New Galleries and Shops Keep the Event Fresh and New

The Corner of Swim and Main, Susannah Haney
The Corner of Swim and Main, Susannah Haney

Open doors and lively sidewalks will greet visitors to the first Wiscasset Art Walk of 2016 on Thursday, June 30, from 5-8pm.  In addition to Wiscasset Village’s fine collection of galleries featuring local, contemporary, and historical work, guest artists and special features will add even more creative zest to the evening. 

In Sylvan Gallery, 49 Water St., artist Susannah Haney of Wiscasset will be displaying a collection of her paintings focusing on the beauty and simplicity of early New England architecture. One painting, The Corner of Swim and Main, reflects her care in composing a view of a sparkling white cottage amidst the environs of Swim Beach on Monhegan Island. Haney says, “I try to capture this harmony with a realistic technique that reflects the care that the architect and builder took in carefully siting the homes and other buildings to take maximum advantage of the land and the light.” The artist will be on hand during the Wiscasset Art Walk to answer questions about her technique of using water-soluble oil paints. 

Also on hand during the Wiscasset Art Walk, Brad Sevaldson, photographer and co-owner of BIRCH at 72 Main St., will be displaying his photographs of Maine and away.  According to Sevaldson, “My collection of photographs includes some of my favorite places and things, from the natural scenic beauty of Maine to the architecture and charm of Europe.  Inspiration is all around; capturing that unique image is my goal, sharing the results is my reward.”

Moulinette Mercantile, 60 Main St., will be hosting author and artist Katherine Dunn of Apifera Farm in Bremen.  Dunn will be signing her illustrated books and will exhibit some of the original paintings.  Apifera Farm, recently relocated from Oregon, is home to Dunn’s ‘misfits’ – special needs goats and pigs she’s adopted and cares for.    

And the sidewalks . . . vibrant and humming with activity and meandering minstrels, Married with Chitlins, always a hit with visitors as they play their rollicking country tunes.   

Fabric artist Dana Spinney-Brown is the Treats manager by day, but at night and in the wee hours, she designs and sews custom, one-of-a-kind aprons using vintage fabric and buttons.  Enjoy an apron extravaganza as live models parade in these fashionable aprons up and down Main St.  Dana herself will be ensconced in Treats, 80 Main St., as the host for the popular wine tasting.

The Garden Club of Wiscasset will be answering questions about all things plants and gardens and selling fresh-from-the-garden bouquets in the vicinity of 80 Main St.  Across the street, The Nickels-Sortwell House, 121 Main St., will be showing off a new garden, designed and implemented by Garden Club members, based on photos of a wedding in 1937.

Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts in Newcastle will display their wares and offer a live wheel throwing demonstration in front of Ingram Fine Art & Antiques at 106 Main St.  According to Executive Director Fran Rudoff, the evening is a timely prelude to Salad Days, Watershed’s annual event on July 9. 

 Wiscasset’s Art Walks are held on the last Thursday of the summer months: June 30, July 28, August 25, and September 29 from 5-8pm. Participant sites are marked with colorful streamers and touring maps are available throughout the Village. Major Sponsors for Wiscasset Art Walk 2016 are Ames True Value, Big Barn Coffee, Carleton Real Estate, Carriage House Gardens, First National Bank, and Fogg Art Restoration.  Additional sponsors are the Carl M.P. Larrabee Agency, Cod Cove Inn, French & Co. Antiques, and Red’s Eats.  For more information about the Wiscasset Art Walk, please visit www.wiscassetartwalk.org or contact event coordinators Lucia Droby at ludroby@verizon.net or Violet Brandwein at 917-327-1449.