Robert Indiana's Maine Home Listed For $1.4 Million, Despite Artist's Will

(MENAFN- USA Art News) The foundation established by artist Robert Indiana has listed his longtime residence on Maine's Vinalhaven island for sale, contradicting instructions in his will that the property be converted into a public art space. The Star of Hope Foundation, which inherited Indiana's estate, this week put the 19th-century Odd Fellows lodge, known as the Star of Hope, on the market for $1.4 million, according to The New York Times. A second building owned by Indiana, located nearby, is being offered for $210,000.

Indiana, widely recognized for his“LOVE” series featuring the iconic tilted O, moved to Vinalhaven in 1978 and resided in the Star of Hope, a local landmark overlooking the island's harbor, for the subsequent 40 years. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 89. The artist had specific intentions for the building following his death; his will directed that the Star of Hope be restored“to museum quality” and function as an art environment accessible to the public for visits, classes, lectures, and the preservation and exhibition of his collection, as reported by The Times.

The foundation initially worked towards this goal, undertaking stabilization and partial renovations of the aging structure. However, it now asserts that its mission is better served by divesting from property management and allocating resources directly to artists and arts organizations within Maine.“These properties are not our purpose, supporting artists is,” said Carole Martin, the foundation's managing director, to The Times. She added that selling these properties enables them to“convert those assets into philanthropic capital and put resources directly into Maine's arts community.”

This decision has drawn criticism, with some arguing it disregards Indiana's explicit wishes. Kevin Lipson, a partner at Venable, the law firm that represented Indiana's estate in litigation, described the move to The Times as“a remarkable repudiation of Robert Indiana's testamentary intent.” Lipson further stated that Indiana“wanted and expected a museum of some sort on Vinalhaven and that apparently is not in the cards.” Marjorie Stratton, Vinalhaven's town manager, who had known Indiana personally, also questioned the foundation's choice. Speaking in a personal capacity, she recounted to The Times that Indiana had discussed using the building for art, education, and research, and providing a space for young people to work and learn about art.“It just makes me sad that this foundation doesn't seem to be following through with what he told me he wanted that to be,” Stratton commented.

The Star of Hope was in poor condition at the time of Indiana's death, with peeling paint, rotting clapboards, and a leaking roof covered by a tarp, according to The Times. While the foundation addressed some of these issues, repairing its Mansard roof and restoring windows and doors, current listing photographs depict an interior still in various states of disrepair, including peeling paint, exposed framing, and lath. The foundation stated that the building continues to present structural and regulatory challenges, and views the sale as a practical means to reallocate its resources.“We are one of many organizations trying to solve a hard problem, how to bring new life to a building that has sat empty for years,” Martin told The Times, concluding that selling the property while investing directly in local artists and organizations was“the most honest path forward.”

Not everyone on Vinalhaven opposes the sale. Elaine Crossman, who also knew Indiana and owns a motel and art gallery on the town's Main Street, informed The Times that the renovation had seemingly become an expensive quagmire. She expressed optimism that a new owner might return the building to active use, potentially reopening its first-floor storefronts.“I'm optimistic that this is actually a really positive move,” Crossman said.“My hope would be that this is a big step in the right direction for that group to be able to do some positive work in the community.”

Source: ARTnews

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