KIGEL
Work by Jean Kigel.

Jean Kigel Studio + Gallery in Waldoboro is currently featuring “Patchwork,” an oil painting by Jean Kigel.

A few years ago, Kigel was one of 11 artists chosen to spend a day painting on Allen Island, six miles off Port Clyde.

“I had passed this bleak island many times en route to Monhegan and had always dreamed of visiting it,” Kigel said. “Once there, this old dory caught my attention, and I decided to use my geometric realism style to capture its working history.”

Settled for a short time by George Weymouth in 1605, Allen Island survived the Indian Wars for 70 years and was further settled by the young John Allen and his descendants in the late 1700s. For a time, it had a fish stand and a school.

After the island’s population declined, Betsy Wyeth bought it, cleared land, imported sheep, built ponds and reconstructed buildings as a refuge for herself and as a place for Andrew Wyeth to paint.

Today, Allen Island is a research campus of Colby College, where scientists study climate change on the Gulf of Maine, atmospheric pollution and genetics affecting biodiversity. Established with a gift from Maine-based NorthLight Foundation, the Center for Resilience and Economic Impact is the latest entity created as part of Colby’s Dare Northward campaign. Port Clyde residents Dan and Sheryl Tishman formed the NorthLight Foundation to address conservation, climate and community resilience issues in Maine and across the country.

Jean Kigel Studio + Gallery is at 1396 Back Cove Road, Waldoboro. The gallery is open during regular business hours. Calling first is recommended at 207-832-5162. For more information, go to www.jeankigel.com.