A real-life setting off the coast of Maine that evokes feelings of “walking through a Wyeth painting” is now inspiring a new generation of artists and scientists.

A ribbon cutting recently debuted the 450-acre Allen Island that will host 10 years of Colby College student visits and research through a partnership with the Chadds Ford-based Wyeth family foundation, Up East, according to a Mainebiz report by Lori Valigra.

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“Since the time my mother, Betsy James Wyeth, formed Up East, it has been her goal to create opportunities for fishermen to interact with marine scientists, for archeologists to interact with historians, and to support the community and residents of the mid-coastal region of Maine,” third-generation painter Jamie Wyeth said. “The relationship with Colby promises to do all that and more.”

The creation of Allen Island’s living learning lab and working waterfront pays tribute to the artistic style and lifestyle of the Wyeths.

“One of the things that makes the Wyeths so interesting as a family is, even though all their work is world-renowned, they don’t have a precious bone in their body,” said consultant Philip Conkling. “They are respectful of traditional uses of resources and new technologies to keep the landscapes working. Their models and inspiration are people who work on the land and the sea. The Colby relationship is keeping Allen Island alive and not a museum.”

Read more about the unveiling of Allen Island on Mainebiz here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of the Wyeth family here.

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