Waterbury Mechanic Unearths Multi-Million-Dollar Art Treasure, Showcasing City's Artistic HeritageIn a story that perfectly encapsulates Waterbury's long-standing love affair with the arts, local auto mechanic Jared Whipple has stumbled upon a collection of artworks potentially worth millions. This serendipitous discovery not only highlights the city's knack for nurturing artistic talent but also reinforces Waterbury's reputation as a hidden gem in the art world. The tale begins in September 2017, when Whipple, a proud Waterburian, received a call about an abandoned barn house in nearby Watertown. The barn was filled with large canvases featuring bold, colorful displays of car parts - a subject matter that resonated with Whipple's mechanical background and Waterbury's industrial heritage. Upon arriving at the site, Whipple found the artworks discarded in a dumpster, narrowly escaping a trip to the landfill. This rescue mission echoes Waterbury's long-standing tradition of preserving and celebrating art, as exemplified by the beloved Mattatuck Museum, affectionately known to locals as "the Matt." After four years of painstaking research, Whipple identified the artist as Francis Mattson Hines, a name that might ring bells for art enthusiasts in Waterbury and beyond. Hines, while not a Waterbury native, shares the city's penchant for bold, innovative art. His most famous work, wrapping the Washington Square Arch in fabric, mirrors Waterbury's own history of transforming industrial elements into art. The Mattatuck Museum, a cornerstone of Waterbury's art scene, has shown great interest in Hines' work, recognizing its significance in the broader context of 20th and 21st-century art. This aligns perfectly with the museum's mission to celebrate and preserve important artistic contributions. Whipple has partnered with the Hollis Taggart gallery to showcase Hines' work in both Southport, Connecticut, and New York City, New York. However, true to Waterbury's community-oriented spirit, he's also exploring options to display some pieces locally, possibly at "the Matt" or other Waterbury venues, to share this artistic treasure with his fellow citizens. Art curator Peter Hastings Falk estimates the collection's value in the millions, with individual pieces ranging from $4,500 to $22,000. This valuation not only represents a personal windfall for Whipple but also underscores Waterbury's potential as a hub for discovering and appreciating high-value art. At the bare minimum, the find is worth a quarter of a million dollars; a more realistic extimate is about $5,000,000. While the financial aspect is noteworthy, Whipple's primary goal aligns with Waterbury's longstanding commitment to the arts. He aims to establish Francis Hines as a significant artist of the 20th and 21st centuries, a mission that resonates with Waterbury's own efforts to highlight its rich artistic legacy. This remarkable story serves as a testament to Waterbury's deep-rooted appreciation for the arts, from the industrial-inspired works of Hines to the city's beloved Mattatuck Museum. It reminds us that in Waterbury, artistic treasures can be found in the most unexpected places, waiting for a discerning eye to uncover their true value. This article is powered by RUBI, an EXO AI assistant. 
|
Resources
Waterbury Arts
|
