Art Exhibit: Blake Hughes

During the month of January, 9am to 1pm weekdays, in the Gallery of the lower meetinghouse at The First Religious Society, 26 Pleasant Street, Newburyport, there will be an exhibit of the work of local artist, Blake Hughes. 

Blake’s early works were influenced by his favorite readings and his love of history.  Spending summers on the family farm in upstate New York also gave him many experiences to draw from. 

Blake attended The Art Students League of New York City where he studied with such renowned artists as Reginald Marsh, George Grosz, and Louis Bouche.  After returning from World War II Blake began a career as a commercial artist.  He became head artist of the art department of the packing company Arkell & Smith’s where he along with many other fine artists designed packaging bags and boxes.

With a growing family to support, Blake took on a new career with an advertising agency in Boston.  This is when the Hughes family moved to Newburyport.  It was not long before the surrounding beauties began to have an effect on Blake’s subjects for his art.

In 1972, with the help and support of his devoted wife Ruth, they began a rewarding career in the retail world.  For many years Ruth and Blake operated their store The Newburyport Printmaker on Inn Square.

Blake’s work may also be seen for the month of January at The Custom House Maritime Museum.

WHAT: Exhibit of artwork by Blake Hughes
WHEN: 9am to 1pm weekdays, during the month of January
WHERE: The gallery in the lower meetinghouse at the First Religious Society, 26 Pleasant Street,, Newburyport
COST: Free and open to the public