Artists Emerge at Hygienic in Collection of Dr. Clement E. Marks, Jr.

It's unusual enough in this day and age for established artists, let alone young, emerging artists, to have the good fortune to find patrons. But Dr. Clement E. Marks, Jr., was one of those rare individuals who made it his mission to support, mentor, and collect the works of lesser-known but certainly not lesser-talented artists from southeastern Connecticut. A clinical professor of medicine at New York University (NYU) School of Medicine and attending physician at NYU Langone Medical Center, Marks was an avid art collector whose collection included the works of emerging artists from Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts and the Golden Street Gallery and Hygienic Art Galleries of New London. He was also a collector of antiques and a novice architect. Marks died on

March 16, 2009 of pancreatic cancer in his Chester home. He was 72 years old. One of his wishes was to share with the public the emerging artists' portion of his collection, which is currently on view in a special presentation at Hygienic Art through Saturday, Sept. 4. A percentage of proceeds of sales of artwork will benefit the Hygienic Art High School Scholarship fund, established in 2008 with the Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut.

The show features many familiar regional artists with more than 100 pieces by about 40 artists, mostly dating from 1997 to 2009.

"With New London's always-emerging art scene, it made perfect sense to show Clement's emerging artist collection at Hygienic Art," says Kat Murphy, the gallery's curator.

"My artwork is also part of the collection, so I had the pleasure of knowing Clement," she adds. "He was very intuitive and his interpretations he shared about my artwork were inspiring. He 'got it' and he was not only a great supporter of the arts, he was engaging and he supported the artists in many more ways than the collection can tell."

Gregory Bowerman of Old Lyme, an artist and art teacher at The Williams School in New London, became friends with Marks when he graduated from Lyme Academy in 2001. Bowerman had just opened the Golden Street Gallery-a venue for emerging artists' work-that closed in February and is now a working studio he shares with Murphy. Both artists' works are in the exhibit.

"Dr. Marks basically became a sponsor," Bowerman says. "He had been an art collector his whole life and was interested in people. He was really in tune with the creative spirit in a person and would bring it out to its full potential.

"He was a sponsor in many more ways than just financially," Bowerman adds, agreeing with Murphy. "He'd inspire you to keep going with your work. He inspired people in the medical profession, as well as in the arts profession. He loved people, young people, and seeing them grow."

What's most interesting about this show, Bowerman says, is that "it's so eclectic."

He points out that Marks was drawn to works that were thought-provoking and that show a sense of humor, which is demonstrated in the collection.

"It really brings up the question, 'What is art?' It really broaches that on many different levels," he says.

Bowerman explains that Marks selected the works for the exhibit soon before he died.

"He wanted to share it with the public," Bowerman says. "He wanted people to see artists out there who were extremely talented and needed encouragement. He wanted to share this fantastic collection of emerging artwork."

And by presenting the collection to the public and donating a portion of proceeds to a scholarship fund that supports young emerging artists who are planning to go to art school, "we can still keep his vision and his memory alive," Bowerman says.

From the Collection of Dr. Clement E. Marks, Jr. is on view at the Hygienic Art Galleries, 83 Bank Street, New London, through Saturday, Sept. 4. Also featured at the Hygienic is an exhibition of works by Czech Republic artists Katia Jirankova Levanti (oil paintings) and Jiri Salamoun (lithographs) and a selection of Czech works from the collection of Marks. Hygienic Art is open Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 3 p.m. For more information, call 860-443-8001 or visit www.hygienic.ning.com.