Where a Painter Travels for a Visual Feast

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May 1, 2008

Barbara Ernst Prey, 51, is best known for her American landscapes, but she gets ideas from all over the world.  “I’m never really on vacation,” the Long Island native says, “I’m always looking.”  Here, a few of her favorite places on Earth.

Port Clyde and Tenants Harbor, Maine

Why I go “The waterfronts along these charming fishing villages buzz with boats and lobstermen.  I love the spirit of the working harbor, from the water and buoys to the light and color.”

Don’t Leave Without “Taking in the sweeping view of the Atlantic from Marshall Point Lighthouse.  I also like to kayak up the coast, known for its rugged beauty.  Stop by Port Clyde Kayaks [portclydekayaks.com] for rentals.  If you’re up for a museum, go to the Blue Water Fine Arts Gallery [bluewaterfinearts.com]; I have an exhibit there this summer.”

Where to Stay “Try the East Wind Inn [rooms from $154 per night, eastwindinn.com], a waterfront property in Tenants Harbor.”

Where to Eat “I usually grab lunch at the Inn’s Chandlery Grill—their corn chowder is unrivaled.  Head to the Dip Net Restaurant [dipnetrestaurant.com] for fresh lobster.”

Rovinj, Croatia

Why I Go “I can spend hours admiring the pebbled beaches.  When I’m not relaxing by the water, I’m usually exploring the town on foot.  The winding streets are densely populated with pastel-colored houses, many with bright orange, red or yellow roofs and shutters.”

Don’t Leave Without “Visiting Saint Euphemia Church, which holds the sarcophagus of one of the city’s patron saints.  Legend has it that her stone coffin washed up on Rovinj’s shore after disappearing from Constantinople in AD 800.”

Where to Stay “Book a room overlooking the town square at the Hotel Adriatic [rooms from $128 a night, maistra.com].”

Where to Eat “For the local specialty, grilled scampi, make reservations at Restaurant Monte [monte.hr].”

Florence, Italy

Why I Go “I’ve never seen a city light up as beautifully as Florence at night.  I spend most evenings studying the luminescent architecture at the Piazza Santa Trinita or the Palazzo Vecchio.”

Don’t Leave Without “Touring the Museo di San Marco [polomuseale.firenze.it], where Fra Angelico’s famous frescoes live.”

Where to Stay “If you’re willing to splurge, stay at Villa San Michele [rooms from $1,020, villasanmichele.com], which offers a stunning view of the city.”

Where to Eat “Try the smoked goose breast at Taverna del Bronzino, once the studio of painter Santi di Tito.”

— as told to Patti Greco

Artist Barbara Ernst Prey has been confirmed by the US Senate to serve on the National Council on the Arts, an advisory body of the National Endowment for the Arts.  The confirmation follows her nomination by President Bush to serve on the council.  A visual artist who specializes in watercolor, Prey has work included in the collections of the Brooklyn Museum and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, as well as the Whit House.  Prey earned her undergraduate degree in art history from Williams College and her master’s degree from Harvard University.  She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation, enabling her to travel, study, work, and exhibit extensively in Europe and Asia.

The National Council on the Arts advises the NEA chairman on programs and policies.  Council members review and make recommendations to the chairman on grant applications, funding program guidelines, and national initiatives.  Members are chosen for their widely recognized knowledge of the arts, their expertise or profound interest in the arts, and their established record of distinguished service or achievement in the arts.  The council comprises fourteen private citizens and six ex-officio members of Congress.  Prey was confirmed to serve a full six year term until 2014.  She will replace outgoing council member Mark Hofflund, managing director of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival.  “Barbara Prey’s nomination continues our tradition of having prominent visual artists as members of the National Council on the Arts,” said NEA chairman Dana Gioia.  “We welcome her participation and counsel.”