Aston Hamabe AroundtheHarbor
Francis Hamabe, “Around the Harbor” Silkscreen

 

 

The Maine Art Gallery in Wiscasset opens its last exhibit of the season on September 10 with a calendar for the remainder of the season that is full of activity before closing in mid-October.

“Made in Maine,” the gallery’s annual members exhibit, provides all member artists with an opportunity to exhibit their work in the gallery’s bright and airy exhibit space in the Old Academy building at 15 Warren Street.

The “Made in Maine” exhibit will also include works by a few artists from the gallery’s formative years who have made an impact on the arts community in the state. The legacy artists include Francis Hamabe (1917-2002) and Leo Meissner  (1895 – 1977). Hamabe was a graphic designer, silkscreen artist, painter, cartoonist, and puppeteer whose joyful work declared his talent and his love for Maine. Meissner, a fine artist in both oils and pastels whose fame rests even more on his masterful woodcuts and wood engravings, returned to Maine every summer for 50 years to work in his studio on Monhegan Island.

The show is open 11-4, Thursday – Sunday, September 10-October 18. A reception for the artists will be held on Saturday, September 12 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.  Music will be provided by Sean Fleming on the jazz piano. Visitors to “Made in Maine” will find a rich and colorful exhibition of works in painting drawing, textiles, sculpture, photography and assemblage. Member participation helps to make the Maine Art Gallery sustainable and plays an important part in its mission of building community through the arts.

MAG’s board of trustees president Kay Liss and exhibition co-chair Mark Coates will be interviewed by Maine Public Radio’s Heather McDougall during her weekly show, State of the Art. Learn more about the history of the Maine Art Gallery at noon on Sunday, September 13 or during a repeat of the show at noon on Monday September 14.

 

Chutsky Naud Sipping Geese Reflections
Karen Kallena, “Sipping Geese Reflections” Chalk Pastel

 

On Saturday, September 19, the gallery will celebrate the renovation of its lobby that includes installation of a timeline with photos and text depicting its remarkable history and a renovated staircase featuring new handrails. The 1807 building will also be undergoing structural work on its cupola for which MAG received grants from various entities, including the Town of Wiscasset which owns the building. The public is invited to join the festivities beginning at 4pm.

The gallery thanks season sponsor Sherri Dunbar of Tim Dunham Realty and capital sponsor Ames True Value Hardware and Supply.

A nonprofit organization, the Maine Art Gallery is dedicated to the advancement and preservation of the visual, fine and applied arts through exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations and educational programs for children and adults since 1958. More information can be found at www.maineartgallerywiscasset.org and on Facebook at Maine Art Gallery Wiscasset.