The Art Lover's Guide to Collecting Fine Art in
he eastern coastal state of Maine is the embodiment
of charm and class. Its small, sea-faring harbor towns
are whimsical works of art in and of themselves,
and its many tiny islands are full of magic. From
Kennebunkport to Castine to Rockport and so many more,
each community—delightfully picturesque in their own ways—
exude a sense of maritime appeal with numerous fi shing ports,
lighthouses, crystal blue waters and greenery fl owering
with brilliant bursts of color. Not surprisingly, the
region has captured the attention of such noted artists
as Thomas Cole, Winslow Homer, Marsden Hartley
and others, and has an abundance of arts and cultural
venues sprinkled throughout the state.
On the second Friday of every month in the fi shing
village of Kennebunk in southern Maine, visitors can
partake in the Village Art Walk, a free self-guided walking tour
of art galleries, studios and organizations of Kennebunk’s Lower
Village, as well as Kennebunkport’s Dock Square and Ocean
Avenue. Art walks are held in the evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. Also
found in this charming seaside town is Maine Art Hill, a bright
and inviting gallery with sunlight spilling in to highlight the
artwork of the 35 artists it represents—all of whom have some
connection to Maine whether they once lived in the state, livethere currently or spend a great deal of their time there.
The destination city of Portland’s downtown Arts District
covers a large portion of upper Congress Street toward the West
End. Here, visitors will fi nd an array of art galleries including
Congress Square Gallery, Fore River Gallery, June Fitzpatrick
Gallery and Greenhut Galleries, whose owners recently opened
the community arts space Cove Street Arts. Portland is also
home to the Maine Historical Society and the Institute
of Contemporary Art. During the First Friday Art Walk,
visitors can tour the lively city’s art galleries, studios,
museums and alternative art venues on the fi rst Friday
of every month from 5 to 8 p.m.
North on the Rockland Harbor is the Farnsworth
Art Museum, which houses more 15,000 works in its
collection. The museum boasts one of the nation’s largest
collections of works by sculptor Louise Nevelson, and its Wyeth
Center features the works of Andrew, N.C. and Jamie Wyeth.
A number of other outstanding art museums call the state
home, some of which include the Bates College Museum
of Art in Lewiston, the Bowdoin College Museum of Art in
Brunswick, Monhegan Museum of Art & History on Monhegan
Island, Colby College’s Lunder Institute for American Art in
Waterville and more. T
Maine
A view of historic
Portland Head Light
in Cape Elizabeth,
Maine. Photo by
CFW Photography.
Courtesy Visit
Portland.