Art of the Spinnaker

Capitalizing continued

An Unexpected Peek into the Past

When initial demolition of the Spinnaker walls began, contractors discovered hand painted murals of sailboats, Chris Crafts, and even a giant Muskie fish painted directly onto the plaster. These murals are believed to have been painted by local artists Russell Lange and Gerard VanderHeyden in 1939, when the Spinnaker was referred to as the Grille Room. The artists set out to depict the full range of activities that the GPYC offered its members. Because the murals were painted on the plaster, it was impossible for the contractors to extract them for historical purposes. It was decided by the Project Team that the murals would remain safe and undisturbed behind the new walls. Luckily, we grabbed a few photos of them before they were sealed off.

To view photos of the murals in their heyday, refer to page 64 of the GPYC Centennial Book.

First Impressions Matter

Although the Spinnaker remodel kicked off VISION 2026, the Club also began the remodel of the lobby and main entryway at the same time. Architect Patrick Ahearn designed the lobby to match the Spinnaker, including white beadboard, dark wood flooring to replace the carpeting, modern seating arrangements, an expanded receptionist’s desk and a separate doorway for coat check. These new elements elevated the lobby from dark and outdated to a bright, airy entryway to the Clubhouse. As they say, first impressions do matter.

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Artwork In The Spinnaker

By: Larry W. Stephenson, M.D.

The seven oil paintings hanging on the walls of the newly renovated Spinnaker are on loan from the Detroit Historical Museum. Plus, the Club received generous donations of two wooden yacht and speedboat models, which are both on display for Spinnaker diners to enjoy.

1John V. Moran Artist: Howard F. Sprague Location: Above the fireplace

The steam powered package freighter John V. Moran was painted in 1889 by Howard F. Sprague, the year after her launching in 1888. This black-hulled wooden vessel was built in Bay City, Michigan, with “Wards Detroit and Superior Line” painted on her bow. The artist, who lived in both Detroit and Cleveland, succumbed to tuberculosis in 1899 at the age of 28.

2USS Michigan Artist: Robert Patterson Location: Behind the bar

The Navy gunboat USS Michigan, launched in 1843, was the first iron-hulled ship built for the United States Navy. Powered by both steam and sail, she maintained marine law and order on the Great Lakes for many years. Her duties also included asserting a U.S. Naval presence along the Canadian border as a deterrent to possible British aggressions. This was painted by world renowned marine artist Robert Patterson (1817-1858).

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3S.T. Carpo Paintings Artist: Patrick T. Collins Location: Side by side in the back room of the Spinnaker

Two paintings of the freighter S.T. Carpo, both port and starboard sides, viewed from the stern. She was built in Detroit in 1927 as the flagship for the Huron Portland Cement Company and named for one of the company co-founders, Stanford Carpo. The other co-founder was John B. Ford, whose family was commonly referred to as the “Chemical Fords” to distinguish them from the automotive Fords, and several members of this Ford family were GPYC members. Artist Patrick T. Collins was born in Ireland and lived in New York City.

4Seneca Artist: Howard F. Sprague Location: Back room of the Spinnaker

The package freighter Seneca, with several other ships and birds in the background, is another painting by artist Howard F. Sprague. She was built in Buffalo, New York and carried cargo between the ports of Buffalo, Gladstone, Michigan, and Chicago, which means she would routinely have sailed past the Grosse Pointes both up and downbound.