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From “Keeping an Eye on History” at the OSH 2018
Orchard
Anne Corlett
pastel on paper, no date
the story | The expanse of Lake Michigan endows the West Michigan coastline with a surprising micro-climate that is especially hospitable to agriculture. In the 19th century, fruit growing, especially peaches, was the centerpiece of the Douglas economy with a large percentage of the village of Douglas dotted with hundreds of peach trees. Today peaches, apples, blueberries, and grapes are among the fruits grown commercially on the many orchards and farms still in operation in Allegan County.
the art | The orchard shown in Corlett’s painting typifies what one might see along the country roads that surround Saugatuck-Douglas.
the artist | Anne Corlett earned her B.F.A. from University of Wisconsin and continued her studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Royal Academy of Art in London, Kalamazoo Institute of Art, and Oxbow / Ox-Bow. While her studio is in Saugatuck, Corlett also travels extensively and has painted in locations across the United States. She describes her role as an artist as, “When painting, I take hold of the energy around me and focus it onto the canvas. This action celebrates existence.”
SDHC Collection, gift of Kenneth R. Carls and James A. Schmiechen
Accession number 2018.13.08Label Type
Object LabelLabel
The orchard shown in Corlett’s pastel typifies what one might see along the country roads that surround Saugatuck-Douglas in the late summer. The Lakeshore supports a micro-climate that is especially hospitable to fruit growing. Today peaches, apples, blueberries, and grapes are among the fruits grown commercially on the many orchards still in operation in Michigan’s Fruit Belt, continuing a tradition extending from the late 1800s. 
