Keith Oehmig, “About to Leave Harbor, Camden” oil on board, 24” x 30”
Keith Oehmig, “About to Leave Harbor, Camden” oil on board, 24” x 30”

The Wiscasset Bay Gallery celebrates the gallery’s 33rd season with the opening of “New England Summers.” Highlighting this show is a pair of energetically painted oils by John Fulton Folinsbee (1892-1972). “Up the Kennebec” is rendered in rich blues and greens and depicts the clear light of a Maine summer day on the Kennebec River. In contrast, “Squall” utilizes strong blacks, browns and ultramarine blues to capture two men in a dory crossing Montsweag Bay under threatening skies. Playing against Folinsbees’ intensity is Theresa Bernstein’s (1890-2002) “Sunbathers at the Beach, Gloucester” setting the mood of restful summer idyll.

Equally painterly and vibrant in color are Max Kuehne’s (1880-1968) “Sailing Out of the Harbor,” and Jay Hall Connaway’s (1893-1970) “Rising Seas.” Other twentieth century artists featured in the exhibition include William Zorach (1887-1966), Carl Peters (1897-1980), Earl Horter (1881-1940), John Checuti (1900-1976) and William Lester Stevens (1888-1969).

Jay Hall Connaway, “Rising Seas,” oil on board, 8” x 10”
Jay Hall Connaway, “Rising Seas,” oil on board, 8” x 10”

Among the contemporary New England works are views of Monhegan Island by David Kasman painted in thick, sculptural strokes and the harborfront of Camden and Rockport captured in vibrant blues by Keith Oehmig. Guy Corriero will be showing his luminous seascapes and Diana Johnson her jewel-like pastels. Scott Redfern’s oils render Maine’s soft atmospheric light with a distinctive clarity. Other contemporary artists exhibiting in the show are Carlton Plummer, Michael Graves, Tom McCobb and David Lussier.

“New England Summers” will be on display at the Wiscasset Bay Gallery, 67 Main Street, Wiscasset, Maine through July 7th. Wiscasset Bay Gallery Modern & Contemporary located at 8 Federal Street will also be open for the season and will feature surrealist photography and mid-century works. For further information, call (207) 882-7682 or visit the gallery’s website at www.wiscassetbaygallery.com. The Wiscasset Bay Gallery is open daily from 10:30 am until 5:00 pm and is located at 67 Main Street (Route 1) in historic Wiscasset village.