The New Hope Colony Foundation for the Arts introduces a first-of-its-kind exhibit showcasing the work of Morgan Colt (1876-1926) funded, in part, by a grant from the Bucks County Tourism Grant Program.
“We are very grateful to Bucks County Tourism Grant Program for their support of the New Hope Colony Foundation for the Arts’ goal to continue promoting this as an important destination,” said architect Brett Webber, founder and president of the foundation. “This is the second grant that we have been awarded from them, and this support emphasizes the importance of showcasing the historic artistic significance of the life and work of members of the New Hope Art Colony in Bucks County.”
Presenting another unique look into the local art and architectural history of Phillips’ Mill, the exhibit will present never-before-seen artifacts that showcase the Bucks County cultural landscape through Colt’s eyes. It will include architecture, landscape, painting, and decorative arts at the colony. A prolific architect, artist and craftsman, Colt followed the founders of the colony to Phillips’ Mill and acquired land and outbuildings from Colony founder, William L. Lathrop (to) create his vision of an English Village.
Through his architectural design and building craft, Colt ultimately left his mark by giving form to an idealized version of the New Hope Art Colony, the birthplace of Pennsylvania Impressionism, by refashioning ruins of an old farm into a new cohesive architectural expression. Here, he established his residence, painting studio and his Gothic Shoppes, where he created and sold furniture and metal works of his own design. In this new exhibit, The foundation will present the life and work of Morgan Colt, along with tours of his work.
The New Hope Colony Foundation for the Arts was created in 2018. Its intention is to help save, preserve, restore, and reactivate the artist community of the New Hope Colony at Phillips’ Mill. Webber and co-Founder and Vice President Eleanor Miller, a member of the R.A.D. Miller family who resides in the colony, collaborated to conceive of this new membership-based nonprofit.
The vision is to create programs and a live-work residency in New Hope as part of a driving force to preserve the architecture and landscape of the original colony. Joined by fellow artists, patrons, philanthropists and friends of the arts, Webber and Miller assembled a board to propel this idea forward into a vibrant new cultural institution with programs, exhibitions, and artist residencies, in a site which incorporates 18th, 19th and 20th century architecture and landscape.
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