Things to Do in Mid-coast Maine
"Love" Exhibition at River Arts
River Arts is pleased to announce the opening of an exhibition celebrating “Love.” Artists from across Maine answered the call: What do you love? What makes your heart sing?
The exhibiting artists captured their personal interpretations of love culminating in a stunning display of work. Juror, Diana Kerr of Boothbay, selected 73 pieces for this show.
Kerr says, “I loved the variety of mixed media and how artists thought outside the box. . . We all need to embrace the universal expression as humans even in times of darkness.”
location: River Arts, 36 Elm St., Damariscotta. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. FMI: riverartsme.org or call the gallery (207) 563-6868.
image: My Heart Calls Out by Bernadette de Cesare
Inspiration and Imagination: a showcase of 4 Artists
River Arts is pleased to announce Dru Barkalow, Karen Nadeau, Judy Nixon and Helen Warner in the exhibition, “Inspiration and Imagination: A showcase of 4 Artists,” in the River Room. The four artists, who volunteer with River Arts, have combined their talents in a varied show including mixed media, sea glass, jewelry, acrylic, watercolor, and alcohol-based paintings.
location: River Arts, 36 Elm St., Damariscotta, ME. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. FMI: riverartsme.org or call 207-563-6868.
image: (left to right, top and bottom) Karen Nadeau, Helen Warner, Judy Nixon, Dru Barkalow
An Evening of Comedy with Karen Morgan
West Bay Rotary Club of Camden is welcoming comedian Karen Morgan and her “Shiny Happy People Laughing” comedy show. The evening promises to be filled with nostalgic and hilarious comedy material, as Karen takes a hysterical trip back to a time when rocks were pets, carpets were shag, and bike seats were bananas. This clean comedy show is particularly suited for folks of a certain age who grew up playing outside without bike helmets, adult supervision, or bottled water-and still managed to survive. By late March in Maine we all need some levity and laughter! All proceeds from ticket sales support charities and non-profits.
All seats reserved and $35. FMI and tickets: www.camdenoperahouse.com
location: Camden Opera House, 29 Elm Street., Camden, ME. Doors open at 7pm.
Musings on the Creative Spectacle with David Peloquin
David Peloquin, a lifetime artist, drawing instructor, and professional musician, hosts a talk and open discussion, "Musings on the Creative Spectacle" at River Arts in Damariscotta, Maine. The gallery welcomes all to this free event.
Peloquin will explore three major themes: the nature of art, the process of making art, and the role of the viewer. Anyone involved in art making or with an interest in the arts, is invited to attend. The setting will be informal and interactive. Following opening remarks by Peloquin on the three major themes, attendees will be invited to participate in an exchange of personal experiences of artistic inspiration, reveries in art making, and reflections on art viewing.
location: River Arts, 36 Elm St., Damariscotta, Maine. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10am to 4pm. FMI: call the gallery at 207-563-6868 or email info@riverartsme.org.
image: David Peloquin
Book Arts Bazaar
A festival with Book Artists, papermakers, bookbinders, printmakers, educators, writers, and all things related to the book! Free and open to the public.
FMI: please click here.
location: McGoldrick Center for Career and Student Success,| 35 Bedford St (2nd Floor), Portland, ME
Making Japanese Stab Bindings
Together we will explore multiple decorative sewing patterns in this useful book for list writers & those who journal. Tools & materials provided.
Instructor Joelle Webber has been a book artist for over 40 years. At Mermaid Bindery, she rebinds well loved books, binds custom books and boxes, & creates her own artist books and craft work to sell. Building on her creative experience, she designs workshops for many communities of makers.
Find more information and class details here.
location: Village Handcraft, Wiscasset, 52 Water St. Wiscasset, ME 04578, 207-814-8720
Making Button Hole Books
Learn to make a multi-gathering book that includes decorative papers stitched into a paper cover. Great for beginner binders with no glue needed. Tools & materials provided.
Instructor Joelle Webber has been a book artist for over 40 years. At Mermaid Bindery she rebinds well loved books, binds custom books and boxes, & creates her own artist books and craft work to sell. Building on her creative experience, she designs workshops for many communities of makers.
FMI and register here.
location: Village Handcraft, 52 Water St., Wiscasset, ME 04578, 207-814-8720
Making Sculpted Paper Flowers
Using techniques like cupping, curling, scoring, spiraling, crimping and fringing, we will create a paper bouquet for Spring. We will be able to make 3-4 flowers in this class. Tools & materials provided.
Instructor Joelle Webber has been a book artist for over 40 years. At Mermaid Bindery, she rebinds well loved books, binds custom books and boxes, & creates her own artist books and craft work to sell. Building on her creative experience, she designs workshops for many communities of makers.
FMI and register here.
location: Boothbay Adult Ed at Wiscasset Middle High School, 272 Gardiner Road, Wiscasset, ME 04578, (207) 882-7722
Making Sculpted Paper Flowers (3 sessions)
This 3-session class begins with decorating paste papers, then learning many paper sculpting techniques to make our flowers and leaves. We will be able to make 6 or more flowers in this class. Tools & materials provided.
Class meetings are on three successive Tuesdays: April 22, 29, and May 6; 5:30-7:30pm.
Instructor Joelle Webber has been a book artist for over 40 years. At Mermaid Bindery, she rebinds well loved books, binds custom books and boxes, & creates her own artist books and craft work to sell. Building on her creative experience, she designs workshops for many communities of makers.
FMI and register here.
location: Merrymeeting Adult Education, 35 Republic Ave, Topsham, ME 04086, 207)729-7323
Wiscasset Earth Day
This year’s Wiscasset Earth Day celebration features money- and energy-saving tips and services from local businesses, a wide range of local environmental organizations and artists, activities for kids, and much more.
Last year’s event was a great success with a beehive raffle from the Lincoln County Beekeeping Association, a wildlife ambassador from Chewonki, people trying out electric bicycles and mowers, and much more. This year’s event will feature even more local organizations and businesses, including local food trucks and vendors. The event is organized by the Wiscasset Climate Action Team, a town committee.
The full list of vendors, activities and more will be shared on the event Facebook page as they are confirmed. Local organizations and businesses interested in participating can email WiscassetClimate@gmail.com with inquiries.
location: Wiscasset Community Center, 242 Gardiner Rd., Wiscasset, ME 04578
image: Wiscasset Earth Day 2024
An Evening with Tess Gerritsen & Kathryn Miles: An Author-to-Author Event
Writers Tess Gerritsen and Kathryn Miles, who both came from away but have lived and worked in Maine for many years, will share the stage at Midcoast Literacy's third annual Author-to-Author fundraiser. The evening will feature the two authors and friends reading from their work and in conversation about their inspirations and craft. A reception and meet-and-greet with the authors will follow, and copies of their books will be available for purchase. (doors open at 6pm)
location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick, 1 Middle St., Brunswick, ME
Tickets: $35 per person; available by calling (207) 443-6384 or by visiting our website at https://midcoastliteracy.org/index.php/about-us/author-to-author-fundraiser/event-tickets
FMI: https://midcoastliteracy.org/index.php/about-us/author-to-author-fundraiser
Spring Plant Sale
At the Garden Club of Wiscasset’s annual Plant Sale, you will find perennials, shrubs, baked goods, and a children’s table!
This is an outdoor sale, rain or shine. Pay via cash, check, credit cards. Proceeds from the sale support scholarships and the GCW’s many town-wide beautification projects!
FMI: send a message to Lisa, lhf410@yahoo.com
location: Wiscasset Municipal Building, Route 1, Wiscasset, Maine
Wiscasset Wormfest
Wormfest celebrates the unique heritage and vibrant spirit of Wiscasset, the "worm capital of the world." Through food, fun, and festivities, we bring our community together to honor our working waterfront, cherish local traditions, and share the charm of our town with neighbors and visitors alike.
Kids activities, touch tank, food trucks, realty races, mudpie eating contest, cover bands . . . !
location: Railroad Ave., Wiscasset Village.
Fiore at 100: Maine Observed
Joseph Fiore (1925-2008) was a widely respected artist and active member of the Maine Art Gallery in Wiscasset during the 1960s and ‘70s. In celebration of the hundredth year of his birth, the MAG is partnering with Maine Farmland Trust on this exclusive and overdue major retrospective. An opening reception for the public will be held on June 21 and will be enhanced by several related events. A catalogue with an appreciation by art writer Suzette McAvoy will accompany the show.
For more details, visit www.maineartgallerywiscasset.org
location: Maine Art Gallery, 15 Warren St., Wiscasset, Maine 04578
image: Bald Rock by Joseph Fiore
Wiscasset Art Walk
Wiscasset Art Walk is a summertime celebration of art, music, performance, and history, located in the beautiful 19th century Village of Wiscasset, along the sparkling Sheepscot River.
Visit artist-owned galleries and the Village’s fine collection of boutique shops and antique stores. Look for music in the galleries, and performers, artists, and community groups on the sidewalks. Sample Village restaurants or eat casually from a food truck during this visitor-friendly evening.
All events are free and family-friendly with plentiful free parking throughout the Village. The WAW evenings are held on the last Thursday of the summer months, June through September, 4-7pm.
image: Torren Nehrboss plays harp in Sylvan Gallery, June 2024. Photo courtesy of Bob Bond.
Wiscasset Art Walk
Wiscasset Art Walk is a summertime celebration of art, music, performance, and history, located in the beautiful 19th century Village of Wiscasset, along the sparkling Sheepscot River. During the evening, enjoy a tour of the Village aboard Woodfield Farm’s horse-drawn wagon - wave to passersby and you be the entertainment!
Visit artist-owned galleries and the Village’s fine collection of boutique shops and antique stores. Look for music in the galleries, and performers, artists, and community groups on the sidewalks. Sample Village restaurants or eat casually from a food truck during this visitor-friendly evening.
All events are free, including the wagon rides, and family-friendly with plentiful free parking throughout the Village.
image: Touring Wiscasset Village aboard Woodfield Farm’s horse-drawn wagon. Photo courtesy Lucia Droby.
Wiscasset Art Walk
Featuring Maine Youth Circus! Enjoy the youthful exuberance of young performers as they prance, dance, and juggle on the sidewalks of Wiscasset Village!
Visit artist-owned galleries and the Village’s fine collection of boutique shops and antique stores, open for the evening. Look for music and nibbles in the galleries, and musicians, artists, and community groups on the sidewalks. Sample Village restaurants or eat casually from a food truck during this visitor-friendly evening. Park once in one of the many Village parking lots and stroll the night away!
image: Garden Club vols. welcome visitors while selling freshly cut bouquets and raise funds for community projects! Photo by Bob Bond.
Wiscasset Art Walk
Wiscasset Art Walk is a seasonal celebration of art, music, performance, and history, located in the beautiful 19th century Village of Wiscasset, ME, along the sparkling Sheepscot River.
During the evening, visit artist-owned galleries and the Village’s fine collection of boutique shops and antiques stores – most of which stay open during WAW. Look for music in the galleries, and performers, artists, and community groups on the sidewalks. Sample Village restaurants or eat casually from a food truck during this visitor-friendly evening.
All events are free and family-friendly with plentiful free parking throughout the Village. For more information, visit the web site .
image: Long Branch Boys. Photo courtesy Bob Bond.
Wiscasset Homes on Tour
Visit a collection of iconic homes in historic Wiscasset Village and environs and discover for yourself why Wiscasset has been called “the prettiest Village in Maine.” Homeowners open their doors to the public for a glimpse at times past and how we live now in these historic places.
Tickets for the tour will be available online and on the day of the tour. For the convenience of tour-goers, a pre-ordered picnic lunch will be available.
More details to come.
Decoratively Bound Books Workshop
We begin this full day book arts workshop by designing our Paste Papers. These decorative papers will then be used to bind two multi-gathering books with decorative stitching. The French Sewn is a twisted decorative stitch sewn on tabs, which will be laced into a folded paper cover. The link stitched book is sewn with two needles into a concertina cover.
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.
FMI here.
location: Artascope Studios, 48 Railroad Suare, Yarmouth, ME 04096, 207-847-4060
Hinged Lidded Box Workshop
Build on your box making skills with the Hinged-Lidded box. This box opens like a book or jewelry box by adding a hinged lid technique. Collage materials will be available to decorate the tops of your boxes in your own unique style.
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.
This is a 3-session class, Tuesdays from 5:30-7:30: March 18, March 25, April 1. FMI here.
location: Merrymeeting Adult Education, 35 Republic Ave, Topsham, ME 04086, 207)729-7323
French Sewn Book Workshop
Join instructor Joelle Webber and learn the tools and techniques of hand book binding with this multi gathering, beginner book structure with a twisted decorative stitching pattern. Tools & materials provided.
Paper artist 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.
FMI here.
location: Wiscasset Middle-High School, 272 Gardiner Rd, Wiscasset, ME 04578, 207-882-7722
DSQ: Haydn & Korngold
This program begins with Haydn's Quartet in D, Op. 20, no 4, written in 1772, and concludes with Erich Korngold's String Quartet in Eb Major, Op. 26 no 2, composed in 1932.
Tickets and additional info. available from www.dapontequartet.org
location: The Barn at Woodlawn, 19 Black House Drive, Ellsworth, ME
Opening Reception for "Love" Exhibition at River Arts
The public is invited to an opening reception for the exhibition “Love.” Many of the contributing artists will be in the gallery to celebrate this inspirational show. Light refreshments will be provided for this afternoon of lively conversation and art.
Artists from across Maine answered the call: What do you love? What makes your heart sing? The exhibiting artists captured their personal interpretations of love culminating in a stunning display of work with 73 pieces selected by juror, Diana Kerr, of Boothbay.
Kerr says, “I loved the variety of mixed media and how artists thought outside the box. . . We all need to embrace the universal expression as humans even in times of darkness.”
location: River Arts, 36 Elm St., Damariscotta. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. FMI: riverartsme.org or call the gallery (207) 563-6868.
image: Ceramic Piece by Catherine Gibson
DSQ: Haydn & Korngold
This program begins with Haydn's Quartet in D, Op. 20, no 4, written in 1772, and concludes with Erich Korngold's String Quartet in Eb Major, Op. 26 no 2, composed in 1932.
Tickets and additional info. available from www.dapontequartet.org
location: Eagle Hill Institute, 59 Eagle Hill Rd, Steuben, ME
DSQ: Haydn & Korngold
This program begins with Haydn's Quartet in D, Op. 20, no 4, written in 1772, and concludes with Erich Korngold's String Quartet in Eb Major, Op. 26 no 2, composed in 1932.
Tickets and additional info. available from www.dapontequartet.org
location: First Church in Belfast, UCC, 8 Court St., Belfast, ME
DSQ: Haydn & Korngold
This program begins with Haydn's Quartet in D, Op. 20, no 4, written in 1772, and concludes with Erich Korngold's String Quartet in Eb Major, Op. 26 no 2, composed in 1932.
Tickets and additional info. available from www.dapontequartet.org
location: Sanford Springvale Historical Society, 505 Main Street, Springvale, ME
DSQ: Haydn & Korngold
This program begins with Haydn's Quartet in D, Op. 20, no 4, written in 1772, and concludes with Erich Korngold's String Quartet in Eb Major, Op. 26 no 2, composed in 1932.
Tickets and additional info. available from www.dapontequartet.org
location: Maine Jewish Museum, 267 Congress Street, Portland, ME
DSQ: Haydn & Korngold
This program begins with Haydn's Quartet in D, Op. 20, no 4, written in 1772, and concludes with Erich Korngold's String Quartet in Eb Major, Op. 26 no 2, composed in 1932.
Tickets and additional info. available from www.dapontequartet.org
location: St. Columba's Episcopal Church, 32 Emery Lane, Boothbay Harbor, ME
Weave Your Own Pack Basket
Ready for an adventure? In this course, we will weave a 21” pack basket. This is our largest basket! This basket will be made with premium reed and will have either an ash or oak handle. All baskets will have a base, feet, and pack straps of various colors. We will also have various color reeds available to give your basket a little color. We will go through step-by step instructions to ensure that all students finish their basket. This class is for any basket ability, even a beginner. Join us to make this beautiful pack basket and learn a skill for life!
Please bring water, lunch (we will have a 30 minute break), snacks, and anything else you need to be comfortable for a full 8-hour day of basket weaving. Fee for class is $140-$160. Registration closes on 2/6.
Location: Coastal Rivers Denny Conservation and Education Center, 12 Round Top Lane, Damariscotta ME 04543
DSQ: Haydn & Korngold
This program begins with Haydn's Quartet in D, Op. 20, no 4, written in 1772, and concludes with Erich Korngold's String Quartet in Eb Major, Op. 26 no 2, composed in 1932.
Tickets and additional info. available from www.dapontequartet.org
location: Lemont Hall 2 Pleasant St., Brunswick, ME
DSQ: Haydn & Korngold
This program begins with Haydn's Quartet in D, Op. 20, no 4, written in 1772, and concludes with Erich Korngold's String Quartet in Eb Major, Op. 26 no 2, composed in 1932.
Tickets and additional info. available from www.dapontequartet.org
location: Union Hall, 24 Central St., Rockport, ME
Slavery and Abolition in 19th Century Maine (via zoom)
Lincoln County Historical Association, in collaboration with the Old Bristol Historical Society, is inviting the community to register for "Slavery and Abolition in 19th Century Maine" featuring Maine author Carol Gardner.
Gardner will draw from her upcoming book, The Divided North: Black and White Families in the Age of Slavery. Maine was bitterly divided about slavery, and her citizens played key roles in supporting and undermining the institution.
This Zoom presentation is free but attendees must first register at www.lincolncountyhistory.org/event/carol-gardner
About Vernal Pools
The Garden Club of Wiscasset invites the public to a program about vernal pools presented by The Chewonki Foundation Traveling Natural History Programs.
The presentation will explain how a wetland that has water for only a few months annually can have such an important impact on amphibian and invertebrate life cycles.
Location: Fellowship Hall, First Congregational Church, 28 High St., Wiscasset, Maine.
Image: GCW member, Ann Light, makes holiday baskets for distribution to community offices and Meals on Wheels recipients.
Artists Invited to ‘LOVE’ at River Arts
Love is in the air at River Arts in Damariscotta. Artists are invited to submit work for the upcoming juried show, “Love.” This exhibition will showcase artists’ exploration and interpretation of love in its many forms. Juror for the show is Diana Kerr of Boothbay.
“Love” is open to all media. Artists may enter two pieces with a size limit of 24” (in any direction) including frame or one piece with a size limit of 50” (in any direction) including frame.
This show is open to members and nonmembers alike. The entry fee is $15 for Members and $30 for Non-Members. Submissions may be delivered to the gallery now until the deadline on Saturday, Feb, 22 at 4 p.m. FMI: www.riverartsme.org or call 563-6868.
“Love” will run from Tuesday, February 25 through Saturday, April 5th with an opening reception on Saturday, March 1, 2 to 4 pm.
location: River Arts Gallery, 36 Elm St., Damariscotta, ME. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
image: Diana Kerr, exhibit juror
Bodies of Water - Winter Retreat
Reconnect to vitality, self, and wellness with a daylong winter retreat. Join Bodies of Water with Kelsy Hartley and set aside the day to explore embodiment and creativity with sauna, writing, and hygge practices. This winter retreat holds the time, space, and support for you to rest, reset, and revitalize body and spirit. You’ll enjoy a 2-hour Nordic spa circuit with a traditional Finnish sauna and water therapies at Waterstruck Wellness, followed by afternoon sessions in embodied writing, creative practices, and a communal dinner. Breakfast snacks and dinner included.
Location details upon registration.
Registration : kelsyhartley.com $185
Crossings: How road ecology is shaping the future of our planet
Join Coastal Rivers for a free, on-line program with Ben Goldfarb, author of Crossings: How road ecology is shaping the future of our planet. Crossings was named one of the best books of 2023 by the New York Times and is a recipient of the Sierra Club’s Rachel Carson Award and the Banff Mountain Book Competition Grand Prize.
FMI and zoom link for registration.
Members' Show Reception at River Arts
The public is invited to meet the artists exhibiting in the River Arts’ Members’ Show, view their artwork, enjoy lively conversation, and enjoy light refreshments.
This year’s Members’ Show show presents a bounty of new work from Maine artists capturing the heartbeat of the contemporary Maine art scene. Works on display include paintings, sculpture, pastel, ceramics, original print making, wood, fiber, and photography.
location: 36 Elm St., Damariscotta, ME. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 to 4.
FMI: www.riverartsme.org or call the gallery (207) 563-6868.
image: Old Guk by Eleanor Zuccola
Members' Show at River Arts
River Arts kicks off the New Year with a winter blockbuster ‘Members’ Show’. A spectacular swash of color fills the gallery in a joyous array of original art. This salon-style exhibition is sure to impress and will chase away any winter doldrums.
[The public is invited to meet the artists, view their artwork, enjoy lively conversation, and enjoy light refreshments at the opening reception on Saturday, January 18, from 2-4pm.]
This year’s show presents a bounty of new work from Maine artists capturing the heartbeat of the contemporary Maine art scene. Works on display include paintings, sculpture, pastel, ceramics, original print making, wood, fiber, and photography.
location: 36 Elm St., Damariscotta, ME. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 to 4.
FMI: www.riverartsme.org or call the gallery (207) 563-6868.
image: River Walk with Company by Wendy Gedanken
Decoratively Bound Books Workshop
We begin this full-day book arts workshop by designing our Paste Papers. These decorative papers will then be used to bind two multi-gathering books with decorative stitching. The French Sewn is a twisted decorative stitch sewn on tabs, which will be laced into a folded paper cover. The link stitched book is sewn with two needles into a concertina cover.
Workshop 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.
Find more information, and register, here.
workshop location: Artascope Studios, 48 Railroad Suare, Yarmouth, ME 04096, 207-847-4060
Art Exhibition: Beyond the Surface
River Arts in Damariscotta celebrates the opening of “Beyond the Surface” in the River Room with a show created by four artists, Holly Anderson Baumm, Alice de Maria, Jon Corneal, and Heather Greene, in four different mediums: fiber, acrylic painting, photography and mixed medium.
A public reception will take place on Saturday, January 18 from 2 to 4 in conjunction with the gallery’s “Members’ Show” reception.
location: River Arts, 36 Elm St., Damariscotta, ME. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 10 to 4. For additional information visit the website: riverartsme.org or call the gallery at 207-563-6868.
image: A Tribute to My Cousins (detail) by Holly Anderson Baumm
Sculpted Paper Flowers Workshop
Join paper artist Joelle Webber to make Sculpted Paper Flowers using techniques like cupping, curling, scoring, spiraling, crimping, and fringing, we will create a paper bouquet of asters, daisies, poppies, roses, lilies, dandelions, cone flowers and more.
Joelle 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.
Learn more about the workshop, and to register in advance, here.
workshop location: Camden Public Library, 55 Main Street, Camden, ME 04843, 207-236-6673
Advanced Writers' Group at Merry Barn
Best-selling author and acclaimed ghost writer, Andrew Wolfendon, is facilitating 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: Meetings are held on 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. 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
Midcoast Maine Miniature Book Exhibition
The Midcoast Maine Book Arts group invites you to visit the Rockland Public Library for their Miniature Book Exhibition! Miniature books, by definition, are expected to be no bigger than 3" x 3" x 3" providing an interesting and fun challenge to book artists. Many libraries have collections of miniature books from much earlier times, including Bibles, devotional books, Shakespeare plays, and more. This exhibition includes work by 15 members of the artist book group.
A reception, open to the public, will be on Tuesday, January 14 from 5:30pm.
Midcoast Maine Book Arts is a collective formed to promote, encourage, and educate working and aspiring book artists in the midcoast Maine area. It seeks to exhibit the work of its members and other book artists, host workshops about artists' books, and to build interest in the general public about this art form. Find the Midcoast Maine Book Arts on Facebook, or join to get notices of meetings and exhibitions by emailing sandy.weisman2@gmail.com.
exhibit location: Rockland Public Library, 80 Union St., Rockland ME 04841, 207-594-0310
image: handmade books by Joelle Webber
Makers Market Craft Fair
Meet the artisans of Westport Island Maine! Visit our Makers Market, which will showcase our amazing Island artists, crafts people, and foodies. Join us in the greenhouse for some handmade, holiday shopping.
location: Sasanoa Brewing, 61 Tarbox Road, Westport, Island, ME, (207) 522-0840
link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/122403293234/user/100037550724858/
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
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
Christmas Cookie Challenge
About a dozen home bakers will be bringing in a platter of their favorite holiday cookies, and a panel of professional bakers will judge for appearance, texture, FLAVOR, seasonality, and presentation. After the judging, the public is invited to purchase cookies, by donation, to enjoy these seasonal treats.(note: cookies go fast!) Proceeds from cookie sales are donated to Wiscasset’s Feed Our Scholars.
The Christmas Cookie Challenge is one of many activities during Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest weekend!
location: AEkeir Brew Pub, 1st fl., 111 Main St., Wiscasset Village, ME 04578
