Wherever your journeys in Maine may take you, there will always be art surrounding you. You may have even noticed it in our lobby as we have a beautiful collection of works by local artist Holly Ready. Or that we are always hosting a monthly photography competition through our Facebook page. The state of Maine even has an art-centered license plate. 

Because of this inescapable nature of art, here is my little beginners guide to the Maine art scene, starting right here in the lobby of the Black Point Inn.

Holly Ready

Spend a little time in the Black Point Inn lobby, and you cannot miss the gorgeous collection of works by local artist Holly Ready. It is clear that Ready has been inspired by the unique Maine coastline. Each piece is painted with vivid colors, capturing how light interacts with the distinct textures of sky, stone, and surf. Linger a little around our lobby, and appreciate Holly’s work for yourself. 

The Prouts Neck Home of Winslow Homer

Knowingly or not, you’ve probably stumbled upon a Winslow Homer piece in your lifetime. He was a true American artist, capturing scenes of familiar landscapes and small moments of daily life in the 19^th century. Here on Prouts Neck, we are very fortunate to have his studio in the neighborhood. With prior registration, studio visitors can experience the very spaces in which Homer lived and created. After exploring the space, we encourage visitors of Black Point Inn to take a stroll on the nearby cliff walk, and to experience for themselves the ever-changing landscape that continually inspired Winslow Homer. The space is maintained by the Portland Museum of Art.

Portland Museum of Art

I must begin by saying that Black Point Inn and the Portland Museum of Art have a beautiful friendship. And we are so thrilled because the PMA is an awesome local museum. Located in the heart of Portland’s Arts District, the PMA is consistently one of the best places to visit in the city. They offer a diverse array of programming, from movie nights to curator talks to exclusive members-only social events. The Museum’s collection is diverse in scope, with a majority of American, European, and contemporary works. Spend hours here exploring, an especially enjoyable activity on those otherwise yucky rainy days.

It’s no secret that Maine has plenty of material to provide artistic inspiration. For generations, artists have flocked to the state because of its diverse landscape and the relaxing retreat it provides away from the bustling art hubs such New York City and Paris. Because of this long tradition, Maine has so much art readily available to view. What better way to take in more than 73,000 works of art than The Maine Art Museum Trail. The route consists of 8 museums spanning roughly 200 miles of scenic Maine coastline; what better way to explore both the Maine landscape as well as the diverse artistic landscape. Travel at your own pace but be sure to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity. 

If you are lucky enough to visit during the first Friday of the month, you must take in the excitement that is the First Friday Art Walk in Portland. In the warmer months, the whole city comes out to support the local arts as one of the city's main streets closes to be exclusive to pedestrians. The sidewalks are lined with local artists of all ages and mediums, displaying and selling their personal works. Local galleries and the centrally located Maine College of Art warmly open their doors to the public, and the Portland Museum of Art has free admission after 5 pm. There are family-friendly street performances of dance, magic, and music. Plus when you’ve worked up an appetite, there are many restaurants within walking distance ready to feed you, but be sure to call ahead to reserve a spot. 

The crowd at First Friday. Photo courtesy of http://www.portlanddailyphoto.com/2014_06_01_archive.html

By: Lena C., Black Point Inn Social Media Coordinator.