MARK McNAIR
Decoy Maestro
It is common knowledge that the brilliance of renowned artists is often neither recognized nor appreciated until after that person’s passing. Rarely does a famed artist enjoy the heights of widespread recognition during their lifetime. Mark McNair is a rare and notable exception to that rule. During his lifetime, Mark’s talent has become widely recognized in the large and significant world of American folk art decoy carving. In widespread national publications, he has been referred to as “the most celebrated living practitioner of decoy creators” and “the dean of contemporary decoy artists.” He is the only living artisan whose works are on display at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont, arguably our country’s premier folk art institution. National auctions of Mark’s works have consistently produced values in the thousands of dollars. Most recently, Mark’s works at auction have produced values well into the tens of thousands of dollars. It is not a question of “if,” but “when” one of his creations achieves six figures. Perhaps most extraordinarily, one presumes he will be the first decoy artist to achieve that level during his lifetime. Mark has drawn the attention of serious decoy collectors everywhere. His following is large and growing. Acquiring one of his creations has become an aspirational pursuit
There’s much more to know about Mark McNair. At age 74, Mark has been creating decoys for over 52 years. He hails from Guilford, CT. As the son of a carpenter, he learned at an early age how to turn pieces of wood into something useful. Along the way, he expanded that knowledge into converting wood not only into something useful, but beautiful as well. His artistic interest began during his school years and led him to design school. As a happenstance, he became intrigued by a working decoy in a friend’s home. Already having learned from his father how to work with wood, overnight he created a replica of his friend’s decoy—his first creation which he quickly sold, spawning a lifetime avocation and career. Many years later, virtually all of Mark’s work is “bespoke,” having been commissioned and sold well before creation.
Ultimately, Mark’s interest in creating decoys drew him to Virginia’s Eastern Shore, the storied and legendary center of waterfowling on the East Coast. Mark and his wife, Martha, live on the Chesapeake Bay waterfront (a tributary, thereof) in a 200+ year-old clapboard home near the remote village of Craddockville, VA. It is a fitting location honoring the decoy carving heritage of Mark’s works. Those works are created (born, if you will) in a small outbuilding on the property—his shop, where nondescript blocks and branches of wood are converted into artistic and utilitarian masterpieces. Living on the water, Mark enjoys countless opportunities to closely observe waterfowl in a wild setting, much as a trained naturalist would. Those opportunities provide inspiration for his creations. Being on the water also allows Mark to ensure the critical “utility” attribute for each of his works…every decoy must qualify as a working decoy. The tributary behind Mark’s home is his proving ground, where he ensures his creation floats perfectly as a working decoy should. In that, he achieves his goal of both art and utility…after all, a duck must look like a duck!
Mark and Martha’s Craddockville home is also where they raised their children. Their adult sons, Ian and Colin, are now celebrated carvers in their own right, whose works are drawing increasing attention—perhaps literally and figuratively, they are “chips off of one of dad’s blocks!” When not carving, Ian is a successful independent business entrepreneur (High ‘N Dry Outfitters) and Colin is the curator of antique decoys for the well-known Copley Fine Art Auctions of Hingham, MA. Copley specializes in antique decoys and American wildlife and sporting art. Copley’s auctions are followed with great interest by serious collectors having the means to acquire important pieces of art. From his vantage point, Colin enjoys the rare honor and privilege of managing the sale of his well-known father’s artistic creations to serious decoy collectors. One can only imagine the pride he feels when the fall of the gavel results in a new high mark.
We at the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum (AWHM) in Virginia Beach are both proud and fortunate to have on loan an extensive display of Mark McNair’s works from the private collection of Mark and Margi Cromwell of Virginia Beach. For over 40 years, the Cromwells have been devoted followers and investors in McNair’s art. In fact, we believe this displayed collection is by far the most extensive anywhere, providing examples of the full range of McNair’s creations. AWHM resides on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront in the historic DeWitt Cottage, located at 1113 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.
On Saturday, September 20, 2025, AWHM will be celebrating its 30th year of existence and, simultaneously, 130 years of the historic DeWitt Cottage. The DeWitt is the last example of an original beach cottage existing on the oceanfront. (What’s known as the DeWitt Cottage was actually built in 1895 by Bernard Peabody Holland, Virginia Beach’s first mayor, a railroad executive, and an avid waterfowler.) Mark and the McNair family will be our invited “guests of honor” for that celebration. Tickets to this event will be exclusive, but available to a limited number of guests. This will be a rare and unique opportunity to meet and speak with Mark McNair and his family, to view his works and hear first-hand what drives his inspiration. The same will be true for Ian and Colin. Equally of interest, AWHM is also delighted to be able to auction a bespoke original decoy creation by Mark, produced expressly for this event. Carvings by Ian and Colin will also be auctioned. This will be a rare opportunity for the successful bidder(s) to acquire in an exclusive 501(c)(3) setting a treasured decoy masterpiece, a work of extraordinary art that will only grow in value like those which have preceded it.
For further information, contact us at director@awhm.org.
Note: The Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum is a recognized non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The event noted above is a fund-raising endeavor for the museum. While the museum makes no assertions as to the tax treatment related to the purchase amount for an item sold at this event, one should consult with their own tax advisor in that regard.