Peter Max Receives Preserve Putnam Award

Eric Gross George Whipple (left) presents Peter Max with a Preserve Putnam Award at the Tilly Foster Farm. World recognized artist Peter Max received a warm Putnam County welcome and a special award as well.

Max and his wife Mary visited the Tilly Foster Farm last Friday at the invitation of philanthropist George Whipple and were both presented with a Preserve Putnam Award in recognition of the couple’s dedication to animal rights.

Peter Max also unveiled a painting specifically created for Putnam County which was donated to the Whipple Foundation for display at the Tilly Foster Farm Museum.

The couple are vegans and long time supporters of farm sanctuary and animal rights organizations.

Years ago, Peter Max rescued a cow that escaped from a Cincinnati slaughterhouse after it jumped over a six foot fence. Max and his wife adopted the cow which has been named Cindy Woo that now resides at an animal sanctuary in upstate Watkins Glen.

Max’ paintings are on exhibition in hundreds of museums and galleries worldwide. During Friday’s ceremony before some 100 guests, Whipple called Max the “most famous living artist in the world and one of the most prolific. Peter Max and his vibrant colors have become part of the fabric of contemporary culture. The man is a genius who is often referred to as ‘America’s Painter Laureate.’”

During his amazing career, Max has painted for many heads of state including six United States Presidents. His art appears on a Continental Airlines Boeing 777 jumbo jet, a 600-foot stage for the recently held Woodstock Music Festival as well as a giant mural at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Whipple said Max also created a series of paintings for the Town of Carmel’s Preserve Putnam that proudly hang in the Carmel Cornerstone Park.

Max thanked Whipple for “tolerating me all these years and for having such a nice big heart by taking care of endangered farm animals. George and I go back for more than 25 years.”

With that Max handed Whipple an original piece of artwork depicting a Putnam heart. “This is one masterpiece that I will always treasure,” said Whipple.