Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is planning a full season of art shows. See below for the latest news, and please check back soon for additional information.

April 3 to May 28
“Local Color” Art Exhibit
Artists’ Reception: Thursday, May 10, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
When:    9-5 daily
Where:  Visitor Center
Price:     Free with Gardens admission (reception free and open to the public)
The focus of this show featuring Maine artists is birds and the plants that help them live.

May 28 to June 3
Plein Air Painting Days
Artists’ Reception: Thursday, June 14, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
When:        9-5 daily
Where:      Gardens grounds
Price:         Free for artists
The Gardens presents a full week during which artists are invited to paint en plein air in the Gardens with free admission. They’re invited to set up their easels wherever they like and paint whatever strikes their fancy. Works will be on exhibit in the Bosarge Family Education Center from June 11-29, and there will be an artists’ reception on Thursday, June 14, from 5-7 p.m., which will be free for the public to attend. Artists should register for Plein Air Days by May 25, leaving their name, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address via e-mail at Valerie@MaineGardens.org or phone at (207) 633-4333, ext.110.

June 1 to July 28
Julie Babb Art Exhibit
Artist’s Reception: Thursday, June 8, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
When:    9-5 daily
Where:  Visitor Center
Price:     Free with Gardens admission (reception free and open to the public)
This exhibit will feature the bird-related art of noted Maine artist Julie Babb.

July 1 to September 30
“On the Wing” Sculpture Show curated by June LaCombe
Artists’ Reception:  Sunday, July 1, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
When:    9-5 daily
Where:  Gardens grounds
Price:     Free with Gardens admission (reception free and open to the public)
Birds hold a mythic place in our imaginations. With transcendent flight, iridescent splendor, migratory genius and melodic song, they are the jewels of nature throughout the world. As we personalize our places with sculpture, birds offer grace to a garden setting. For this exhibition and sale, birds, feathers, and nests both abstracted and representational, in stone, steel, wood and bronze will be featured along with others with wings. This is a two-part show. Interior work and garden scale pieces will be shown in the lobby and butterfly gardens at Maine Audubon (Falmouth) and exterior sculpture will be sited in perennial gardens and woodland trails at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (Boothbay). We highly recommend seeing both exhibitions. Sculpture will be for sale with a percentage of the proceeds going to hosting organizations. Curator, June LaCombe, is selecting sculpture from over 50 artist’s studios throughout New England. Artists include Lise Becu, Ray Carbone, Jim Sardonis, Andreas von Huene, Cabot Lyford, Hank Tyler, Jean Noon, George Sherwood and many others. A series of educational events will be offered at both locations. Check websites for hours and directions.

ON THE WING
Maine Audubon, Falmouth Maine
July 3- September 30th 2012
Opening Reception Tuesday, July 3 from 5:00-6:30
www.maineaudubon.org

For more information contact:
June LaCombe SCULPTURE
jlacombe@maine.rr.com
207-688-4468

July 10 to August 31
“Watershed’s Legends: 25 Years of Residencies”
Artists’ Reception: Thursday, July 12, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
When:    9-5 daily
Where:  Visitor Center
Price:     Free with Gardens admission (reception free and open to the public)
Since 1986, more than 1,000 national and international artists have had a residency at the Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Newcastle, Maine. To celebrate Watershed’s 25th anniversary and the special environment that has nurtured creativity among emerging and mid- and late-career artists, guest curator Judith Schwartz has selected a representative artists from each year of Watershed’s existence. These, like candles on a cake, collectively exemplify the diversity and exuberance of a unique generation of contemporary ceramic art.