At Northshore we know how wonderful the coastal town of Rockport is with its art galleries, oceanfront strolls, and lobster shacks, but we do not pick favorites when it comes to naming the North Shore’s most iconic town. However, National Geographic recently did just that by naming Rockport as New England’s most iconic town. Their July 2 article explains, “this coastal town, on America’s northeastern most point on Cape Ann, is the inspiration behind the quintessential New England pictured in romantic seaside paintings and postcards.”
The article talks about Rockport’s influence in art history naming artist Fitz Henry Lane, whose harbor paintings helped Rockport become an art hub in the mid-19th century. “The cape’s granite ledges, fishing shacks, and crashing waves bathed in golden light have attracted artists since the late 19th-century. Here, 46 miles northeast of Boston, they lived shoulder to shoulder with fishers, quarry workers, and boat builders. Before long, their artworks established an enduring vision of New England,” details the article.
In current day, a visit to the Bearskin Neck section of Rockport allows for a plethora of art galleries to explore. The Rockport Art Association & Museum runs educational programs including The Cape Ann Summer School of Art, juried art shows, and art exhibitions.
Rockport is often associated for its famous Motif No. 1 – the the iconic red fishing shack with multi-colored buoys sitting on a granite wharf in the harbor. Visitors line up from many different vantage points to get a selfie with building, and many artists have spent hours sketching and painting this landmark.