By Lizabeth Jenkins-Dale
Phyllis and Dave Bigelow conduct their daily lives in a living museum that could be named, “The Bigelow Art Museum,” but they call it “home.” This lovely two-story home resides across the street from the beautiful St. Mary’s River on Lakeshore Drive. The Bigelows are delighted to share this living museum with you!
Just what is all this fuss about the Bigelow’s house? Phyllis and Dave, who are artists, display their work as well as others’ work throughout the house. It is filled with artwork of multiple types, from many local artists (both sides of the St. Mary’s River), and that depict scenes from all over the world. You’ll find Dave’s watercolors, pastels, and pen-and-ink drawings, Phyllis’ leaded glass and rug hooking pieces, and works from numerous other artists such as Tedi Selke, Maureen Mousley, Doug Hook, Carl Forslund, Ken Hatfield, Joan Muckelbauer, Grace Dubow, Pat Norton, Tom and Kate Marshall, Gene Usimaki, Jeanne Tubman, and John Keast. Just about every wall, shelf, and floor boasts several drawings, rugs, pottery pieces, cross-stitch pieces, leaded glass pieces, watercolors, pastels, or pen-and-ink drawings. There is even an iron headboard in the guest room made by local blacksmith, Bill Morrison, as well as two miniature homes in the upstairs sewing room. It’s a living museum home, indeed!
Phyllis’s parents built the home in 1977 and enjoyed the river and Canadian mountain views from the front windows for years. In 1992, Phyllis and Dave purchased the home and have enjoyed the views for years, too. The backyard provides much pleasure with the raised vegetable garden surrounded with a brick wall that Phyllis’s father built, much natural foliage and landscaped grounds, a deck adjoining the brick patio, an art studio, and a gazebo.
Be sure to wander to the backyard, after a look at the beautiful maple hardwood floors and a thorough stop in the beautiful and spacious sunroom, by following the path to the art studio. Completed artwork is on display as well as works in progress. Evidence of pieces yet to be imagined is in this special building, too, as one can see the glass cutting machine, the glass grinder, and art easels. This is where the magic happens for the Bigelows!
One of many points of interest is the wall near the downstairs bathroom, which displays what Phyllis calls, “The Sault Wall.” Various photos, rug pieces, and prints relating to Sault Sainte Marie can be seen, including two pictures of Phyllis’s grandmother. One shows her portrait; the other shows her wearing snowshoes while rabbit hunting in a long dress! Also on this wall is a picture of her grandmother’s home. On the opposite wall is a rug hanging depicting the same image.
A typical museum admission is $20. For less than $4 ($18 divided by five homes on the tour), you get an amazing deal to see the “The Bigelow Art Museum,” which is also known as the Bigelow’s home.
