Jean Kigel Exhibits ‘Midsummer Solstice Latvian Style’

This year, Jean Kigel announces both an opening and a closing: the opening her Back Cove Studio in Waldoboro and the closing of her Brick House Gallery, which was also in Waldoboro.

This summer, Kigel will present her paintings thematically on a bi-weekly basis both digitally and onsite at Kigel Studio, 1396 Back Cove Road, Waldoboro.

Her first theme show celebrates the midsummer solstice Latvian style, with paintings of her travels to Latvia. Kigel’s four grandparents were born in Latvia, and her parents grew up in the United States, speaking both Latvian and English. On the June solstice, or Jāņi, Latvian people wear floral wreaths and gather to eat Latvian food, drink beer, sing folksongs and light bonfires. The bonfires symbolize ancient fertility rites. Each June, Jāņi is celebrated both in Latvia and with the Latvian diaspora in the United States, Canada, Argentina and Australia.

Kigel’s Latvian Midsummer Jāņi show runs from June 19 through July 3. Visitors can view these paintings online at www.jeankigel.com and in person, by appointment, following Maine’s CDC guidelines. For more information, email [email protected], or call 832-5152.