Edwin Dickinson from the Permanent Collection

Edwin Dickinson is synonymous with the Provincetown Art Association and Museum.

Edwin Dickinson (1891-1978) was a founding member, officer, and life-long supporter of the Museum and its functions. Provincetown was beloved by the artist; it’s where he honed his craft, raised his family, suffered tragedy and loss, all while producing some of his most important work: the now-iconic still-lifes, landscapes, and interiors. He was one of the only artists to live here year-round in the early 1900s.

As the art world changed in the early 1900s, Dickinson was a pioneer, moving from more traditional work toward the abstract; this shift caused a major rift among artists in Provincetown, yet Dickinson was able to persuade his fellow colleagues of the advantages of these changes. This is reflective in the differing styles of painting he created throughout his career.

His legacy spans a century resulting in a significant body of work which reflects the differing styles created in response to the changing art world.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website