Art Guild of the Kennebunks -"Exploring Creative Expression since 1980"

The AGK show is now open with an opening reception tonight from 4-6pm. The reception is open to the public and it's a beautiful day to view the art on display.

April 15 is the deadline! Are you ready?
For the application and more information please visit our website.

Reminder - April 15 is the deadline for submitting!

Applications to be juried into the Guild are now online! Please use the website link in the bio for instructions and to download the application.

Noted Pastelist Wade Zahares to Present at Brick Store

Noted pastel artist Wade Zahares will present his work and demonstrate his artistic process at the Brick Store Museum’s Program Center on Thursday, November 9, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The event is free and Open to the public.

The presentation will center on “painting house portraits,” step-by-step, from early sketches to the completed work and will include examples of such work over a period of years.

This presentation is sponsored by the Art Guild of the Kennebunks in an effort, according to Guild President Linda Van Tassel, “to maintain a vital place in the community for the visual arts…so important as a means to sharpen our appreciation of both our natural and cultural environments.”

A long ago graduate of Kennebunk High School, Zahares began his college career at the University of Maine-Orono, subsequently transferring to the Maryland Institute, College of Art, in Baltimore, from which he graduated in 1983. Following a backpacking trip around Europe, which he describes as among his most memorable experiences, he settled in Cambridge Massachusetts and got serious about his art.

He has since won numerous awards for a body of work which includes children’s books, natural and urban scenes and, of course, House Portraits, the subject of his upcoming presentation. His first book for children, Window Music, published in 1988, was noted by both Time Magazine and the New York Times as one of the best picture books of the year. Zahares has a total of eight children’s books to his credit.

In addition to several high profile commissions, his work is represented in the permanent collection of the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln and the Addison Gallery of
American Art in Andover, Massachusetts.

Zahares resides in Lyman, where he maintains a five-acre farm devoted almost exclusively to flowers…which sells at his roadside stand beside the farm.

Copies of his books, prints, note cards and other art will be available for purchase.

"The Hoodlums of Dirty Cow Farm" by Joseph Cousins

That’s right, an acrylic painting by Joseph Cousins of Freeport, titled
“The Hoodlums of Dirty Cow Farm” won Best-in-Show in the annual Awards Show of the Art Guild of the Kennebunks held in Late August.

Guild President Linda Van Tassell described the event as “spectacular. Top to bottom, the work was first rate. All of our artists have reason to be proud.”

Cousins was among 30 artists from Southern Maine and neighboring New Hampshire, all members of the Guild, to enter work in the competition. His piece was described by judges as “evocative of Maxfield Parrish's magical use of light and color, it pulls the viewer across the room, tempting us to step in.”
Speaking of the piece himself, Cousins pointed to the crows, prominent in the foreground. “They are marvelous subjects to paint,” he said, “but they have the look and frequently the behavior of Hoodlums.” As for the farm, “I saw a farm like this once, just bogged down in mud…and the cows…well, they were bogged down, too. Hence the name: Dirty Cow Farm. It just felt right.

Judges Mary Ledue-Bell and Jeffrey Bell considered six categories of media. First place winners included Robert Milashewski (acrylic), Mike Maron (oil), Ellen Pelletier (pastel), Jan Van Tassell (watercolor), Carol McLeod (Photography) and Susan Colburn Motta (mixed media).

Both judges are artists in their own right, graduates of the University of Southern Maine and hold teaching positions at the University of Southern Maine. Mr. Ledue’s principal interest is sculpture and ceramics; Ms. Ledue has concentrated on painting.

Also on display during the three-day show was an acrylic piece by Dee Burdick entitled “Along the Shore”. It was raffled to support the Guild’s annual scholarship which goes to a Kennebunk High School senior with a demonstrated interest and ability in the arts. The winner of that painting was Donna Cote of
Dayton. The scholarship will be presented to a 2024 graduate of Kennebunk High School. The 2023 winner of the scholarship was Emily Mains whose artistic interest is fine metalwork.

The Art Guild of the Kennebunks is a juried organization supporting
artists in Southern Maine and surrounding areas.

The Greatest Art Awards Show of The Year

It may not be New York, but to Maine tourists and residents, alike, the annual Awards Show of the Art Guild of the Kennebunks is The Greatest Arts Awards Show of The Year: an opportunity to see some of the best work by Maine Artists —and to meet the artists themselves at an opening reception on Friday, August 18 from 4 PM to 6 PM.
The show and reception will be held at The Community Center, 8 Temple Street in Kennebunkport. Show hours are: Friday, August 18: 10 AM - 6 PM; Saturday, August 19: 10 AM - 4 PM; and Sunday, August 20: NOON - 4:PM.
According to Guild President Linda Van Tassel, “The work of participating artists will be judged in six categories: oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, photography and mixed media."
All work on display is for sale. In addition, raffle tickets may be purchased at the door for a work by Guild Artist Dee Burdick. Each year the guild raffles a painting in order to provide a scholarship for a Kennebunk High School student who has shown both interest and achievement in art and will be pursuing further education in fine arts. The winning ticket will be drawn on Sunday afternoon.
Emily Mains, a 2023 graduate is the most recent recipient of the Guild’s scholarship award.
Recent “Best in Show” winners, include Susan Hannah for Over the River, Dawn Maron for The Dock at Cape Porpoise and Peter Hoff for First Ice.

Courtesy Photo: “Tied Up” by Linda Van Tassel, watercolor on paper

“Summer Celebration of Art" Show & Sale

Community House, 8 Temple Street, Kennebunkport
July 21-23: 10:00-6:00 on Friday and Saturday,
12-4:00 on Sunday
Artist's Reception: Friday 4:00-6:00pm

Courtesy Photo: ”Goose Rocks Beach, After the Storm" 15" by 30" oil painting by Art Guild of the Kennebunks member, Dawn Maron

And a lovely time was had by all!
Our Annual Meeting welcomed new members and elected officers.

What a great crowd at today's meet and greet!
Come view this fabulous show by May 24th!

"Along the Shore" 12 x 12" Acrylic by Dee Burdick is our Scholarship Raffle this summer. Purchase your tickets at our current exhibit at the Grand Hotel - Kennebunkport.
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Reception Saturday May 20th 2:30 to 4:30pm.

Guild members dropping art for our newest exhibition opening May 11th at the Grand Hotel - Kennebunkport.

Announcing the once a year opportunity to jury into the Guild.

CALL FOR NEW ARTISTS
The Art Guild of the Kennebunks will receive work from artists seeking to join the Guild on April 22 according to Guild Membership Chair, Judith Kinsman Arneson.
Advance notice of this juried event will give prospective new artist members an opportunity to frame and otherwise finalize their work for presentation. Five works in one medium must be submitted by an applicant.
Various media —all considered ‘fine art’— include oil, acrylic, pastel, pen & ink, pencil, encaustic, mixed media and sculpture (clay, wood, stone, metal).
To be considered, artists must pre-register by Saturday, April 15, including payment of a $25 jury fee. The registration form and instructions may be found on the AGK website: artguildofthekennebunks.com.
Work submitted for consideration is to be dropped off by 12:00 at the exhibit hall behind the Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk on Saturday, April 22. Pick-up following the event is from 2:30 to 3:00.
The guild sponsors several exhibitions each year, including Christmas Prelude, a special awards show in the fall. There are opportunities to attend workshops and programs.

Contact: Judith Kinsman Arneson, Membership Chair
(207) 229-9659
email: [email protected]
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Photo caption

Pastel painting “It is to the Moon” by York artist Catherine Howe. Howe was juried into the Art Guild of the Kennebunks in 2022. Howe said she was inspired to complete the 8” x 10” painting by the full moon and night sky reflecting on the beach.

Courtesy Photo

Congratulations to, Sandra Burne, who won this spectacular original watercolor by artist member, Peter Hoff (pictured right). All proceeds from the raffle will benefit our scholarship fund.

All Originals Art Sale at Prelude!
Shop our members' art Dec. 5th through Dec. 8th
Masonic Hall, 10 North St., Kennebunkport, ME

"Something for every price point!"

Sunday, November 6 from 2 to 4 pm *FREE PROGRAM*

Member artist Steve Hrehovcik will present a free caricature drawing demonstration at the Dane Street Program Center, 4 Dane Street, Kennebunk.

Kennebunk resident, Hrehovcik, is a recent awards winner in the annual Art Awards Exhibit in the multimedia category.

He has been drawing caricature for many years, along with illustrating more than a dozen children’s books and business publications. He works in acrylics, pastel and Pen & Ink. In addition to caricatures, subjects Hrehovcik enjoys creating include portraits, homes and buildings, equestrian and pet art, scenic views, lighthouses and boats.

Hrehovcik said, “Caricatures are fun to draw. The secret is to capture the likeness of the ‘victim’ - model and find playful ways to exaggerate their features. I also like to depict jobs, hobbies and other points of interest in the drawings. I’ve found caricatures have made wonderful birthday and holiday gifts.”

Linda Van Tassell, president of the AGK, said, “Steve’s caricature drawing demonstration is just one of the many programs the Art Guild of the Kennebunks offers. The guild is made up of professional artists who display their work in a number of exhibits throughout the year.”

Photos from our annual Awards Show that was held Oct. 1st and 2nd, 2022. Members and friends and a great crowd of visitors enjoyed art and conversation.

Join the Guild for our Annual Awards Show
Sat. Oct. 1 & Sun. Oct. 2 - 10 to 4 both days.
Juried members bring their BEST art to this competition. YOU could take home a winner!

Come Sunday from 2 to 4 to meet artists and see which art earned ribbons.
8 Temple Street, Kennebunkport
FREE TO ENJOY!

(Image by Susan E. Hanna)