Robert Indiana’s longtime residence and studio, known as the Star of Hope, located on Vinalhaven Island off the coast of Maine, has been put up for sale as the foundation established to preserve his legacy shifts its focus. The artist, who passed away in 2018, had directed in his will that the property be converted into a museum-quality space dedicated to art, aiming to promote his collection and serve as a venue for public visits, classes, and lectures.

Following Indiana’s death, the Star of Hope Foundation undertook efforts to transform the 19th-century former Odd Fellows lodge, a local landmark overlooking Penobscot Bay, into a public art environment. However, last week the foundation listed the Star of Hope property at $1.4 million for sale, along with a smaller nearby building priced at $210,000. The foundation’s managing director, Carole Martin, explained that the decision reflects a strategic move away from property management towards directly supporting arts and cultural initiatives on the island.

“These properties are not our purpose — supporting artists is,” Martin said. She added that selling the buildings would convert these assets into philanthropic capital to benefit Maine’s arts community more directly. The Star of Hope building had undergone some stabilization and partial renovation after Indiana’s death, including roof repairs and restoration of windows and doors, but still presents ongoing structural and regulatory challenges.

The decision has drawn criticism from some quarters, including legal representatives involved in Indiana’s estate and Vinalhaven residents. Kevin Lipson, a partner at Venable LLP who represented the artist’s estate in litigation, said the sale contradicts Indiana’s testamentary intentions. “He wanted and expected a museum of some sort on Vinalhaven and that apparently is not in the cards,” Lipson said.

Local voices on the island also expressed concern. Marjorie Stratton, Vinalhaven’s town manager, recalled discussions with Indiana about his desire for the building to serve as a place for art, education, research, and opportunities for young people to engage with art. She expressed disappointment that the foundation seemed to be diverging from those aims. Similar sentiments have surfaced on community social media platforms.

Robert Indiana gained international fame for his “LOVE” sculpture, an emblematic piece of 1960s counterculture, and spent much of his later life at the Star of Hope, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Despite this designation, which recognizes its historical significance, there are no restrictions on its private use. When Indiana died, the property was in significant disrepair, and while some restoration was done by the foundation, complete renovation has proven difficult.

The artist’s estate, worth tens of millions of dollars, became the subject of legal disputes following his death, including concerns about potential exploitation during his later years. Initial community responses to the foundation’s plans in 2019 were mixed, with some residents worried that a museum could increase the island’s seasonal population influx, already significant during summer months.

Elaine Crossman, an acquaintance of Indiana and local business owner, acknowledged the challenges faced by the foundation and expressed cautious optimism about the sale. She voiced hope that new ownership could rejuvenate the property, potentially reopening storefront spaces on the ground floor and breathing new life into the historic structure.

“We believe a sale, paired with direct investment in the island’s artists and organizations, is the most honest path forward,” Martin said, acknowledging that reactions to the foundation's decision varied within the community.