Art and Conservation Converge at Katahdin Lake

Now-May 24, 2008

For immediate release- January 23, 2008

Part of the Maine Center for Creativity’s mission as a non-profit organization is to “spotlight the creativity and innovation that abounds in Maine”. One cannot help but notice when artists and conservationists converge to create a legacy for future generations. To celebrate this accomplishment more than 18 artists involved in the Katahdin Lake Campaign will show their work in 3 venues across the state of Maine simultaneously.

In Greater Portland, starting February 2, the Jameson Art Group presents Katahdin: The Lake and Her Artists. The Jameson show celebrates the artists’ vision, interpretation, and expression and runs through March 15, 2008. Hours are Monday thru Saturday, 10:00am-6:00pm and the gallery is located at 305 Commercial Street. The public is invited to an opening reception to meet the artists, Saturday, Feb. 2 from 1:00pm-3:00pm. www.jamesongallery.com

In Lewiston/Auburn, The Bates College Museum of Art presents the exhibition Taking Different Trails: The Artists’ Journey to Katahdin Lake. The exhibition is open now and runs through May 24, 2008. This show highlights the Katahdin Lake Campaign that helped conserve a piece of the Maine wilderness containing a pristine Katahdin Lake, an old growth forest, and a view that has inspired generations of artists. Hours and location at www.bates.edu

In Millinocket, where these artists travel to paint Katahdin and Katahdin Lake, the North Light Gallery is showing their work currently and throughout the year. In an area where conservation of wilderness is constantly in flux, the work of these artists serves to illustrate the efforts of conservation in the Katahdin region. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00am -6:00pm and is located in the center of town on Penobscot Avenue. More information at www.artnorthlight.com

All of the participating artists are among those involved in the Katahdin Lake Campaign. Through a partnership of local and national conservation organizations and approval by the Maine State legislature, a massive yearlong fund raising effort was undertaken, kicked off by the artists in July of 2006. The acquisition of 4,119 acres of land including the 649-acre Katahdin Lake in 2006 and its subsequent transfer by deed to Baxter State Park was an historic achievement for the people of Maine.

The artists are hearty souls who celebrate in various mediums the Mountain, the Lake, and surrounding landscapes. These are the artists who hike the 3.5 miles into the Lake from the nearest parking spot and often stay for long periods roughing it at the Katahdin Lake wilderness camps for views that have captivated artists for 150 years. These artists, from all over Maine, are:

Bill Bentley	Milton Christianson	Elaine Crossman
Marsha Donahue	Evelyn Dunphy	Deborah Grabber
Chris Huntington	Bill Landmesser	David Little
Bruce MacDonald	Abbott Meader	Caren-Marie Michel
Jerry Monkman	Chris Polson	Jym St. Pierre
Paul Thibodeau	Michael Vermette	Ian White

Exhibitions were organized with help from Marsha Donahue, artist and owner of North Light Gallery in Millinocket who, along with artist David Little, co-curated the Bates show with Bates Curator Bill Low and Wes LaFountain, Gallery Director at the Jameson Art Group.
www.jamesongallery.com www.artnorthlight.com www.bates.edu

The Maine Center for Creativity is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating projects and programs that promote the arts and contribute to the vitality of Maine's creative economy. The Board of Directors and volunteers do this in collaboration with artists, businesses and communities by 1) creating high-visibility projects that capture the imagination and foster the art of the possible; 2) shining a spotlight on the innovation and creativity that abounds in Maine; 3) stimulating innovative enterprise through regional, national and international partnerships, and educational initiatives; 4) creating high-visibility projects that capture the imagination and foster the art of the possible.

For more information about the Maine Center for Creativity check out our web site at www.mainecenterforcreativity.org or call Jean Maginnis, Executive Director, at 207.775.4100 ext.240

This 22" x 30 watercolor painting "Open Water, February, Katahdin Lake” by Michael Vermette features Bridget Besaw who just released Wilderness Without, Wilderness Within, photographically documenting the Thoreau-Wabnaki Trail, cross country skiing across Katahdin Lake at this time last year