Fishing Shanty

Painting

-

Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society

Oil painting of the fishing shanty

Oil painting of the fishing shanty

Name/Title

Fishing Shanty

Entry/Object ID

2021.06.01

Tags

Collecting the Art Coast

Description

Representational landscape of a weathered, gray fish shanty with docks, shed and net reel, all beside the Kalamazoo River.

Type of Painting

Panel

Artwork Details

Medium

Oil

Subject

Saugatuck fishing shanty and net reel

Collection

Nautical, 1845 Fishing, commercial, Artworks

Cataloged By

Winthers, Sally

Acquisition

Accession

2021.06

Source or Donor

Demerest, David 1953-, Hebert, Marilyn, Demerest, Marvin Eugene "Demmy" 1928-2020

Acquisition Method

Donation

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Signature

Location

lower right corner

Transcription

Ken Bore or Ken Bure

Dimensions

Height

12 in

Width

14 in

Location

Shelf

AC bay 22 small works

Room

Art Conservation Room

Interpretative Labels

Label

From "Collecting the Lakeshore" 2025-2026 at the History Center main floor gallery Ken Bore dates unknown Saugatuck Fishing Shanty circa 1930-1940 | oil on canvas This enigmatic painting depicts a common vernacular landscape of commercial fishing along the Kalamazoo River in the 1930s and 1940s. Signed by artist Ken Bore (or Bure) the subject was a common one for artists studying in Saugatuck at one of several art schools operating here. The artist created a painterly landscape with a wooden, gable-roofed, and weathered gray fish shanty. The painting also shows docks, shed, and net reel, all important working features for commercial fishing. The painting came from the Demerest family and may depict the family’s fishing operation when it was located on Culver Street in the 1930s. Marvin ‘Demmy’ Demerest (1928-2020) worked as one of the last fishermen in Saugatuck and owned the shanty located on Water Street since the 1940s. With the site threatened by high waters in the summer of 2020, the family worked with the SDHC to find a new home for the fishing structure and ensure its preservation. The painting came to the History Center for care and display at part of that effort. Gift from David Demerest and Marilyn Hebert in memory of Marvin ‘Demmy’ Demerest. Accession 2021.06.01

General Notes

Note

No marks on back. Masonite panel held in 1" wood frame by nails.

Note Type

Historical Note

Note

According to David Demerest, the painting depicts the Demerest shanty when it was at the Sewers fishery by Culver Street. According to Marilyn Hebert, the painting never hung in the Demerest shanty -- the place was too wet with fish guts and scales everywhere. Demmy was given the painting, mostly likely from Rube Sewers. According to Erwin (Bud) Sewers, the shanty was most like moved "during World War II" when the Sewers brothers split the business because of some dispute. This would suggest the painting was created prior to the 1940s.

Create Date

February 17, 2021

Update Date

September 15, 2026