Earl Cunningham was a seaman through and through. Borne in maine near a harbor, his love of the ocean was only natural, and grew stronger as he worked at sea on carrier ships. His paintings reflect his deep sentiments towards the seas that take up so much of our planet. As a self taught artist, the amount of natural he possesses is incredible, with a unique ability to meld reality with fantasy, depicting actual landscapes that he has occupied in his lifetime in the form of technicolour, psychedelic versions of themselves. Picture hot pink skies and fire-engine red rivers, his contemporary folk art style of painting depict the world how we all wish it were, filled with the vibrancy and zest of life.

Michael and Marilyn Mennello so appreciated his work that they have assembled the largest collections of his work in this museum. It has branched out to become an exhibition for all American artists big and small, celebrating their creativity and talent. Another fascinating collection of art that exemplifies the museum’s image is the steel with red paint collection by Albert Paley. He hones in on the precise moment when steel becomes malleable under the flame, twisting and molding them to become symbolic and metaphorical pieces of art. If you like the sound of this, pay them a visit for more innovative and unusual art work created by the best of American artists.