later began painting ships, seascapes, and landscape which won numerous awards for many of the 700 paintings he created during his lifetime. Allen Higbee died on February 24th in 2010 from pneumonia.

The Antoine Dutot Museum and Gallery originated as a brick school house built c. 1850 by Antoine Dutot who founded the town of Dutotsville before it was renamed to Delaware Water Gap, PA. In addition to the exhibitions presented at the gallery, the museum offers tours and educational opportunities for those who would like to learn more about the area. As mentioned earlier, the current exhibition titled, “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt” featuring the work of Allen Higbee was the final one for their 2013 season and officially ended on Sunday October 20th. However, the work will remain in the gallery and can be viewed for an undetermined amount of time by Appointment which can be obtained by calling 570-476-0138. The first exhibit for the gallery’s 2014 season has yet to be determined. Please Explore The Antoine Dutot Museum and Gallery Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/DutotMuseumAndGallery?fref=ts for more information.