Name/Title
The Big Pavilion and Coral Gables by John PolkaEntry/Object ID
2021.14.01Description
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.Artwork Details
Medium
OilSubject
The Big Pavilion and Coral GablesSubject Person
Polka, John 1930-2006Subject Place
* Untyped Subject Place
Kalamazoo LakeCollection
Artworks, 1909 Big Pavilion -1960Cataloged By
Slusar, LindaAcquisition
Accession
2021.14Source or Donor
Kutzel, KenAcquisition Method
DonationNotes
Donation by Ken Kutzel from the estate of Jane Van DisMade/Created
Artist
Polka, John 1930-2006Lexicon
Search Terms
The Big Pavilion, Coral Gables, Kalamazoo RiverLocation
Shelf
AC bay 19Room
Art Conservation RoomCondition
Overall Condition
Very GoodRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
220 Water/Coral Gables/Hotel Saugatuck/Columbia Hotel/Leiendecker's Inn, Big Pavilion 1909-1960Exhibition
Curator’s Choice ExhibitInterpretative Labels
Label
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: 2021.14.01Label
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: 2021.14.01Create Date
March 24, 2021Update Date
June 21, 2025
