Author Talk with Patrick Vanden Berghe

In this talk, Belgian author Patrick Vanden Berghe (Head Librarian at the Public Library of Pittem and co-founder the Historical Society of Oostkamp) discusses the life and work of Valentin Henneman, a Belgian-born painter, and ice sculptor.
During a stay in Boston, Henneman met Asa G. Randall, a painter, and art teacher who was looking to start an art colony along the coast of Maine!In 1906 Randall and Henneman founded the Commonwealth Art Colony in Boothbay Harbor…

This talk will discuss this fascinating artist’s life and work, but also facts that were only recently unearthed, such as inventions by Henneman and his preoccupations with his native Belgium during World War I.

This talk draws back on more than 10 years of continuous research which led me and my wife to Bangor and Boothbay Harbor. We were able to find Valentin’s grave and our research led to the discovery of an unknown painting at the Zillman Art Museum in Bangor. MORE HERE