Art in the Capitol

The Art in the Capitol program features work throughout the Capitol Complex and offers Maine artists an additional venue for their work. It is designed to expand the audience for Maine artists or artists working in Maine on Maine-based themes.

All Art in the Capitol exhibits are free and open to the public. Exhibitions are self-guided and may be viewed during the building hours where the exhibition is on display. Building hours: Maine Arts Commission Office 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; Capitol and Burton M. Cross Buildings 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information about Art in the Capitol, contact Julie Horn, Visual Arts Director at vog.eniam@nroh.eiluj.

CURRENTLY ON DISPLAY

"Four" - May 1- August 30, 2018 

 The Maine Arts Commission is proud to present an exhibition of four talented Maine artists, who in 2016 embarked on a year-long collaborative project entitled “Four”. They joined together to support, stimulate and challenge their individual creative belief systems to delve deeper into the unknown.

They live as career artists, educators, and friends, but together have committed to a goal to generate a collaborative process-driven visual and tactile dialog, exploring the theme of the four elements (air, fire, water, earth) through the lens of the Maine environment. Their primary concerted function is to work researching and building new visual vocabulary together.

Holly Berry, Very Late Afternoon, linocut 

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Holly Berry- Lives and works in Waldoboro, ME. Her work is, “…influenced by the patterns and structures found in folk-art and the decorative arts.” For her, printmaking stems from a love of making things by hand and respect for craftsmanship.

For more information about Holly and her work, visit hollyberrydesign.com

Marguerite Lawler – Lives and works in Portland, ME. In 2017 she began and body of work that focused on the impact of shadows and light on the interior landscape of Maine, but most recently it has evolved to include the coastline and islands.  

For more information about Marguerite and her work, visit margueritelawler.com

Molly Mains- Lives and works in Bridgton, ME and states that her creative process “involves a progression of focusing in and simplifying rather than a literal interpretation of nature.” Recently she’s been experimenting with gelatin monotypes to emphasize the translucency of color.

For more information about Molly and her work, visit mollymains.com

 Marguerite Lawler, Underneath, oil

Wendy Newcomb- Lives and works in Sebago, ME where she prefers early morning and late afternoon light for its golden hues and long shadows. She states that by recreating her visual experience, “…she wants to give the viewer a sense of being in that moment with her.”

For more information about Wendy and her work, visit wendynewcomb.com

Works in this exhibition can be found on both the first and second floors of the State House.   Wendy Newcomb, Spring Gorge, oil 

Molly Mains, Mountain Serenity, multimedia

If interested in purchasing any of the artwork, please contact the artist directly through their website.

Recent Exhibitions

Maine Veteran Artists Showcase 

January 2 - April 30, 2018 

  The Maine Arts Commission is proud to present an exhibition of Veteran’s work in partnership with The VA Maine Healthcare Systems-Togus. These artworks on display are created by Veteran Maine artists. A majority of the work can be viewed throughout the Capitol Complex, hanging predominantly in the Burton M. Cross Building.

The Togus facility provides a variety of outpatient and adaptive therapy programs for Maine’s Veteran population including visual arts, poetry and performance. This therapy is individualized, incorporating a Veteran's past, present and future interests and lifestyle.  Weaving the concept of healthy living into treatment ensures improved functioning, enhanced independence and successful involvement in all aspects of life. Their goal is to promote lifelong health and well-being through regular participation in meaningful leisure pursuits, regardless of disability.  This exhibit serves to recognize veterans' service, showcase their art or craft, and encourage them to pursue their passion. It is the Art Commission's hope that every veteran feels that he or she has a place to promote their art, no matter their skill level or their passion. Please take the time to read the wall labels accompanying the work to learn more about these talented and dedicated individuals, including quotes about how art plays a key role in their health and quality of life.

This program asks that you show your support for those that have served by purchasing and displaying their art. If Interested, please contact Courtney Oliver at vog.av@revilO.yentruoC.   Photo: San Pao I Left the WAR,  16 x 20. 

EVENT INFORMATION:  Join us in celebrating veteran artists of Maine who are participating in the current Art In the Capitol Show at the Maine State House. The Veterans Art Appreciation Ceremony  will convene at the Hall of Flags from 1-3 p.m. on January 18. 

Artists of the Forest

September 19 - December 31, 2017 

Artists of the Forest is based on the words, works and images of traditional artists who live and work in the largest expanse of intact forest in the eastern United States- The Northern Forest. 

This region is America’s oldest working woodlands and is also home to a remarkable range of traditional artists. Whether shaping snowshoes, building birch bark canoes or crafting twig furniture, these artists artfully balance skill with traditional knowledge – keeping alive an important part of this region’s heritage.

Many of these art forms continue because they fit into a self-sufficient lifestyle that is an essential part of living in the region. Such practices continue because their makers choose to keep them going, adapting them to fit contemporary circumstances and new markets, while at the same time, affording them the freedom to live and work in a place they love.

Being able to rely on one’s own talents and utilize nearby resources has great resonance for these artists who make this region their home, requiring a strong sense of purpose, resourcefulness and ingenuity. Featuring portraits of such traditional artists as Woodcarver Tom Cote, Canoe Maker Steve Cayard, Furniture maker Melvin Roy and Snowshoe maker Bill Mackowski, the touring exhibit explores these artists deep connection to the woods and the work they create.

 Organized by Cultural Resources, the exhibit toured the Northern Forest region for two years and featured the work of participating artists. It was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, The Quimby Family Foundation and the Maine Community Foundation.

Woodcarving by Tom Cote, Limestone, photo by Peter Dembski 

Please click here to view past exhibitions.