Wolf Family Donates Art Object to Langlais Sculpture Preserve

Georges River Land Trust was recently gifted a unique art object from the Wolf family, a colorful vest designed by Bernard Langlais in 1976 for William “Billy” Wolf, the Wolf family patriarch. It was unveiled at the Langlais Sculpture Preserve in Cushing, and is now on display in Bernard Langlais’ studio, which is open for tours most summer weekends.

GRLT’s Director of Conservation Annette Naegel, who facilitated the donation from the Wolf family, reached out to Linda Cortwright, founder and publisher of Wild Fibers Magazine, to try and establish some additional history about the piece. We know that it was made to commemorate America’s bicentennial in 1976, and that it was created through the technique of rug-hooking. It is unknown who actually made it.

The Wolf family further provided for a museum-quality case to be designed and constructed to house the item for display. Andy White of Hope built the case, including a torso constructed of scraps of wood reminiscent of Bernard Langlais’ own artistic style.

The vest is available for viewing at the Langlais Sculpture Preserve in Cushing on most weekends in the summer. Please call the Land Trust at 207-594-5166 for additional information, or if you have any information about who may have made the vest.