A season of creative exploration begins with Hannah Burr at Annex Arts

Annex Arts in Castine kicked off its summer season with a series of almost-every-Friday Open Studios that began on June 13. Artist-in-Residence Hannah Burr, the first to take up residence this year, will be working in the front studio through June 19, then transitioning to Studio #2 through June 30. Visitors are encouraged to stop by, see works in progress, and meet the artist in a casual, welcoming atmosphere that celebrates spontaneity and creativity.

Burr, who comes from Ann Arbor, Michigan, brings a thoughtful and meditative practice rooted in her long connection to the Blue Hill Peninsula, where her family has had a home in Brooksville for generations. Her work uses paint to explore ambiguity, emotion and spiritual inquiry, beginning from the most minimal of marks to evoke a luminous, abstracted sense of place. Her approach invites quiet reflection and suggests the presence of something just beyond the visible.

Burr will host two more Friday evening sessions on June 20 and 27, each from 4 to 7 p.m. These events offer unique chances to observe the unfolding of her residency in real time, connect with the artistic process and experience the creative energy that pulses through the Annex Arts studios.

The season continues with a group opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. July 1 at both Annex Arts and gallery b., part of Castine’s ArtWalk and presented in collaboration with The Annex, gallery b. and Adam Gallery. The exhibition will feature new work by Burr alongside artists Sara MacCulloch and Mara Korkola, and will remain on view through July 24.

This summer brings an expanded and refreshed approach to residencies at Annex Arts, including newly renovated first-floor studios and additional artist housing that allow for rotating workspaces and greater flexibility. Past fellows are also welcomed back through an open-door policy, making the most of available space and fostering continued creative connections. With Open Studios happening nearly every Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., visitors can expect a lively and ever-changing lineup of artists throughout the season.

Annex Arts remains committed to providing artists with time, space and community on the Maine coast. With a focus on the creation of new work and meaningful public engagement, this summer’s programming promises to be as dynamic as the artists it supports. For more information and the latest updates, visit annexarts.org.