I first met Pat Shultz in my interview for the job of Executive Director at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM) in June of 2001. She was intimidating behind her tortoise shell glasses and drilled me about where I would find housing in Provincetown in the summer if I were to be offered the job. Luckily, I had done my homework and I knew that she owned one of the most successful real estate offices in town. I brazenly told her that since she was a realtor, I expected her to help me find somewhere to live. She paused for what seemed to be a very long time and said, “I like you.” That interaction became the beginning of a very important friendship with Pat and her partner Lenore Ross. Pat and Lenore lived in Provincetown for decades running successful businesses, supporting many non-profits and promoting the arts. 

Lenore’s brother, Alvin Ross, taught at Pratt Institute and the New School for Social Research, but spent much of his time in Provincetown. He served as President of PAAM in the early 70s, just before he was diagnosed with cancer — he died at age 55, leaving behind an important body of work that has gained national attention.

It is fitting that PAAM celebrate the centennial of Alvin Ross (1920–1975) by mounting a major exhibition on view from September 18–November 15, 2020. Drawing from PAAM’s permanent collection and over 20 private collections, the show will focus on Ross’ small still lifes, landscapes and figures. The still lifes feature kitchen objects and food, paper bags, etc. Although the subject matter is consistently domestic and recognizable, there is an air of surrealism that emanates from these small, but powerful compositions — nostalgic in nature, yet no sentimental attachment is evident.

James Bakker and Steven Roderick have played a pivotal role in bringing this exhibition to the forefront—

 I extend my deepest appreciation to them and the private collectors whose generosity in lending these works has brought the project to fruition with beauty and elegance for our audiences. An exhibition of this scale requires many levels of funding, and we are extremely grateful to the funders who enthusiastically helped to support the catalogue, especially Jack Krumholz and Marjorie Jacoby.

Thank you to Jean Wilcox, who produced a beautiful and inventive catalogue design. I would be remiss if I did not thank Pat Shultz and Lenore Ross for gifting over 40 of Alvin’s paintings to PAAM, helping to endow the Lenore Ross Student Curating Program at PAAM, and affording us the opportunity to name the renovated wing after Alvin Ross. 

The Alvin Ross exhibition, along with its publication and accompanying programs, has also benefited greatly from the dedication of the PAAM staff. To them, I would like to extend my warmest thanks, especially Seth Abrahamson, Bill Rigby, and James Zimmerman.

Christine McCarthy
Chief Executive Officer
Provincetown Art Association and Museum
March 2020