Slater Museum in Norwich adds rare work to its Ellis Ruley collection

Norwich ― On the right-side wall of the Ellis Ruley exhibition at Slater Memorial Museum hangs an enlarged color photograph of the local folk artist selling his works on the lawn in front of the museum at a 1952 art show.

On Tuesday, Slater, located on the Norwich Free Academy campus, held a celebration to unveil its latest acquisition of an original Ruley painting ― one he initially sold to a woman at that Slater lawn show in 1952.

Of the only 63 known surviving Ruley paintings, only three of the African-American artist’s works depict Black subjects ― Ruley at times painted himself into the artworks with pale white skin.

One of the three is “Rice Picking Time,” the new centerpiece painting in the permanent Ruley exhibition in a second-floor alcove at Slater.

“This is one of the more culturally significant Ellis Ruley paintings,” Slater Museum Director Dayne Rugh said. “To my knowledge, this is only one of three that exist to depict African Americans, Black individuals. Ellis Ruley predominantly features scenes that are set in nature, themes that surround animals, humans and our relationship to the environment as well as our relationship to animals in the natural world.”

Rugh said it is unknown what inspired Ruley to paint the rice picking scene, which could have occurred down South.

“He was known to copy and emulate scenes from magazines and newspapers and books,” Rugh said. “So, it’s possible he could have done it that route, but we don’t really know for sure.”

The vertical painting, in signature Ruley style, features bright green bushes and one palm behind a rice field and two Black women. One bends over next to a basket, with only her yellow dress and head discernible. The second woman sits in the foreground, also in a yellow dress, wearing a broad-brimmed hat and gazing toward the other woman.

About 30 people, including members of the NFA Board of Trustees, NFA Foundation, City Council and legislators, applauded when Rugh removed the black cloth to unveil the painting, the first time it has been on public display.

Slater purchased the painting from Ruley enthusiast, author and documentarian Glenn Palmedo Smith of Arizona. Smith wrote a 1993 book on Ruley’s artwork, life and mysterious death in 1959. Ruley was found half frozen and dead, on a January morning at the base of his long driveway on Hammond Avenue.

Rugh said Smith purchased the painting from the daughter of the woman who had purchased it at the 1952 Slater art show.

The “Rice Picking Time” painting is not visible in the enlarged photo of the 1952 show.

Slater has the distinction of being the museum with the largest collection of Ruley artworks, with six original paintings by the Norwich artist. The Smithsonian Institution has three Ruley paintings, the American Folk Art Museum in New York has four and the Amistad Center at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford has three, Rugh said.

Rugh did not disclose the purchase price. The museum used the NFA Foundation’s Slater Museum Acquisition and Conservation Fund to purchase the work.

Rugh said he had been in discussions with Smith for the past three years, expressing interest in the painting and any other surviving Ruley works.

Rugh told the gathering his goal is to see the Ruley exhibition outgrow the small alcove on the second floor of the museum. He has a larger room in mind if the museum can acquire more Ruley works.

Along with the six paintings, the exhibition contains panels containing a biography of Ruley, information about his home in Norwich, a bronze bust created by Smith and donated to the city and a display case featuring photos and artifacts.

“It just gratifies me beyond belief to see this exhibit grow in real time,” Rugh said.

Frank Manfredi and Shiela Hayes, co-chairs of the Norwich Ellis Ruley Committee that worked to create lasting tributes to the artist, gave credit to Smith for his passion for ensuring Ruley’s works are preserved and appreciated.

Among the city committee’s efforts was the creation of a memorial park at the former Ruley homestead at 28 Hammond Ave.

Hayes invited attendees at Tuesday’s unveiling to attend the Walktober walking tour of the Ellis Ruley Memorial Park at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Smith was not able to attend the unveiling Tuesday but sent comments read by Rugh.

“I can’t think of a better resting place for this Ruley than the Slater, or for any other Ruley,” Smith wrote. “A return back to home ... where nearly all of his known paintings ... sold.”

c.bessette@theday.com