Cottages & the Maine Coast

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From August 7 to September 8, Down East Gallery will be featuring paintings and sculptures that capture the spirit of the Maine Coast. Featuring maritime paintings by award-winning artist Brad Betts, ASMA, the exhibition “Cottages & The Maine Coast” will include over 60 paintings of Maine’s oceanside cottages, crashing surf, beach roses on the shore, cottage gardens and classic sailboats gliding through Maine’s harbors. The opening reception will be held on Friday, August 10 from 5 – 7 pm and will feature live music by steel drummer Ben Betts.

Down East Gallery is located at 146 Boothbay Rd./Route 27, only one-half mile south of U.S. Route 1. The gallery features fine contemporary art by Brad Betts as well as sculptures, woodwork, glassware, tapestries and ceramics by a curated selection of Maine’s finest artists. With over 3,000 square feet of exhibition space, the gallery is located in a 1906 farmhouse and a 1904 post and beam barn, surrounded by a 35-acre farm with sculptures set amongst the gardens.

The gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday and Monday by appointment or by chance (closed September 1 for a private event). For more information, contact artist/owner Brad Betts: 207-318-3282; bbetts@maine.rr.com or visit DownEastGallery.com.

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Festival of Lights Pop-Up Gallery!

Down East Gallery is excited to host our first Pop-Up Gallery!  Running from November 7 to December 23, 2017, the Pop-Up Gallery features a diverse, carefully curated exhibition of unique Maine-made artisan goods.

In addition to  featuring small works by  Brad Betts and our core gallery sculptors, the Pop-Up Gallery features the work of the following artisans:

Alie Brussel Faria: Pottery

Andre Benoit: 3-D Wood Sculptures

Danielle Rose Byrd: Handhewn Wooden Wares

El Bolso Portland

Elephant Ceramics

Erica A. Moody: Fine Metal Work

Jess Wrobel: Textiles and Decor

Kathleen Jones: Jewelry

Lindsey Appleyard: Mixed Media Art

Patrick Moore: Cutting Boards

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Drying Sails in Camden Harbor

We're very pleased to announce that "Drying Sails in Camden Harbor" by Brad Betts was selected for the AWARD OF EXCELLENCE at the 38th Annual International Marine Art Exhibition at The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport.  The award recognizes paintings that are "outstanding examples of creativity, insight and integrity in marine art."

"Drying Sails in Camden Harbor", 24x18, oil on canvas

"Drying Sails in Camden Harbor", 24x18, oil on canvas


PAINTING INSPIRATION:

From our campsite in Camden Hills State Park, we climbed partway up Mount Megunticook, down a ravine, up and over Mount Battie before descending the boulder-strewn south face into town.  After miles of hiking through the dark confines of the woods, we now walked in neighborhood streets past old homes and the local library to a lawn overlooking the bustling harbor. A green schooner glided to a wharf, its red sails glowing against the blue sky. Sailboats coasted in the narrow aisles of water between the floats, painted buildings lined the wooden docks and people hurried by in all directions.  We were taken by the beauty of the scene and a sense that time had stood still: we had entered a world unchanged since the 1800s. We were neighbors from a nearby village, traveling into town to sell our wares, stock up on dry goods or simply hear the latest news.

"Keep the Light Burning", a fundraiser for Burnt Island Light

Burnt Island Light is a special destination for our family: a place we go to swim, picnic, walk the paths and shoreline, enjoy the gardens and just relax. It is also a place where we bring our guests to share a piece of maritime history that defines our region.

I am proud to be one of the many artists who donated paintings and volunteered their time and talent to help support the renovation of Burnt Island Light. We are fortunate to have this resource in our community.

My painting "Island Daisies" (below) sold at the auction, contributing to the $33,500 raised for Burnt Island Light that evening!  You can still support Burnt Island Light by purchasing one of the available Burnt Island Light paintings, currently on exhibit through the summer at Down East Gallery in Edgecomb, Gleason Fine Art and the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce.

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America and the Sea

“Camden Harbor” has been selected for the America and the Sea exhibition at The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport.

April 29 – June 18, 2017

The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT

https://www.mysticseaport.org/event/modern-maritime-masters-america-and-the-sea-exhibition-and-sale/

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National Maritime Show: AT SEA

“Morning on Monhegan, 1898” has been selected for a national maritime show at the Copley Society of Art. Juried by John Stobart and Russell Jinishian.

 

May 20 – July 6, 2017

COPLEY SOCIETY OF ART, Upper Gallery, 158 Newbury Street, Boston, MA

http://www.copleysociety.org/exhibition/sea

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