You Have to Go Out, But You Don't Have to Come Back

FRANK WILLIAMS American (b. 1952) This painting reflects on life at the Indian River Life-Saving Station. This Life-Saving Station was built in 1876 by the United States Life-Saving Service. The service positioned stations at intervals along the coastline to help rescue sailors and cargo from shipwrecks. The "surfmen" served primarily in the stormy season of September through April, performing daily drills to prepare for rescues and patrolling the beaches looking for ships in distress. The table in the mess room was always set. One motto of the Life-Saving Service was, "You have to go out, but you don't have to come back." With the table set, the surfmen knew there was a place waiting for them when they returned from the beach. Egg tempera on gesso panel, 2020. 30.38 x 36.25 in. (77.15 x 92.08 cm.) SOLD Giclée prints of this painting are available upon request.