Cape Cod National Seashore to Host Frank Benson - The Artist of Nauset Marsh Program with Author Faith Andrews Bedford

Date: June 30, 2011
Contact: Sue Haley, District Interpretive Ranger, 508-255-3421

Frank Benson's paintings of early 20^th century society are some of America's most popular works of art. After a successful career as an impressionist artist, Benson turned his attention to painting scenes of fishing and waterfowl, many of which were painted in and around Nauset Marsh and other Eastham locales.

On Tuesday, July 5, author Faith Andrews Bedford will present an illustrated program about Mr. Benson and his art. The program will be at 7:00 PM at Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham. The program is free, accessible, and sponsored by Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Faith Andrews Bedford balances her love of writing about the satisfaction of rural life with her work as an art historian. Her initial research on Frank Benson became the biographical essay for a Benson retrospective at Manhattan's Berry-Hill Gallery.

This program is one in a series offered every Tuesday evening in July and August at Salt Pond.All of the programs are sponsored by Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore, which raises awareness of national seashore resources and issues; provides funds for important park projects; sponsors interpretive and educational programs that advance the understanding of park stories and resources; and carries out significant volunteer work, especially in the area of trail maintenance.

If you go: Salt Pond Visitor Center is located at the intersection of Route 6 and Nauset Road in Eastham and is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5 PM.The center includes a lobby with expansive views of Salt Pond, Nauset Marsh, and the Atlantic; a museum featuring the park's natural and cultural stories; staff to assist with trip planning, and a store with books, maps, puzzles, games, t-shirts, and 50th anniversary commemorative items. There are short films shown throughout the day. The Buttonbush and Nauset Marsh Trails, and the Nauset Bike Trail are located nearby. For more information on Cape Cod National Seashore programs call 508-255-3421, or check the park's website, www.nps.gov/caco.

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