Estate of Mel Stark

Mel Stark (b. 1903) was a leading figure in the art history of eastern Pennsylvania. He was a painter, organizer and teacher. Like his associate, Walter Baum (b. 1884), he helped to create and enrich the fine arts community in the Allentown area. And at the same time, Stark was also considered one of the ten leading painters at the summer art colony of Rockport, Massachusetts. As an artist, Stark worked in the plein air (outdoor landscape painting) tradition, and spent his time chronicling the beauty of the rural Pennsylvania countryside and the wharves of New England. He wished to keep the tradition of Impressionist landscape painting alive by passing it on to others through his teaching at the Kline-Baum Art School, Cedar Crest and Muhlenberg Colleges, all in the Allentown area. But by the 1960's, people began to loose interest in a style of landscape painting that had come to be seen as overly traditional. Too bad Stark did not live long enough to see the resurgence of interest in American Impressionism, and particularly in the Pennsylvania and Rockport Schools!

Stark had become acquainted with Philip and Muriel Berman, leading collectors and philanthropists in the Allentown area. Actually, Muriel had taken one of Stark's oil painting classes at the Kline-Baum School. The Starks and Bermans socialized together, and Stark helped them in their collecting by bringing them to the studios of other Pennsylvania artists, including Redfield's at Center Bridge. The Bermans became the most significant patrons of Stark's work, acquiring many paintings (20 of which are in the current exhibition) when visiting his studios in Pennsylvania, Rockport and Florida over a long period. Although some Stark works display some modern tendencies, he never faltered from his dedication to the Impressionist style, and he never played with abstraction or expressionistic paint handling. While on his way back from Rockport, Stark died at Allentown on October 28, 1987. In recent years, the art public has come to reconsider artists- even some from the very recent past. Stark should no longer be dismissed as being too traditional, as the public may come to appreciate both radical artists and artists who preserved a valid plein air tradition.

Tom Folk is the representative for the Estate of Mel Stark

For Sale

	Mel Stark, Rockport, Massachusetts. Oil on masonite, 16x20 in. Provenance: recent acquisition from a southern collector. Artist's autoportrait on reverse:
	Mel Stark, Boats at Dock, oil on board, 16 x 20
	Mel Stark, Purple Sky, oil on canvas, 24 x 30 inches

Previously Sold

	Mel Stark, Puddles in Street, Rockport, MA. Oil on canvas, 24x30 in. Provenance: recent acquisition from a southern collector.
	Mel Stark, Red Fish House, Rockport, MA. Oil on artist board, 22x28 in, period frame. Provenance: recent acquisition from a southern collector.
	Mel Stark, Puddles in Street, Rockport, MA. Oil on canvas, 24x30 in. Provenance: recent acquisition from a southern collector.
	Mel Stark, Cortez Harbor Fla. Oil on masonite, 24 in x 30 in. Provenance: Muriel and Phil Berman Collection.
	Mel Stark, Red Fish House, Rockport, MA. Oil on artist board, 22x28 in, period frame. Provenance: recent acquisition from a southern collector.
	Mel Stark, Coming In New Bedfrod, Mass, oil on canvas, 25 x 30
	Mel Stark, December in the Poconos, oil on board, 20 x 30
	Mel Stark, Longboat Key, oil on canvas, 24 x 30
	Mel Stark, White Boat, oil on canvas board, 20 x 24
	Mel Stark, Fairhaven, Mass, Philip Berman Collection, oil on board, 8 x 10
	Mel Stark, Harbour Scene, water color, 30 x 36
	Mel Stark, Grey House, oil on board, 16 x 20 inches
	Mel Stark, Early Morning, oil on board, exhibited at Rockport Art Assoication, 24 x 30 inches
	Mel Stark, Lehigh Scene, oil on board, 12 x 16 inches
	Mel Stark, New Bedford, oil on canvas, 25 x 30
	Mel Stark, Dock Scene, oil on board, 12 x 16 inches
	Mel Stark, Brook, oil on board, 12 x 16 inches, framed
	Mel Stark, City View, oil on canvas, 20 x 24 inches
	Mel Stark, Brook, oil on board, 12 x 16 inches, framed
	Mel Stark, City View, oil on canvas, 20 x 24 inches
	Mel Stark, Road With Barn and House, oil on artist board, 20 x 24 inches
	Mel Stark, River Scene, oil on board, 16 x 20 inches
	Mel Stark, Country Road, oil on board, 24 x 30 inches
	Mel Stark, Old Mill, Albertus, oil on board, 20 x 24 inches
	Mel Stark, Barnyard, oil on board, 25 x 30 inches
	Mel Stark, Road With Barn and House, oil on artist board, 20 x 24 inches
	Mel Stark, River Scene, oil on board, 16 x 20 inches
	Mel Stark, Country Road, oil on board, 24 x 30 inches
	Mel Stark, Old Mill, Albertus, oil on board, 20 x 24 inches
	Mel Stark, Barnyard, oil on board, 25 x 30 inches
	Vermont, oil on board, 16 x 20 inches