November 14, 2025

For immediate release

Maine Art Gallery hires Jacqueline Crucet as Gallery Manager

It’s been a very good year for the Maine Art Gallery (MAG), and the members who attended its recent annual meeting in person or via Zoom were well pleased. Gallery attendance and sales nearly doubled from the previous year and the organization secured funding from several grantors for the restoration of the windows and cupola of its historic building. In addition, visions for the future continue to look bright with the hiring of Jacqueline Crucet as Gallery Manager.

Jacqueline will replace Kerry Hadley, who is retiring after guiding project management and development activities of the organization for the past five years. She will take over these duties as well as that of the onsite gallery administrator. An arts and cultural leader with extensive experience managing exhibitions, community programs, and nonprofit partnerships, Crucet has proven her skills in strategic planning and revitalizing cultural spaces. 

In her acceptance of the position, Crucet stated, ”I am delighted to join Maine Art Gallery--one of the longest running arts organizations in the state---and to work alongside the Board, Artists, Volunteers, and Community Partners to strengthen MAG's role as a vibrant center for visual art that supports artists and creates community.”She holds a BA in American Studies and a Master’s in Public Administration.

The day was bittersweet, with the retirement of Kerry Hadley and the end of term for Richard Riese, president of the Board of Trustees for the past three years. Kay Liss will be the new president.  Other officers elected at the meeting include Vice President Jonathan Lavan, Treasurer, John Sawyer, and Secretary, Sarah Fisher.  Three new members of the board were approved.  They are artists Christine Aston and Emily Hopkins of Lincolnville and photographer, graphic designer and editor David Griffin of Alna.

Centerpiece of the gallery’s successful 2025 season was a three-month centenary exhibit of works by Joseph Fiore. This show was held in partnership with Maine Farmland Trust (MFT), which holds title to the works. Sales of paintings produced strong art sales revenues for both organizations and opened new audiences for both. The Fiore exhibit was paired with two juried members shows, Made in Maine and Plein Air: Paint it Maine. In May, MAG hosted its annual K-12 student show, and the season opened in June with a juried show, Whimsy:Flights of Fancy.

Throughout the season, exhibits were accompanied by artist talks and classes on various painting methods. Highlights included a discussion about the medium of collage by several artists in the Whimsy exhibit, talks related to the Fiore exhibit by its curator, David Dewey and by Michel Droge and Jude Valentine, two Maine artists who were past residents of the Joseph A. Fiore Art Center, plus a concert by Joseph Fiore’s daughter, a jazz musician. A first-time class on Eastern calligraphy with Kichung Lizee filled quickly.

A nonprofit organization since 1958, The Maine Art Gallery, located at 15 Warren Street, Wiscasset, is dedicated to the advancement and preservation of the visual, fine and applied arts through exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations and educational programs for children and adults. More information can be found at www.maineartgallerywiscasset.org and on Facebook at Maine Art Gallery Wiscasset. Email info@maineartgallerywiscasset.org or phone (207) 687-8143.