Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum will host
Artwork of Benton and Matt Clark, an exhibit that will
feature the artwork of two nationally known artists and
illustrators. This display of paintings and illustrations opens
May 20 and continues through July 30. On May 1, the Museum
begins summer hours, 12:00 – 5:00 daily. Admission is $3 for
adults and $2 for children.
Coshocton was the birthplace of these two
brothers in 1895 and 1903. Benton and Matt lived on N. Second
Street, spent their primary years at the old Sycamore Street
School, attended the local high school and, from here, went on
to study art in New York and Chicago. The brothers, then,
shared studio space in Greenwich Village, and in 1941, each
bought a farm in Bucks County, PA where they maintained
studios. Later in life, Matt returned to New York City, and
Benton came back to Coshocton.
The illustration work of the brothers
appeared in many prestigious publications of the era such as,
Blue Book, Colliers, Cosmopolitan, Liberty, McCall’s, Saturday
Evening Post. Besides magazine illustration and cover art,
Benton designed calendars, postcards, and murals. He also
worked for Metro Golden Mayer and for William Randolph Hearst.
He is well known for his depictions of life in the Old West.
Matt, also capitalized on the booming magazine market, and
specialized in illustration of historical and adventure books.
Some of his most popular work appears in Northwest Passage
by Kenneth Roberts.
Although many paintings by the Clark
brothers are in museums and private collections throughout the
country, much of Benton and Matt’s original art has remained in,
or found its way back to the Coshocton community. The Museum is
grateful to the many area residents for the loan of their
treasured pieces. Drop in to the Museum, and view these works
as a body. Some never exhibited publicly, all special to
members of our community, the exhibit comprises a unique look at
the works of Benton and Matt Clark.
The exhibition of Artwork of Benton &
Matt Clark is made possible through sponsorship from Ohio
Heritage Bank. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program
and organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic
growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all
Ohioans.
