Painting Captures Britt History

Posted Feb 03, 2012 at 12:27 PM in General, Classical, Pictures

Written by Angela Warren, Director of Performing Arts

When I first came to Britt I was captivated by stories of Peter Britt and the early pioneers of Table Rock City (Jacksonville). I was deeply moved by the story of John Trudeau’s dream and how a music festival came to life.

With each passing year, I’ve added to my collection of stories and developed great love and respect for all sorts of people who’ve used their gifts for the good of their community. Britt’s 50th is an opportunity to share some of their stories.

The story I’d like to tell here literally paints a picture. (If a picture paints a thousand words, can a thousand words paint a picture?)

In 1962, the same year that Britt’s founding conductor John Trudeau discovered Jacksonville, celebrated artist Eugene Bennett purchased the historic Eagle Brewery and Saloon just down the street from the Britt hill, and a very special half-century relationship began.

Eugene Bennett's many achievements are impressive and well-known. His work has been shown at the Brooklyn Museum, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the San Francisco Museum of Art and in Alba, Italy.

Born in Central Point in 1921, Eugene Bennett grew up in southern Oregon. He attended Washington Elementary School in Medford and credited his art teacher there as his first art mentor. A multi-gifted artist, Gene was also an accomplished musician, studying the piano from an early age.

Gene majored in music at the U of O, but his studies were interrupted by World War II. After a three-year stint in the Navy, he was discharged in 1946. By this time Gene had decided to forgo music as a career in favor of art, and through the G.I. bill he enrolled in the Art Institute of Chicago. After graduation he taught high school art just outside of Chicago and traveled extensively to Italy and France, but visits home made him homesick for Oregon and in 1958, he returned permanently to the Rogue Valley, living in West Medford.

In 1960, he became a founding member of the Rogue Gallery & Art Center in Medford. When Gene saw the old brewery and saloon building in Jacksonville, he knew he’d found a perfect artist’s home and studio. What he didn’t know was that his passion for music was about to be re-ignited.

As Gene was settling into life in Jacksonville, John Trudeau was busy persuading the whole community to host a music festival. In August of 1963, Gene discovered an orchestra in his backyard and his lifelong friendship with Britt began.

Inspired by the music being played on the Britt hill, Gene painted Britt Festival in 1963 during the Festival’s first summer concert season. The combination of great music, the camaraderie of fellow musicians, the beautiful natural setting and easy access just a short walk from his home led Gene to sketch and paint at Britt many times over the years.

Eugene Bennett stands next to the three
Britt posters that were made from his original works.

Photo by Rob Werfel.

In 1984 when Britt decided to create an annual Fine Arts Poster, Gene offered his 1980 painting Evening at Britt (a depiction of the orchestra on stage in the newly built permanent pavilion) as the first poster. In 1992 for Britt’s 30th anniversary, Gene allowed the Festival to use his 1963 Britt Festival as the poster. And in 1996, the Fine Arts Poster again featured Gene’s work—a 1991 sepia-toned oil of six Britt musicians called The Rehearsal.

Ever present at rehearsals and concerts, Gene looked forward to the return of the orchestra each August. Musicians got to know Gene and he often invited them to his studio to rehearse so that he could enjoy the music and sketch while they played. (Britt’s late founding conductor John Trudeau’s home in Portland is full of Bennett portraits of small groups of musicians rehearsing.)

When I visited Gene in November of 2008 to tell him of John’s death, he was very sad. As I sat in his kitchen over a cup of tea, he regaled me with stories of their five decades of friendship. I always enjoyed visits with Gene—the stories and a chance to see his paintings hung throughout the house and studio.

Gene had an unmatched personal charm and I treasured our friendship. We were kindred spirits. His brilliant mind, quick wit and passion for painting and music made him a perfect companion and we often talked for hours. As I discovered several of his paintings in community spaces around the valley, I told Gene of my encounters and began to visit the paintings like old friends.

As a violinist and 20-year Britt staffer, one of my favorites of Gene’s paintings was the large oil he painted of the Britt Orchestra in its first season back in 1963. It hung in his home for nearly 50 years and was a favorite of his too. I visited it often, marveling at how he’d captured the excitement and energy of a live orchestra. I could almost here the music.

When Gene died in November 2010, his will included a bequest to Britt. It took time for the estate to be settled, but the timing ended up being perfect. With his gift, I helped Britt purchase that 1963 painting and it now hangs in our administrative offices for all to see as a special tribute to our founding season 50 years ago. I look at it and think how lucky we are to have had an artist with a musician’s heart capture a picture of that first summer.

As Britt celebrates its 50th season, I’ll be celebrating the legacy of a special friendship and the dream come true of looking at Gene Bennett’s Britt Festival, 1963 every day.

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