Parents, teachers and children poured into the Maine Art Gallery, aka MAG, in Wiscasset for the opening of the K-12 student art show on April 12. For the first time in the years that the annual exhibit has opened the MAG season, students presented their work alongside that of their teachers.
As grades 7-12 art teacher Shalimar Chasse’ said to the packed room, “The students love to have their work shown in a real gallery.”
Entering the gallery, one is greeted with a charming cut-paper collage by kindergartener Lorelai Merry called “Baby Owls at Night.” At her young age, one can already see her budding sense of color, design and even an artistic expressiveness revealed in the birds.
First-grader Ryder Bailey displayed an accomplished landscape painting in tempera and magic marker. And 10th-grader Erik Dube showed a series of “Glazed Ceramics,” which were imaginative and well-constructed.
There are many other student creations in multiple mediums to enjoy along with the work of their two teachers, Chasse’ and the K-6 art teacher, Liz Proffetty. Proffetty has exhibited two wonderful Japanese accordion pop-up books that fold out to reveal delicate paintings on beautiful paper.
Chasse’ created a variety of artworks in different mediums, including some basketry and unusual metallic buttons. “My art is a curiosity to try new mediums that I then share with my students,” she said in an artist’s statement accompanying her work.
The exhibition remained opened for two additional weekends through April 28.
‘GENERATIONS: THE LEGACY OF MENTORS’
The theme of mentorship continues with “Generations: The Legacy of Mentors,” a concurrent exhibit in the upstairs gallery. This exhibition includes art by MAG’s founding generations of artists from the 1950s and ‘60s and a younger generation of artists who were influenced by them. It will be expanded in May to include a juried show of member artists who describe the influences upon their work.
“Generations: The Legacy of Mentors” runs May 2 to June 9, with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. May 4.
Philip Barter and his son Matt Barter represent the close bond of mentorship that can be found within a family. Both father and son are known for bold, colorful Maine landscapes and quirky works in wood. Another family mentorship is found in that of painter David Little, an abstract painter, and his uncle William Kienbush, who was an expressionist.
Other mentor relationships include David Dewey, who studied with Joseph Fiore in Philadelphia and followed him to Maine. Frances Kornbluth and Elena Jahn considered Reuben Tam a mentor and drew further lessons from other Monhegan artists like Murray Hantman, Michael Loew and Morris Shulman, who showed at MAG in the ‘60s and return in this exhibition.
Sarah Fisher, a former painting conservator, speaks of the influence of Lina Burley in helping her to be free to do her own art. Kevin Beers appreciated the generous spirit of his mentor, Alex Minewski. Stow Wengenroth was a huge influence on Gregory Dunham as an artist and friend. John Laurent was such an influence on Tom Glover that their style is very similar. Jeff Epstein studied under Lois Dodd, and Marguerite Robichaux came to Maine to work for Tom Cavanaugh, who made her realize that she could have an artist’s life.
The generations artists will be further honored during an artist talk at 3 p.m. May 18, the birthday of gallery founder Mildred Burrage. Linda Burley and Lisa Jahn-Clough, whose mothers’ work is part of the exhibition, will speak about their special relationships with artists in a talk titled “My Mother the Artist.” An artist-inspired birthday cake and sparkling wine will mark the occasion.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR MAINE ART GALLERY CLASSES
The Maine Art Gallery is open for its 66th season with a full schedule of classes designed to pique curiosity and expand artistic skills.
Classes have minimum enrollments and maximum limits, as well as registration deadlines.
May 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Getting to Done with Debra Arter. Do you have unfinished art that you haven’t been able to complete? Debra Arter will show you six ways to help you finish those watercolors, acrylics, or mixed media pieces. The atmosphere will be supportive and exploratory. All you need to do is bring your work. A snack will be provided but feel free to bring a sack lunch.
Debra Arter holds a BA and MFA in fine art. She has been teaching art to adults for over 20 years. She is a member of the National Collage Society as well as the Boston Printmakers.
June 20, 9:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.: Simplified Plein Air with Deena Ball. This class covers the preliminary steps in simplifying a landscape can be applied to the creation of an artistic work in any medium. The class can be taken alone or combined with a class that same afternoon, Painting Plein Air — All Media. You’ll learn principles in the morning and apply them in the afternoon painting session.
June 20, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Plein Air All Media with Deena Ball. This session is a continuation of the morning class. It is designed for beginning painters who want to try outdoor painting as well as more experienced plein air painters who would like guidance from a professional. Students will select a subject, plan their painting using tools discussed in the morning session, and use the afternoon to complete a painting.
For students interested in plein-air painting, enrolling in both June 20 workshops will provide the most effective learning experience.
June 27, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Plein Air Historic Wiscasset with Deena Ball. This three hour plein-air class for any medium will concentrate on painting some of the historic houses in Wiscasset. Students should be familiar with their chosen media. The class will concentrate on capturing the atmosphere of the day and the small town feel of Wiscasset. Students will start with plein air sketches at the chosen location to determine their best composition and progress to a two-hour plein air painting. The session will end with a final critique. There will be a quick demo and plenty of individual assistance.
Plein Air instructor Deena Ball is a nationally renowned landscape painter. She holds a BA in Art History and Studio Art from Colby College in Waterville and additional studies at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art and Tyler School of Art. Her paintings have been exhibited throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region and can be found in “Watercolor Artist” and several annual publications of “Splash.”
Ball is an active teaching artist for both adults and children. She has made presentations to Philadelphia Watercolor Society, Onondaga Art Guild and Salem County Art Society. She is a signature member of the Philadelphia Watercolor Society, Baltimore Watercolor Society, Pennsylvania Watercolor Society and is a Pennsylvania Guild Master Craftsman.
July and August classes include simple stitched bookmaking, sketchbook with Joelle Webber, journaling in watercolors with Diane Dubriel and flower photography with Olga Merrill.
Maine Art Gallery members receive discounts on all classes as well as information about upcoming exhibitions, artist talks and special events. Individual memberships are $35 and available through maineartgallerywiscasset.org.
The Maine Art Gallery gratefully acknowledges First National Bank, sponsor for the K-12 Student Art Show; season sponsor Sherri Dunbar of Tim Dunham Realty; and capital sponsor Islebrook Village at Wiscasset, an Everbrook Senior Living Community.
The Maine Art Gallery is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement and preservation of painting, sculpture and graphic arts through exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations and educational programs for children and adults. The gallery is located at 15 Warren St., Wiscasset. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Visit www.maineartgallerywiscasset.org for details.
