MARINE ART London was always the site of the annual show until 1980, when renovations forced relocation to the Mall Gallery. Throughout its history, the RSMA has benefitted from association with the Art Exhibitions Bureau, now the Federation of British Artists, a centralized national agency which actively promotes and exhibits all forms of art. Artists membership in the RSMA is granted by invitation of other artists members only, and has never exceeded fifty. The organization has found a broad pool of support in its lay membership of over 500 enthusiasts throughout Great Britain. Since artists membership is so exclusive, lay artists are often given the op¡portunity to participate in annual exhibitions in London. The exhibition organized for Mystic Seaport Museum Stores is exceptional for all the artists participating are members entitled to use the initials RSMA. This pioneering venture across the Atlantic will afford American collectors, artists and maritime historians the best perspective on contemporary British marine art ever available here. .t
European fishermen have worked on the Newfoundland banks for many centuries, moslly longlining for cod, and for much of this time from small dories launched at sea from a mother ship. It was a life of extreme hardship and continua/ danger from fog combined with surface currents and the uncertain weather. "Grand Banks Dorymen," oil, 23x31 by David Cobb.
Storming along in a quartering gale, the medium clipper Seminole closes with the land and begins to shorten sail. She was a product of Maxton & Fish's yard at Mystic and was noted for her happy combination of speed and power-qualities which inspire this view of the ship. She was launched in 1865, put info the Cape Horn lrade, !hen sold 10 Wes/ Coasl owners and finally hulked al Adelaide around 1901. "The Seminole in Soundings," acrylic, 20x30 by Mark R. Myers.