Oil

Saugatuck fishing shanty and net reel

2021.06

Demerest, David 1953-Hebert, MarilynDemerest, Marvin Eugene "Demmy" 1928-2020

Donation

Signature

lower right corner

Ken Bore or Ken Bure

12 in

14 in

From "Collecting the Lakeshore" 2025-2026 at the History Center main floor gallery Ken Bore dates unknown Saugatuck Fishing Shanty circa 1930-1940 | oil on canvas This enigmatic painting depicts a common vernacular landscape of commercial fishing along the Kalamazoo River in the 1930s and 1940s. Signed by artist Ken Bore (or Bure) the subject was a common one for artists studying in Saugatuck at one of several art schools operating here. The artist created a painterly landscape with a wooden, gable-roofed, and weathered gray fish shanty. The painting also shows docks, shed, and net reel, all important working features for commercial fishing. The painting came from the Demerest family and may depict the family’s fishing operation when it was located on Culver Street in the 1930s. Marvin ‘Demmy’ Demerest (1928-2020) worked as one of the last fishermen in Saugatuck and owned the shanty located on Water Street since the 1940s. With the site threatened by high waters in the summer of 2020, the family worked with the SDHC to find a new home for the fishing structure and ensure its preservation. The painting came to the History Center for care and display at part of that effort. Gift from David Demerest and Marilyn Hebert in memory of Marvin ‘Demmy’ Demerest. Accession 2021.06.01

No marks on back. Masonite panel held in 1" wood frame by nails.

Historical Note

According to David Demerest, the painting depicts the Demerest shanty when it was at the Sewers fishery by Culver Street. According to Marilyn Hebert, the painting never hung in the Demerest shanty -- the place was too wet with fish guts and scales everywhere. Demmy was given the painting, mostly likely from Rube Sewers. According to Erwin (Bud) Sewers, the shanty was most like moved "during World War II" when the Sewers brothers split the business because of some dispute. This would suggest the painting was created prior to the 1940s.