Celebration of Life

Last evening my parents, Eon and I went to the VFW CLUB in Milton for the Celebration of Winslow Andersons life.

Hearing the gentlemen and ladies who are regulars at the VFW speak about the Winslow they knew, the keen wit, the wealth of knowledge about all subjects, his ability to engage one into conversation. They repeated stories he had told them of his adventures in New York City, traveling with his boat and life. Listening to this group I discovered the answer to the question: Why did Winslow return to Milton? Answer: It was home, his home, his friends, people who allowed him to be himself and who loved him.

The Mr. Anderson I knew always seemed larger than life, I was always a bit frightened in his presence, yet he was always very gentle and patiently answered my many questions. I never understood why he returned to Milton. He would always say something that I heard as "Hillary, after you grow older and travel, you will understand the need to live near your friends and the family you make." Tonight I met Winslows extended family, his friends and his reason for

returning to Milton.

During one of my visits to Milton, Winslow and I met for lunch. He said " I was a very handsome young man, you would have thought so Hillary." I told him, I thought he looked very handsome even today. He insisted on taking us back to his cottage to view a lifesize painting of himself- a very handsome young man indeed.

In my last visit with him he spoke fondly of Milton, the Polan family, Mr. Blenko, the "collectors", his own mother, and of young Rick's wife bringing food for him. Winslows this day would move back in forth in time at a rapid pace. Winslow loved life and I don't think he feared death. When I once said I'll be home in September and I'll come by. He quickly stated: "I may or maybe here." Then smiled.

Winslow Anderson was a great artist, a wonderful friend to many, a patriotic man, a kind and gentle man. I wish I had known him longer and better.

Damon Crain, curator of the BLENKO MUSEUM sent the following tribute to Winslow Anderson.

A tribute to Winslow Anderson, a great and unique talent who just passed away peacefully this Monday, December 10.

Winslow was a force to be reckoned with, an enormously talented and visionary glass designer who brought modern design and a new aesthetic to American hand blown glass through his work with the Blenko Glass Company as its first resident designer. If you are not familiar with Winslow’s biography or his work, please do take a look at his history on this page of the Blenko Museum’s website:
http://www.blenkomuseum.org/anderson.htm
http://www.blenkomuseum.org/andersongallery.htm

On a personal note, from the many hours and days I have spent chatting with Winslow, visiting with him in his home, I can attest that he was a truly marvelous and charismatic person. My first impression was of an eccentric, intelligent and brusque person who would not mince words. But I quickly learned that there was much more than that. He was a complex man who I suggest can be seen as bridging a dramatic moment in our culture’s history and appropriately full of contradictions; gracious yet forthright, modest yet proud, social yet private, well rounded yet focused, and more oddly, a landlocked seafarer and a tremendously cultured man who chose to live out his life in a cultural speck of a town despite his great love for New York City, Haiti, and world travel.

May he rest in peace knowing that he had a great impact on our lives. The next time you look at a vase he designed in your collection, please think fondly of this man who has brought much beauty to this world and our lives.

Respectfully,
Damon Crain
Owner
Vintage Modern glasshouse
http://www.vmglasshouse.com/