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The Big Pavilion and Coral Gables by John Polka

Painting
An oil on canvas painting by John Polka, ca. 1965 depicting The Big Pavilion and Coral Gables in the background as viewed from the west side of the Kalamazoo River bank. A small sail boat is moored in the foreground. The overall tone is dark with the waters looking cold and deep as if an impending storm is on the horizon. The bright red reflection of the big pavilion in the waters of the river could possibly be a foreshadowing of events to come. The Big Pavilion was destroyed by fire on May 6, 1960. Painted around 1965.
The Big Pavillon and Coral Gables oil on canvas by John Polka ca. 1965; The Big Pavillon and Coral Gables oil on canvas by John Polka ca. 1965. 31” wide by 23” in height. Framed in heavy gold wooden frame.
The Big Pavilion and Coral Gable by John Polka; Closeup of “The Big Pavilion and Coral Gables” by John Polka Closeup of “The Big Pavilion and Coral Gables” by John Polka; Closeup of the view from the west shore of the Kalamazoo River

2021.14.01

Oil

The Big Pavilion and Coral Gables

Polka, John 1930-2006

Kalamazoo Lake

Artworks1909 Big Pavilion -1960

Slusar, Linda

Polka, John 1930-2006

The Big PavilionCoral GablesKalamazoo River

31 in

23 in

AC bay 19

Art Conservation Room

Very Good

Coral Gables/Hotel Saugatuck/Columbia Hotel/Leiendecker's InnBig Pavilion 1909-1960

Jane Van Dis talking about this painting at 56:32

Curator’s Choice Exhibit

John Polka c. 1930 - 2006 The Big Pavilion At Night 1965 | oil on canvas Notes: John Polka studied both in Europe and, later, at Ox-Bow. In the 1960s, he opened a studio in Saugatuck, where he taught and painted landscapes and portraits of people and animals. Polka did several versions of the Big Pavilion. This very moody view was painted five years after the pavilion burned. The viewer’s perception of the image changes as the light of the passing day moves across the room. The water seems to glow in front of the building capturing the lost splendor of Saugatuck’s great icon. Collection: Saugatuck Douglas History Center Gift of: Friends of the Art Collection Accession: 2021.14.01

John Polka c. 1930 - 2006 The Big Pavilion At Night 1965 | oil on canvas Notes: American born, John Polka was raised in Germany. He studied both in Europe and, later, at the Ox-Bow Summer School of Painting. In the 1960s, he opened a studio in Saugatuck, where he taught and painted landscapes and portraits of people and animals. Polka did several versions of the Big Pavilion. This very moody view was painted five years after the pavilion burned. The viewer’s perception of the image changes as the light of the passing day moves across the room. The water seems to glow in front of the building capturing the lost splendor of Saugatuck’s great icon. Collection: Saugatuck Douglas History Center Gift of: Friends of the Art Collection Accession: 2021.14.01

03/24/2021

09/02/2024