HOULTON, Maine — A unique gift from artist Scott Brooker was presented to the town of Houlton on Aug. 14.
Brooker presented several paintings to be placed within the town office, chamber of commerce, Southern Aroostook Historical Art Museum and Cary Library.
SPREADING THE LOVE OF ART — Artist Scott Brooker recently donated several paintings (displayed in front) to the town of Houlton. At the presentation are, from left, Jane Torres, executive director of the Houlton Chamber of Commerce; Brooker; Houlton Town Manager Eugene Conlogue; Mariah Brooker; Lori Weston, community and economic developer for Houlton and Linda Faucher, librarian at Cary Library.
Brooker, a native of Houlton and Bridgewater, now resides in Bath.
Brooker said he was “surrounded by art and my love for it came natural.” A relative of the Spellmans of Houlton, Brooker noted many in the family drew pictures.
“My Aunt Pat would make me peanut butter and crackers and we would draw when I was small and she was a teenager,” he recalled.
Each painting he presented to the town holds a special sentiment, especially the World War II and potato house images.
“You see, I don’t want anyone to forget a 24-year-old boy who served his country and died for it,” he said. “And, the potato house for me means family and Houlton.”
Brooker never wants to see the young farm boys of Houlton and America ever forgotten.
“I was thinking about family,” he said when painting the World War II scene. Robert Earl Spellman was killed during D-Day, two hours after his transport.
Brooker works in basically all mediums from oil, pastel, acrylic, watercolor, ink, pencil, tempera, enamel, wood to silk-screening and ceramic painting. He just doesn’t use charcoal. He is also dabbles in various expressions of photography.
“I am in the business of creating art that I love and sharing it with those who can afford it or those who cannot,” he said.
Some people may say Brooker is outdated and most say he is foolish. But, he wants everyone to have a piece of original work of art in their home.
“Everything I have created will live on past me,” he added.
Brooker has also donated his paintings to the Bath Fire Department, Mid-Coast Doctors and Nurses, as well as to veteran homes. But, those given to Houlton tied Brooker back to his heritage.
“I consider the people of Houlton, family,” he said. “Bridgewater was my mother’s hometown and uncle’s and aunt on her side. Bridgewater may not be very big and to many not very important, but for some of us, it is big and important, too.”
Brooker’s donation was a chance for him to “merely share my God-given gift,” he added. It is to also let those in the town know no matter where someone may move, Houlton stays with that person.
“Houlton is family, yes, but it is also a connection to the place and its people,” Brooker said.
Though Brooker and his wife, Mariah, have been dealing with health issues, they made a special trip to the Shiretown to drop off the paintings.
“It was written a very long time ago: “You can return to the place of your birth, but you can never go home again.” It is and isn’t true,” explained Brooker. “We spent time and money to do this and we both have serious health issues.
“That is how much it meant to me to do this and my wife, as well. Put it into words? I can’t. Some things you just feel inside and know you must do it.”
Brooker noted that both Houlton and Bridgewater have talented individuals; and his love of music and drawing came straight from his family roots.
“My grandfather Spellman, [uncles] Gene Spellman and, very much so, Fred Spellman brought the love of music into my world from the beginning,” he said. “Back then, music was after supper or whenever the feeling came on. Art was sitting at a table drawing. Most took it for just something they did. It was no big thing. Many don’t do this kind of stuff in other places.”
Brooker said art is who and what he is.
“I create because I love it and love sharing what I create with those who also will have years of enjoyment and pleasure from it,” he said.
Though his work was not chosen to be displayed in the Guggenheim, he was in the top 25 finalists in April 2012. The Guggenheim has 181 Fellows out of 3,000 applicants.
“That was a major event in my life. I used to walk past there and the Whitney and dream of someday them seeing my work,” said Brooker. “Now what I am about to share is truly the truth. After thinking it over and not sleeping well this is what I have come to realize … It means more to me that Houlton and the people of Houlton see and enjoy my work.
“To sum it up is to define the word home — one’s place of residence, house — Nah, not for me. It means a place and a people you know are home.”
