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.
Image Courtesy of the Maine Arts Commission |
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.
"Prouts Surf," Holly Ready. Oil on Canvas. |
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 19th 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.
Winslow Homer's Fireplace. Image courtesy of the Portland Museum of Art website. |
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.
A little throwback portrait of the PMA. Courtesy of the Portland Museum of Art website. |
The Maine Art Museum Trail
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.
First Fridays
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 |