ORIGINAL SS UNITED STATES ART JOINS OUR COLLECTION

The SS United States Conservancy is proud to announce the acquisition of a stunning original work of art from the SS United States. One of enamelist Peter Ostuni’s depictions of Navajo sand art has been donated to our collection and will become a featured attraction in our future museum.

Peter Ostuni crafted the beautiful symbolic murals that adorned a First Class cocktail lounge aboard the SS United States which came to be known as the “Navajo Lounge.” Inspired by the Navajo people’s artwork created with sand and pigments, Ostuni fabricated thirteen interpretations of indigenous motifs for display aboard the Big U. His symbolic figures were crafted from copper on sand-coated aluminum and fired in a kiln to assemble the hundreds of separate pieces that comprised the colorful murals. 

Joyce Marchand donated the panel in memory of her husband Chris Marchand. The Marchands admired the Big U when she was docked at Newport News, Virginia, after her service career ended. Chris purchased the painting from the 1984 auction of the SS United States’ art, fixtures, and furnishings and displayed it in the family’s Ohio home. Joyce was happy to donate this important work of art to the Conservancy as she believes "it should go back to where it belongs."

Courtesy of the Craig Family Archive

We are truly grateful to be the new stewards of this iconic artwork from the SS United States and look forward to displaying it in our future SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience. 

EXCITING NEW ARTS COLLABORATION AND OFFERING

The Conservancy is thrilled to announce a new collaboration with Brooke Lanier, a celebrated Philadelphia-based artist with a passion for the SS United States. Her paintings depict the Big U from varied vantage points, including the ship’s rarely-seen recent interiors.

A review of Lanier’s recent exhibition describes her skill in capturing the complexity and grandeur of SS United States: “Lanier treats old ships much in the way that an urban explorer treats old factories: as the site of surprise, juxtapositions, and personal and occasionally inscrutable encounters with maritime history.”

A museum-quality poster featuring Lanier’s 2024 painting, Imposing Bow, is now available for purchase via the Conservancy’s online store here. Proceeds from the sale of this item are shared between the Conservancy and the artist. 

Brooke Lanier’s original art featuring the SS United States can be seen here. The Big U continues to inspire a new generation of artists, and we look forward to sharing more of these works in the coming year. 

BREATHTAKING BIG U PHOTOS

David Rocco, a Conservancy supporter and photojournalist, recently shared stunning photos of the SS United States docked in Pier 82 in Philadelphia.

Courtesy of David Rocco

Enthralled by the Big U, he chartered a helicopter and boat to capture these incredible images.

Courtesy of David Rocco

We are so grateful to David for sharing these beautiful photos of the SS United States! Have you photographed the Big U at any point in her service career or at one of her post-retirement ports of call? We’d love to hear from you and see your images!

SUPPORT THE CONSERVANCY WITH A GIFT MEMBERSHIP

We invite you to honor someone special in your life with a gift membership to the SS United States Conservancy! Your tax-deductible donation of any size will support our ongoing work celebrating the legacy of the SS United States and planning our future museum. Special customizable membership certificates are available. (We feel confident that if these gift memberships had been available during Truman's presidency, he would have purchased one for his daughter, who was on board the Big U's record-breaking maiden voyage!)

Our members enable us to continue our museum planning and development, expand our curatorial collections, and mount engaging and exciting digital and in-person exhibitions. Click HERE to learn more. Questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@ssusc.org.