Sculpture by Maine Artist Selected for Blaine House Public Art Installation 

Patrick Plourde’s“Pinecone Pair with Tassel” chosen for inclusion onthe historic grounds of the Governor’s residence in Augusta 

AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Arts Commission, in partnership with the Blaine House Commission and the Friends of the Blaine House, is pleased to announce that a sculpture by Maine artist Patrick Plourde has been selected to be installed on the grounds of the Blaine House, the residence of the Governor of Maine. 

Plourde’s sculpture, Pinecone Pair with Tassel, was chosen through a multi-phase process led by the Maine Arts Commission, as part of an effort to integrate public art into one of Maine’s most historic civic spaces. 

The sculpture was selected in part for its compatibility with the Blaine House grounds and the historic character of the property. Pinecone motifs already appear throughout the site, including within the residence and in decorative elements of the surrounding fencing. By drawing from this existing visual language, Pinecone Pair with Tassel reinforces and complements the historic setting while introducing a new focal point for visitors. 

The sculpture project is being funded entirely through private support, with fundraising led by the Friends of the Blaine House. No public funds are being used for the acquisition of the artwork. 

“I am pleased with the selection of this sculpture by Patrick Plourde. It is a work that blends with the natural surroundings of the Blaine House andembodies an iconic feature ofthe Maine landscape.  By using reclaimed tools, this sculpture celebrates generations of Maine people whose labor and resilience shapedour state and communities,” said Governor Mills. “I thank the Maine Arts Commission, the Friends of the Blaine House and the Blaine House Commission for helping make this selection.” 

“Patrick Plourde’s sculpture reflects Maine’s forests and fields, the legacy of human labor that shaped them, and the shared symbols of Maine that connect people across the state," said Amy Hausmann, Executive Director of the Maine Arts Commission. "This artwork will offer visitors a welcoming and meaningful point of connection at this historic setting.” 

“Throughout my career, I have stayed true to my vision of bringing life to found objects and creating thoughtful, interesting, and provocative pieces,” said Patrick Plourde. “I am thankful and honored to have been recognized by the Maine Arts Commission, The Blaine House Commission, and the Friends of the Blaine House.  I hope visitors to the State House will enjoy Pinecone Pair with Tassel for years to come. 

About the Artist 

Patrick Plourde, based in Lisbon Falls, is a sculptor and designer with a life-time of experience creating sculpture, studio furniture, and architectural metalwork for residential, commercial, and public spaces. Most notable are Scales, Fore Street and Street and Company restaurants as well as Standard Bakery. 

Patrick received his BFA from Portland School of Art (now Maine College of Art & Design) in 1976.  He attended the prestigious Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in 1977.  His work has been featured in national design publications and commissioned by clients including L.L. Bean, Timberland, and Whole Foods Market. His work is held in private and institutional collections, including the cities of Long View Texas and Pine Dale Wyoming, where he was an artist in residence in the summer of 2014. Patrick’s pinecones and other works grace many homes throughout the U.S. and Canada.  His recent sculpture focuses on seed forms, flowers, and natural imagery created from reclaimed materials.  He is represented by Maine Art Hill in Kennebunk and Gleason Gallery in Boothbay Harbor. 

About Pinecone Pair with Tassel 

Constructed from reclaimed hand tools, Pinecone Pair with Tasselrepurposes shovels once used by Maine farmers, builders, and communities across the state. These materials carry visible marks of labor and stewardship, embedding the history of Maine’s working landscape directly into the work. 

 Reassembled into two large-scale white pinecones, the sculpture draws on a deeply recognizable symbol of Maine. The white pinecone, designated as the state flower in 1895, reflects the origins of the eastern white pine, Maine’s state tree, and speaks to the state’s enduring relationship with its forests, land, and natural identity. 

 Through this transformation of familiar materials, the work offers a shared civic symbol rooted in Maine’s landscape and history, reflecting traditions of labor, creativity, sustainability, and resourcefulness. 

Its form is intended to be immediately recognizable and approachable to visitors of all ages, encouraging moments of reflection, conversation, and informal public interaction while maintaining the dignity of the site. 

The sculpture’s weathering steel surface will develop a natural patina over time, allowing the work to respond to Maine’s changing seasons and integrate seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. 

About the Project 

The Blaine House public art initiative reflects a vision to enhance the cultural and civic experience of one of Maine’s most significant public spaces. The project integrates contemporary art with the historic 1832 Blaine House, the Olmsted Brothers’ 1920 landscape design, and the State House complex across the street. 

The selection followed a statewide open call and multiple rounds of review involving a five-member advisory panel representing arts, curatorial, and public perspectives, along with approvals from the Blaine House Commission and the Capitol Planning Commission. 

More than 30 artists submitted work for consideration. Plourde’s proposal was selected for its thoughtful integration with the historic site and its strong connection to Maine’s cultural and natural landscape. 

Designed for durability and minimal environmental impact, the installation will remain publicly accessible while fitting naturally within the historic grounds. By incorporating contemporary art into this setting, the project creates new opportunities for public engagement with Maine’s artistic legacy and creative future. 

About the Friends of the Blaine House 

The Friends of the Blaine House is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the historic Governor’s residence. Through private fundraising and stewardship, the organization supports projects that maintain the integrity and public accessibility of the Blaine House.