Things to Do in Mid-coast Maine
Storytree Theatre Camp at Merry Barn
Join us for a 12 week theatre adventure packed with fun and creativity! Students will cultivate the art of PLAY, as they develop skills in performance, collaboration, and communication. Using our actor's tools of body, voice, and imagination, we’ll create original characters to put on a world premiere of an original play, written, designed, and performed for family and friends!
Location: Merry Barn, 417 River Rd. Edgecomb, ME
Dates: Tuesdays, September 10 - December 10; Time: 3:30-5pm
Cost: $250
Register: MerryBarn.com ; Questions: merrybarnwritersretreat@gmail.com
Advanced Writers' Group at Merry Barn
Beginning September 19, best-selling author and acclaimed ghost writer, Andrew Wolfendon, will facilitate a work-sharing and discussion group for experienced writers of fiction and narrative nonfiction at the Merry Barn. The Advanced Writers’ Group is for professional and published writers and those actively pursuing publication. Authors may be working on novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, games, and story-based nonfiction. Each meeting begins with discussion of specific topics or questions, followed by participants reading aloud from their work to gain valuable feedback and commentary from the group. This group aims to advance skills and careers as storytellers and share knowledge on craft and the business of writing.
SESSIONS: Beginning on September 19, meetings will be held the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Interested participants must apply. Remote participation will be considered. Monthly membership is $45, and a discounted rate of $240 is offered for a six-month membership. For the application and to register, contact Andrew andrewwolfendon@gmail.com.
The Merry Barn is located at 417 River Road in Edgecomb, Maine.
Image: Andrew Wolfendon
River Arts: "Celebration" Exhibition and Sale
"Celebration" encourages gallery patrons to shop locally for affordable art for the holiday season which in turn supports Maine artists. Original fine art and fine craft, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramic, jewelry, fiber, multimedia, pastel, glass, wood, collage and more will be on exhibit and available for sale during this holiday exhibition.
A public reception opens the exhibit on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2 to 4pm.
Location: River Arts, 36 Elm Street, Damariscotta, Maine. Gallery hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm; Sunday, 11am to 3pm. FMI: call River Arts at 207-563-6868.
Making Sculpted Paper Poinsettias
Paper Poinsettias add flair to your holiday decorations. Join us for an evening of paper sculpting fun! A great introduction to many paper sculpting techniques, like scoring, crimping, cupping and curling. Tools, hand decorated paste papers and other materials provided.
Joelle Webber has spent 40 years collecting book arts techniques in college and workshop settings. At Mermaid Bindery, she binds books and boxes for others as well as writing, paper decorating, collage, calligraphy, pop-up and paper sculpting to illustrate her own artist books and craft work. Building on these creative techniques, she designs workshops for many different communities of makers.
Class link - https://merrymeeting.maineadulted.org/course/sculpted-paper-poinsettias/
Location: Merrymeeting Adult Ed Center, 35 Republic Avenue, Topsham, ME 04086, 207-729-7323
image: a sculpted paper poinsettia
Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest
Visit Wiscasset Village for three days of great shopping, seasonal music, free raffles, workshops, discounted cocktails, kids’ visit with Santa, wagon rides through the Village . . . and more! Shopping for your holiday gifts is a pleasure when you visit the unique shops in Wiscasset Village. Shop owners are on site and can recommend just-right gift selections.
The charming historic Village is festooned for the season, and the pop-up Holiday Gift Shop offers one-of-a-kind artisan-made selections.
Park your car in one of the many nearby parking lots and enjoy your visit to Wiscasset, Maine! Find more details here.
image: Heart ‘n Soul Quartet
Merry & Bright Light Parade and Santa's Workshop
Watch the Merry & Bright Light Parade as it winds its way through Wiscasset Village with precious cargo, SANTA! A special car drops Santa off at his local Workshop where he greets children and listens to their holiday wishes. All families welcome!
After a chat with Santa, kids are invited to warm up with hot cocoa and special treats and make a few hand-made holiday decorations. Outside, Santa’s woolly sheep are calling for attention; they love gentle pets and back rubs. They’ll be located near a festive back drop where families can take family photos.
Nearby, find s’mores from the fire pit; but if those aren’t enough to satisfy appetites, purchase dinner from food truck, Reggae Eats. Grown-ups will find seasonal adult drinks at the Maine Tasting Center’s outdoor Biergarten.
Truly a Block Party for everyone, brought to you by Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest, Wiscasset Community Center, and Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce. The evening’s sponsor is Dave’s Disposal.
locations: Light Parade route: Hooper St. to Federal St. to Route 1 north. Santa’s Workshop and Block Party, Scout Hall, 7 Lincoln St., Wiscasset, ME, and immediate environs.
image: Light Parade, 2023
Paper Star Workshop
Learn to make your own ornaments during this hands-on workshop taught by paper artist Joelle Webber. A $10 suggested donation supports St. Philip’s Church community programs. Advance reservation recommended by calling the Church, 207-882-7184, and leaving a message, but not required. Hosted by St. Philip’s Church, 12 Hodge St., Wiscasset, Maine.
image: paper stars made by workshop instructor, Joelle Webber
17th Annual Pascal Hall Art Show
The 17th Annual Art Show will be held at Pascal Hall in Rockport, Maine. Exhibitors are Patty Bolz, jewelry; Arduina Caponigro, photographs; Autumn Cipala, ceramics; Julie Crane, prints & paintings; Jessica Lee Ives, paintings; Margaret Rizzio, assemblage; Anneli Skaar, paintings; and Michaela Stone, leatherwork & sculpture. For more information, please visit www.annualartshow.me
location: Pascal Hall, 86 Pascal Ave., Rockport, Maine 04856
dates: Saturday, Dec. 7, 4pm-8pm and Sunday, Dec. 8, 11am-3pm
image: a sampling of wares
Haunted Holiday Ghost Walk
Hear chilling stories of local hauntings and revel in stories of Christmas past with tour guide, Tracey Whitney! Advance tickets can be purchased here where all will be explained. This is a walking tour so please dress for the weather.
location: Wiscasset Village, Wiscasset, Maine
image: Wiscasset Court House, a stop on the haunted walking tour
Sounding Board Finale at Merry Barn
Attention lovers of literature, writers, storytellers, and tall tale spinners! We invite you to join us for a special finale of The Sounding Board.
Over the last year, The Sounding Board has been a special place for all of us to share the important practice, process, and work of being writers. It is a space where we can get our writing out into the open and in front of a kind and receptive audience. This is the last Sounding Board we’ll offer before the Merry Barn closes its doors in December, and we would love to make it an extra special event.
Calling all writers and neighbors to come and enjoy featured author, Cynthia Reeves, and this wonderful community that has gathered together to listen, read aloud, and be inspired by local authors, and friends.
Interested in sharing your work? Submit 750 words to read aloud by November 11 here.
Gathering and light refreshments begin at 5:30 p.m., with readings starting at 6 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. FMI here.
Garden Talk
The Garden Club of Wiscasset invites the public to hear Irene Brady Barber, PhD, who will speak on “Garden Design: a New England Lens.” This will be an opportunity to create a garden honoring the geographic landscape and cultural history that is uniquely found in Maine and New England.
There is no charge for the talk and refreshments served after the program.
Location: Fellowship Hall, Congregational Church, 28 High St., Wiscasset, Maine
Image: Dr. Irene Brady Barber (Emily Adler photo)
Button Hole Stitched Book Workshop
Learn to make a bound book that has a lot of scope to include all your favorite colors and decorative papers. This book is a great beginner binding, with a paper cover and no glue needed. Join us to make your new journal, poetry or guest book. Tools & materials provided.
Instructor, Joelle Webber, has spent 40 years collecting book arts techniques in college and workshop settings. At Mermaid Bindery, she binds books and boxes for others as well as writing, paper decorating, collage, calligraphy, pop-up and paper sculpting to illustrate her own artist books and craft work. Building on these creative techniques, she designs workshops for many different communities of makers.
Class link: https://boothbayae.coursestorm.com/course/button-hole-stitched-book
Location: Boothbay Region High School, 236 Townsend Ave, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
image: a button hole stitched book
Book Talk at River Arts
Join poet and artist Renuka O’Connell for an afternoon of poetry and art at River Arts Gallery in Damariscotta, Maine. O’Connell will read from her new book, “Cosmic Collect Call: Appreciate the Mystery: Poems About Life.” O’Connell will also share select pieces of her art from the book that inspired her poetry.
The author will have signed copies of her book available for sale at the reading.
Learn more about Renuka here.
River Arts is located at 36 Elm St., Damariscotta, ME. FMI: info@riverartsme.org or 207-563-6868.
Image: Renuka O’Connell
River Arts Call to Artists: "Celebration" Show
River Arts in Damariscotta announces a call to artists for a special, year-end show, “Celebration,” which will fill the entire gallery. "Celebration" encourages gallery patrons to shop locally for affordable art for the holiday season which in turn supports Maine artists. All original fine art and fine craft including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramic, jewelry, fiber, multimedia, pastel, glass, wood, collage and more will be accepted for this holiday exhibition. All artists are invited to participate in this non-juried show. This is an open call without a pre-determined theme.
Works may be delivered during gallery hours starting Oct. 18 until the deadline on Saturday, November 9, 4pm.
Rules of Entry: Artists may enter any number of pieces with no size limits. The sum of all pieces must be no higher than $500 retail. Entry forms are available in the gallery when work is delivered or on the River Arts website .
Entry Fee per artist is $15 for members and $30 for non-members. Artists make 65% of sales and River Arts retains 35% commission.
A public reception for the show will be Saturday, November 16 from 2 to 4. The show will run through January 4.
Location: River Arts, 36 Elm Street, Damariscotta, Maine. Gallery hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm; Sunday, 11am to 3pm. FMI: call River Arts at 207-563-6868.
Wiscasset Farmers' Market
Featuring local and regional providers of produce, freshly roasted coffee, baked goods, plants, meats, honey, maple syrup, soaps, and other products.
Location: Wiscasset Town Office Parking Lot (behind the building), 51 Bath Rd., (Rte. 1), Wiscasset, ME 04578
The Sounding Board at Merry Barn
The Sounding Board is a monthly forum for Midcoast writers of all abilities to share brief pieces, receive supportive feedback, and hear new work from a published author. Writers wishing to read on October 10, should submit a piece of up to 750 words for approval to merrybarnwritersretreat@gmail.com, by Monday, October 7.
Bill Anthony returns as featured author for October’s Sounding Board, which is marking its first anniversary. Anthony, the catalyst for The Sounding Board, was the first author to share new unpublished work in October 2023, Farnsy, a tribute to Damariscotta and Midcoast Maine. A year later, Anthony returns to read recent work and discuss his writing process with Sounding Board moderator, Kelsy Hartley, Merry Barn’s community outreach and program coordinator.
Location: Merry Barn, 417 River Rd., Edgecomb. This event is free and open to the public with donations appreciated.
Image: Bill Anthony
Making a Tunnel Book
Join paper artist, Joelle Webber, in the fun of making and decorating a tunnel book. A magical structure that allows us to look through a panorama of layered paper landscapes. Bring your ideas and favorite collage papers. Tools & materials provided.
Joelle has spent more than 40 years collecting book arts techniques. Learning from mentors and book arts books as a young person, then, as an adult, in workshop and university settings. At Mermaid Bindery on Westport Island, she provides custom book binding and box making services for others, including rebinding well loved books. Joelle enjoys writing, paper decorating, collage, calligraphy, pop-up & paper sculpting, which she uses to illustrate her own artist books. Building on these creative experiences, she is pleased to design workshops for many different communities of makers.
Register with Boothbay Region Adult & Community Ed.
Artist Talk: about photographer Kosti Ruohomaa
Kevin Johnson, photo archivist for the Penobscot Marine Museum (PMM) in Searsport, Maine, will present "Kosti Ruohomaa: A LIFE Behind the Lens.” The slide show and talk focuses on the Rockland, Maine, photographer whose career skyrocketed during the era of photo magazines such as LIFE and LOOK; National Geographic and Downeast also used his photos regularly.
While he photographed around the world, Maine was Kosti’s favorite subject. He was a storyteller with a camera and captured the spirit and culture of Maine with his photos. The popular book, Night Train at Wiscasset Station: An Unforgettable Portrait of Maine and Its People’ , features Kosti’s photos, text by Lew Dietz, and forward by Andrew Wyeth.
Location: Maine Art Gallery, 15 Warren St., Wiscasset, ME 04578
Image: Fryeburg Fair Fireworks by Kosti Ruohomaa
Wiscasset Farmers' Market
Featuring locally grown veggies, seafood, grass fed beef, pork, rabbit, cheese, flowers, soap, coffee, fruit, baked goods, frozen prepared Columbian food, maple syrup, and hard cider!
Find a list of vendors here.
Location: Wiscasset Town Office Parking Lot (behind the building), 51 Bath Rd., (Rte. 1), Wiscasset, ME 04578
Artist's Choice at River Arts
River Arts Gallery presents an Artist’s Choice exhibit with a reception for artists and friends on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2-4pm. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
The gallery is located at 36 Elm St. Plaza, Damariscotta, ME. Find more info. here or send a message to info@riverartsme.org.
Wiscasset Farmers' Market
Featuring locally grown veggies, seafood, grass fed beef, pork, rabbit, cheese, flowers, soap, coffee, fruit, baked goods, frozen prepared Columbian food, maple syrup, and hard cider!
Find a list of vendors here.
Location: Wiscasset Town Office Parking Lot (behind the building), 51 Bath Rd., (Rte. 1), Wiscasset, ME 04578
Wiscasset Art Walk
Wiscasset Art Walk is a summertime celebration of art, music, performance, and history in Wiscasset’s charming riverfront Village. Galleries are artist-owned, and boutique shops are open for perusing. Enjoy special music and performance features and guest artists each month.
As the sun sets early during the final WAW of the season in September, join family and friends under the big tent for a dance party!
WAW is located in Wiscasset Village, Maine, along Rte. 1 (Main St.), with plenty of free parking.
Image: T-Acadie plays while visitors dance. Bob Bond photo.
Wiscasset Schoonerfest
A day-long celebration of the Wiscasset riverfront and a look back at the town’s long history of a working waterfront. On the water, take a schooner ride, visit White’s Island by boat, help a lobsterman harvest his catch, and delight in the romance of a lighted boat parade. On the land, take a walking tour of historic homes, listen to chanties, play games with your kids, enjoy local food trucks, and dance the evening away.
Find the festivities on the Recreational Pier, Water St., in Wiscasset Village.
FMI: Dan Watts, 860-338-3576
Wiscasset Farmers' Market
Featuring locally grown veggies, seafood, grass fed beef, pork, rabbit, cheese, flowers, soap, coffee, fruit, baked goods, frozen prepared Columbian food, maple syrup, and hard cider!
Find a list of vendors here.
Location: Wiscasset Town Office Parking Lot (behind the building), 51 Bath Rd., (Rte. 1), Wiscasset, ME 04578
Call to Artists: Artist's Choice at River Arts
River Arts in Damariscotta invites artists to submit work for their upcoming juried show, “Artist’s Choice.” Submissions are now open through Saturday, September 21 at 4pm. This show is open to members and nonmembers alike.
River Arts is pleased to announce the juror will be artist, Alice Kirkpatrick, for this popular show. Kirkpatrick earned her BFA in art from Colby College and maintains a studio at her home in Pownal.
Kirkpatrick says, “I am drawn to quiet places that reveal more about the human spirit by their emptiness than those that bustle with human activity. I'm inspired by light, and the power it holds to move us, whether inside our own private spaces, or out in the world.”
“Artist’s Choice”” is open to all media including painting, sculpture, fiber, photography and mixed media. Artists may enter two pieces with a size limit of 24 inches (in any direction) including frame. Or artists may enter one larger piece with a size limit of 50 inches including frame.
“Artist’s Choice” invites artists to enter their most recent work or work they feel best represents their personal style.
Entry forms are available at the gallery or may be downloaded from the website: riverartsme.org. For members the entry fee is $15 and for non-members it is $30. Artwork must be delivered in person to the gallery for submission.
“Artist’s Choice”” will run from September 24 through November 9. The opening reception will be Saturday, September 28 from 2 to 4. The gallery is located at 36 Elm St in Damariscotta. Regular hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 4 pm. For more information visit: riverartsme.org or call 563-6868.
Image: Alice Kirkpatrick, self-portrait photo
DaPonte String Quartet in Concert
Join the DaPonte String Quartet with new violinist, Philipp Ellsner in a performance of Mozart's Quartet in Bb Major, K. 589 and Beethoven's epic Quartet in Eb Major, Op. 127
Location: Great Cranberry Island Church, ME.
Wiscasset Farmers' Market
Featuring locally grown veggies, seafood, grass fed beef, pork, rabbit, cheese, flowers, soap, coffee, fruit, baked goods, frozen prepared Columbian food, maple syrup, and hard cider!
Find a list of vendors here.
Location: Wiscasset Town Office Parking Lot (behind the building), 51 Bath Rd., (Rte. 1), Wiscasset, ME 04578
Nocturne Exhibition
Nocturne is the last show of the Maine Art Gallery’s 2024 season. With the close of autumn and the coming dark days, these Maine artists will display their own interpretations of evening and night effects, influenced by James McNeil Whistler’s nocturne series in the late 1800’s. The juried show will feature work that explores this theme in all mediums and is finding a growing appreciation among collectors to experience mystery, serenity, and peace in these paintings.
The opening reception for Nocturne is Saturday, September 14, from 5pm to 7pm at the gallery. Enjoy the exhibit, meet the artists!
The gallery stays open late for Wiscasset Art Walk on Thursday Sept. 26, until 7pm. See the exhibit, enjoy the art walk!
Maine Art Gallery, 15 Warren Street, Wiscasset, ME 04578. Free and open to the public Thursday through Sunday, 11am-4pm. Exhibiting art to the community in this historic building for 66 years!
FMI: 207-687-8143 or info@maineartgallerywiscasset.org
Image: Autumn Moon, Rockland, by Stephan Giannini.
Italia in Tre: Photography by Jeremy Barnard
Jeremy Barnard's photographs “not only convey a sense of place, but a sense of time transcending place,...his work is poetic in unexpected ways.” - David Raymond, artist/writer, writing in Art New England.
Jeremy has been primarily a practitioner of black and white photography for the past forty plus years. He is self-taught, his craft having been molded and influenced by the photography and writings of some of the great masters. “My love affair with photography began when I developed my first roll of film and created my first print. I fell in love with the process, the magic.” See the artist’s work here.
The exhibition of the photography of Friendship’s Jeremy Barnard is in the River Room of River Arts Gallery, 36 Elm St. Plaza, Damariscotta, Maine. For questions or more information, call 207-563-6868.
The public is welcome to attend a reception for the artist on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2-4pm.
Image: ‘Pitigliano’ by Jeremy Barnard.
DaPonte String Quartet in Concert
Join the DaPonte String Quartet with new violinist, Philipp Ellsner in a performance of Mozart's Quartet in Bb Major, K. 589 and Beethoven's epic Quartet in Eb Major, Op. 127
Location: Old Walpole Meetinghouse Candlelight Concert, State Rt. 129, Walpole, ME.
For tickets go here.
Wiscasset Farmers' Market
Featuring locally grown veggies, seafood, grass fed beef, pork, rabbit, cheese, flowers, soap, coffee, fruit, baked goods, frozen prepared Columbian food, maple syrup, and hard cider!
Find a list of vendors here.
Location: Wiscasset Town Office Parking Lot (behind the building), 51 Bath Rd., (Rte. 1), Wiscasset, ME 04578
Growing Micro Greens at Home
The Garden Club of Wiscasset welcomes the public to a free presentation about growing micro greens at home. The speaker, Peter Arnold, is a Garden Club member and former Sustainability Initiative Director for the Chewonki Foundation. How lovely it would be to have fresh greens all year long! Refreshments follow the program.
Location: Fellowship Hall, First Congregational Church, 28 High Street, Wiscasset, ME
Image: Peter Arnold. Photo by Geneie Everett.
Wiscasset Farmers' Market
Featuring locally grown veggies, seafood, grass fed beef, pork, rabbit, cheese, flowers, soap, coffee, fruit, baked goods, frozen prepared Columbian food, maple syrup, and hard cider!
Find a list of vendors here.
Location: Wiscasset Town Office Parking Lot (behind the building), 51 Bath Rd., (Rte. 1), Wiscasset, ME 04578
Wiscasset Art Walk
During Wiscasset Art Walk, the Village becomes a festival with sidewalk activities, community art projects, and special features: performances by local musicians on the street and in the art galleries; hands-on art projects, food trucks and more! WAW is hosting 19 Towns/19 Stories this evening with addiction and recovery stories, healing arts and music, and a ceremonial procession, starting around 7pm, from the waterfront to Sunken Garden.
WAW is located in the Village center along Rte. 1 (Main St.) Rain or shine.
Image: Long Branch Boys, the featured sidewalk musicians during WAW on 8-29-24, 4-7pm.
Silk Scarf Dyeing Workshop
Taught by Kathy Faass, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn the intricate art of silk dyeing while creating your own stunning wearable masterpiece. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, Kathy will provide personalized guidance and expert tips to help you achieve stunning results. All materials, including premium silk scarves, dyes, brushes, and resist materials, will be provided, ensuring you have everything you need to bring your artistic vision to life. You'll also learn essential techniques for setting and preserving your dye, ensuring your creations maintain their brilliance over time.
Contact: Annie@SouthportGeneralStore.com; (207) 666-0402
Location: The Barn at the Southport General Store, 443 Hendricks Hill Rd., Southport, ME 04538
Register for the workshop here.
DaPonte String Quartet in Concert
Join the DaPonte String Quartet with new violinist, Philipp Ellsner in a performance of Mozart's Quartet in Bb Major, K. 589 and Beethoven's epic Quartet in Eb Major, Op. 127
Location: Surry Arts & Events at the Barn, 8 Cross Rd., Surry, ME.
DaPonte String Quartet in Concert
Join the DaPonte String Quartet with new violinist, Philipp Ellsner in a performance of Mozart's Quartet in Bb Major, K. 589 and Beethoven's epic Quartet in Eb Major, Op. 127
Location: Union Hall, 24 Central St., Rockport, ME.
Wiscasset Farmers' Market
Featuring locally grown veggies, seafood, grass fed beef, pork, rabbit, cheese, flowers, soap, coffee, fruit, baked goods, frozen prepared Columbian food, maple syrup, and hard cider!
Find a list of vendors here.
Location: Wiscasset Town Office Parking Lot (behind the building), 51 Bath Rd., (Rte. 1), Wiscasset, ME 04578
ABSTRACT at River Arts
River Arts Gallery hosts a reception for the exhibition, Abstract, welcoming artists and friends, on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2-4pm. The exhibit closes on Saturday, Sept. 21. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
Location: River Arts, 36 Elm St. Plaza, Damariscotta, ME. Find more info. here or send a message to info@riverartsme.org.