ABOUT JIM

Aspiring archaeologist. Volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation clinic. United States Marine. Museum curator. Internationally acclaimed fine art expert. These are but a few of the many hats Jim has worn to date. Yet throughout all these adventures one thing has remained constant: First and foremost, he is an author.

As a fine art historian and member of the Boston Authors Club, his books have been featured in the pages of The New York Times, The Boston Phoenix, The Boston Globe, and on PBS. Yet his passion has firmly resided as a paranormal fiction writer, ever since he watched It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown as a little tyke. For it is here that he is most comfortable, dwelling upon the borderlands betwixt realities and documenting the terrifying delights that lie just beyond the reach of our senses.

When not off wandering through fabulous chthonian realms, he can be found dwelling along the granite shores of Gloucester, Massachusetts, with his family and that irascible scoundrel, George the Turtle.

What no one knows about Jim:

He wrote the first drafts to several of his tales in the very room Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in.

With nothing more than a bachelor's degree from a lowly state college to his name he unnerved the art world with his first book, correcting the shamefully shoddy research of the chair to Princeton University’s art & archaeology department––and earning an arch-enemy in the process.

As a younger man, he had a torrid romance with a certain Grammy-nominated jazz singer, yet broke it off when she demanded he choose her over his best friends Lucy and Emma… his Yellow and Chocolate Labradors. (She wasn’t allergic or anything. She just didn’t like dogs.)

Being a born-and-bred Bostonian you’d think he was a huge sports fan, but truth be told? He's not. Jim feels no shame in this whatsoever.

That being said, he did have tickets to what would be Tom Brady’s last game as a New England Patriot, but he gave them away to friends at the last minute and has burned with shame ever since.

He still maintains a faithful vigil for the Great Pumpkin every Halloween.

Curriculum Vitae

PUBLICATIONS

-More Rapid Than Eagles, appearing within A History of Portsmouth in 101 Objects, edited by Kathleen Soldati, Stephanie Seacord, Project Director. Publisher: Piscataqua Press. January, 2023 (essay)

-Legacy & Future: The Story of RAA&M, compiled & edited by Leslie D. Bartlett. Publisher: Rockport Art Association & Museum. August, 2021 (book)

-American Eagle: The Bold Art of John Haley Bellamy, America’s Greatest Shipcarver. Publisher: Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors. March, 2015 (article)

-American Eagle: New Discoveries Concerning the Bold Art of John Haley Bellamy. Publisher: Antiques & Fine Art Magazine. August, 2014 (article)

-American Eagle: New Findings involving the Industrial Production Methods of John Haley Bellamy, Shipcarver, Kittery, Maine. Publisher: Society of Industrial Archaeology. June, 2014 (essay)

-The Bold & Brash Art of John Haley Bellamy, Carver Extraordinaire, edited by Richard M. Candee. Publisher: The Art Guide to South Coast Maine and Seacoast New Hampshire. April, 2014 (essay)

-American Eagle: The Bold Art and Brash Life of John Haley Bellamy. Publisher: Portsmouth Marine Society. April, 2014 (book)

-George Savary Wasson: Forgotten Genius of the Maine Coast, appearing within Maritime Portsmouth: The Sawtelle Collection, edited by Richard M. Candee. Publisher: Portsmouth Historical Society. June, 2011 (essay)

-Frank Vining Smith: Maritime Painting in the 20th Century. Publisher: Hard Press Editions/Hudson Hills. July, 2010 (book)

-100 Essex Road: An American Treasure. Publisher: DR Fine Art. December, 2008 (book)

-An Affinity for the Sea: The Art of Fitz Henry Lane. Publisher: Boston Antiques for Charity, Inc. 47th Annual Ellis Antiques Show, November, 2006 (article)

-Fitz H. Lane: An Artist’s Voyage through Nineteenth Century America. Publisher: The History Press. August, 2006 (book)

-Fitz Henry Lane: An Affinity For The Sea. Publisher: Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine. Volume 3, Issue 4, April, 2006 (article)

AWARDS

-Innisfree International College & Convention Center Celtic Studies Program Award of Scholarship. March, 2009 (Awarded for the essay Archaeological Heritage of Sligo, Republic of Ireland)

-Gloucester Historical Commission Preservation Award. May, 2007 (Awarded for the book Fitz H. Lane: An Artist’s Voyage through Nineteenth Century America, it being cited as “a significant treatise in the art history of Gloucester.”)

PROFESSIONAL MUSEUM EMPLOYMENT

-Author/Researcher/Independent Consultant to fine art collectors, antique dealers, and museums (2006-Present)

-Director of Special Events & Development, Hammond Castle Museum (2021-2023)

-Executive Director, Rockport Art Association & Museum (2018-2021)

-Executive Director, Albacore Park/Portsmouth Submarine Memorial Association (2015-2018)

-Associate Curator of Permanent Collections, Cape Ann Historical Museum (2003-2006)

-Curatorial Assistant, House of the Seven Gables Museum (2002-2003)

CURATED EXHIBITIONS

-Aesop’s Fables: The Works of Nancy Schön. Rockport Art Association & Museum, summer & autumn, 2021

-Then & Now: First Summer Show: Rockport Art Association & Museum, summer, 2021

-Legacy and Future: Celebrating 100 Years of RAA&M. Rockport Art Association & Museum, spring, 2021

-Surrender at Sea: the German U-boat Surrenders at Portsmouth, New Hampshire in May of 1945. Albacore Park/Portsmouth Submarine Memorial Association, spring, 2017

-Running Deep: The Many Tools Submarines Use to Navigate Underwater, Both Yesterday and Today. Albacore Park/Portsmouth Submarine Memorial Association, spring, 2016

-L8 to Today – 100 Years of Building Submarines at the Portsmouth Naval Ship Yard. Albacore Park/Portsmouth Submarine Memorial Association, autumn, 2015

-Bold and Brash! The Art of John Haley Bellamy. Portsmouth Historical Society, spring, 2014

-Whaling on Cape Ann: The Untold Story, 1737-1938. Cape Ann Historical Association, autumn, 2006

-Neighbors and Friends. Cape Ann Historical Association, summer, 2005

-Leon Kroll: A Singular Vision. Cape Ann Historical Association, summer, 2004

LECTURES / PUBLIC APPEARANCES

-Kittery Historical & Naval Society: A Measureless Peril: Wartime Hysteria, Spies, Surrenders at Sea, and U-Boats off Kittery, Maine, in World War II (Presented on January 30, 2025)

-Hammond Castle Museum: From Fitz Henry Lane to the Future: A Brief History of the Fine Arts in Gloucester, Massachusetts (Presented on May 23, 2023)

–Exeter Historical Society: A Measureless Peril: Wartime Hysteria, Spies, Surrenders at Sea, and U-Boats off of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in World War II (Presented on May 1, 2018)

–Life and Death in the Piscataqua Symposium: Fitz Henry Lane & His Portsmouth Paintings (Presented on February 10, 2018)

–Life and Death in the Piscataqua Symposium: A Measureless Peril: Wartime Hysteria, Spies, Surrenders at Sea, and U-Boats off of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in World War II (Presented on March 5, 2017)

-USS Constitution Museum: American Eagle: A New Look at the Life and Art of John Haley Bellamy (Presented on November 19, 2014)

-Portsmouth Historical Society: Decoding the Many Myths of John Haley Bellamy (Presented on September 19, 2014)

-Portsmouth Historical Society: Atypical Offerings: John Haley Bellamy’s Forgotten Days as a House Carpenter (Presented on September 5, 2014)

-Northeast Auctions: American Eagle: A New Look at the Life and Art of John Haley Bellamy (Presented on August 16, 2014)

-Portsmouth Historical Society: Carving for Ol’ King Neptune: John Haley Bellamy’s Career as a Ship Carver (Presented on August 15, 2014)

-Portsmouth Historical Society: Impersonating Bellamy: Stories of Inspired Imitators, Fallacious Forgeries, and Cases of Mistaken Identity (Presented on July 25, 2014)

-Society of Industrial Archaeology: American Eagle: New Findings involving the Industrial Production Methods of John Haley Bellamy, Shipcarver, Kittery, Maine (Presented on May 17, 2014)

-Portsmouth Historical Society: American Eagle: A New Look at the Life and Art of John Haley Bellamy (Presented on May 9, 2014)

-The Gundalow Company: American Eagle: A New Look at the Life and Art of John Haley Bellamy (Presented on April 12, 2014)

-Portsmouth Historical Society: American Eagle: A New Look at the Life and Art of John Haley Bellamy (Presented on April 5, 2014)

-Kittery Historical & Naval Society: American Eagle: A New Look at the Life and Art of John Haley Bellamy (Presented on March 11, 2014)

–Life and Death in the Piscataqua Symposium: American Eagle: A New Look at the Life and Art of John Haley Bellamy (Presented on February 8, 2014)

-Portsmouth Historical Society: Glorious Collaboration: The Art and Friendship of John Haley Bellamy and George Savary Wasson (Presented on July 2, 2011)

-Essex Shipbuilding Museum: Frank Vining Smith: Maritime Painting in the 20th Century (Presented on February 10, 2011)

-Hull Lifesaving Museum: Frank Vining Smith: Maritime Painting in the 20th Century (Presented on January 13, 2011)

-Vose Galleries: Frank Vining Smith: Maritime Painting in the 20th Century (Presented on October 23, 2010)

-Heritage Museums & Gardens: Frank Vining Smith: Maritime Painting in the 20th Century (Encore presentation, presented on October 3, 2010)

-Hingham Historical Society: Frank Vining Smith: Maritime Painting in the 20th Century (Presented on September 22, 2010)

-The Mariner’s Museum, Newport News, VA: Frank Vining Smith: Maritime Painting in the 20th Century (Presented on September 4, 2010)

-Rockport Public Library (in collaboration with Toad Hall Bookstore): Frank Vining Smith: Maritime Painting in the 20th Century (Presented on September 1, 2010)

-Salem Marine Arts Gallery: Frank Vining Smith: Maritime Painting in the 20th Century (Presented on July 22, 2010)

-Heritage Museums & Gardens: Frank Vining Smith: Maritime Painting in the 20th Century (Presented on June 27, 2010)

-Salem Athenaeum: New Revelations into the Art and Life of Fitz Henry Lane (Presented on December 4, 2008)

-Newport Art Museum: New Revelations into the Art and Life of Fitz Henry Lane (Presented on February 23, 2008)

-Massachusetts Historical Society: 1st Annual Holiday Book Fair. (Was one of eight authors [including Eric J. Dolan and Eve LaPlante] who spoke at a two day symposium and book sale concerning New England history, presented on December 1, 2007)

-The Society for the Encouragement of the Arts (SeArts): The Role of Phrenology and Mysticism in 19th Century American Art (Presented with Ms. Susan Erony, former Executive Director, SeArts, on November 20, 2007)

-Nahant Historical Society: Fitz H. Lane and his Connections to Nahant, Massachusetts (Presented on October 21, 2007)

-Danvers Art Association: New Revelations into the Art and Life of Fitz Henry Lane (Presented on October 6, 2007)

-Essex Shipbuilding Museum: New Revelations into the Art and Life of Fitz Henry Lane (Presented on August 14, 2007)

-Rockport Art Association: Fitz H. Lane and his Connections to Rockport, Massachusetts (Presented on August 8, 2007)

-Concord Museum: Use of Color as a Means of Expressing Transcendental Ideal in the Art of Fitz H. Lane (Presented on July 29, 2007)

-Manchester Historical Association: Fitz H. Lane and his Connections to Manchester, Massachusetts (Presented on June 6, 2007)

-India House Club: Fitz H. Lane: An Artists Voyage through Nineteenth-Century America (Presented on April 17, 2007)

-The Society for the Encouragement of the Arts (SeArts): New Revelations into the Art and Life of Fitz Henry Lane (Presented on March 13, 2007)

-The Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center: New Revelations into the Art and Life of Fitz Henry Lane (Presented on March 11, 2007)

-The Rocky Neck Art Colony, “Nights on the Neck”: New Revelations into the Art and Life of Fitz Henry Lane (Presented on October 5, 2006)

-Northeast Auctions: Fitz H. Lane: An Artists Voyage through Nineteenth-Century America (Presented on August 19, 2006)

-The Rocky Neck Art Colony, “Nights on the Neck”: History of the Rocky Neck Art Colony, 1836 to Today (Presented on July 6, 2006)

-Cape Ann Historical Museum (in collaboration with The Whale Center of New England), Whaling on Cape Ann: The Untold Story 1737-1938 (Presented on March 11, 2006)

-Essex National Heritage Commission, Trails and Sails, 2005/2006: Follow the Footsteps of Fitz Hugh Lane (Presented on September 24, 2005, and September 23rd, 2006)

-The Northeast Sea Glass Festival: Shipwrecks of Cape Ann & the China Trade (Presented on October 9, 2004)

-Essex National Heritage Commission, Trails and Sails, 2004: Walking Tour of the Gloucester Inner Harbor (Presented on September 25, 2004)

-Cape Ann Historical Museum, Let’s Go Sailing! (Boat tour of Gloucester Inner and Outer Harbor, narrated on July 10 & 11, 2004, and July 21, 2005)

-Cape Ann Historical Museum, Fitz Hugh Lane Primer (three-part lecture series presented on July 10, 17, & 24, 2004)

TELEVISION APPEARANCES

-New Hampshire 1, Nazi Submarines in New Hampshire (Aired February 9th, 2015)

-Adelphia Public Access, The Writer’s Block (Aired December 28th, 2006, & January 8th, 2007)

-Trails & Sails Through Essex County, Volume 3, Heritage Landscape Painters of the ENHA (Aired Summer/Fall, 2004. Essex National Heritage Commission)

-P.B.S. Boston, educational documentary Not Yet A Nation (Offered for sale Fall, 2003. Intelecom)

-Home and Garden Network, Historic Homes of Salem (Aired Oct. 2002. High Noon Productions)

RADIO APPEARANCES

-WHYY Radio (National Public Radio, Philadelphia, Ralph Collier Syndicated Programs and Publications) (two five-minute interviews pertaining to Cape Ann History, aired fall of 2006)

INTERNET APPEARANCES

-Boston.com, Art World Adjusts to Lane Change (narration of image slideshow: (www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/07/01/art_world_adjusts_to_lane_change/?page=1)

-WGBH Forum Network, American Eagle: The Bold Art and Brash Life of John Haley Bellamy (http://forum-network.org/lectures/american-eagle-bold-art-and-brash-life-john-haley-bellamy/)

-Antique Auction Forum, 157. Jim Craig on Carver, John Haley Bellamy (http://antiqueauctionforum.com/tag/the-art-of-john-haley-bellamy/)

-New Hampshire 1, Nazi Submarines in New Hampshire (http://www.nh1.com/videoplayer/?video_id=2239&categories=18)

James A. Craig

ABOUT JIM

When not off wandering through fabulous chthonian realms, he can be found dwelling along the granite shores of Gloucester, Massachusetts, with his family and that irascible scoundrel, George the Turtle.

What no one knows about Jim:

He wrote the first drafts to several of his tales in the very room Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in.

​​

With nothing more than a bachelor's degree from a lowly state college to his name he unnerved the art world with his first book, correcting the shamefully shoddy research of the chair to Princeton University’s art & archaeology department––and earning an arch-enemy in the process.

​

As a younger man, he had a torrid romance with a certain Grammy-nominated jazz singer, yet broke it off when she demanded he choose her over his best friends Lucy and Emma… his Yellow and Chocolate Labradors. (She wasn’t allergic or anything. She just didn’t like dogs.)

​​

Being a born-and-bred Bostonian you’d think he was a huge sports fan, but truth be told? He's not. Jim feels no shame in this whatsoever.

​​

That being said, he did have tickets to what would be Tom Brady’s last game as a New England Patriot, but he gave them away to friends at the last minute and has burned with shame ever since.

​​

He still maintains a faithful vigil for the Great Pumpkin every Halloween.

​

Curriculum Vitae