new paintings

Paul Brahms invites one and all to his opening this Thursday, July 1 at 5 PM. Come see what this prolific painter is all about. He's in big demand for commissions at this time of year, but still manages to capture the island, rusty relics, and objects of his fancy.

Stop in this week during the show and meet Paul. Hours: 11 - 6 daily til through July 7.
The Gem Gallery is up the hill from the ferry, left on Island Avenue and just before the
Post Office.

found heart

The Gem Gallery is once again OPEN for summer! This unassuming venue at 62 Island Avenue on Peaks Island will now hang out the sign, 11 AM - 6 PM daily.

Summer resident Dustine Price's "Found Heart" is an exuberant mix of assemblage and wordplay. Dustine graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art and has taught art at all levels. Currently working in elementary schools and juggling small children, her work reflects an optimism and wit, with resourceful use of unexpected materials.



The opening reception was held Friday evening, June 25.



Dustine enjoys mixing media at every opportunity.



This small sculpture is like a curious cross between Buddha and Yellow Submarine.



Dustine identifies with her mermaid creation.



The upcoming schedule promises to be pretty lively:

7/1-7/7 Paul Brahms
7/8-7/14 Lavendier Myers
7/15-7/21 Diane Wiencke
7/22-7/28 Carol Cartier
7/29-8/11 Norm Proulx and Claudia Whitman
8/12-8/18 Paula Coward
8/19-8/25 Jane Banquer

Check here for updates on what's happening!

Stop in and meet the artists. Featured artists exhibit in the rear gallery, with over 20 island artists sharing space in the front gallery. Something for everyone, from
jewelry to glassware, pottery to prints, oils to books.

We are only a breezy 15 minutes from Portland.

lovies at the Gem

Anne Romanyshyn, Fran Houston, and Phil Munn share the love at the Gem Gallery's sunny book launch party on May 31 for Fran Houston's "For the Love of Peaks."

Fran began collecting the stories of island elders, interviewing and photographing them a couple of years ago. She exhibited her photographs at the Gem Gallery last summer and responded to the immediate demand for a book by applying for a grant. With intrepid diligence, some funding from the Maine Arts Commission and the Maine Humanities Council, and support from islanders, Fran's book took shape.

Here, Nancy 3 Hoffman, Island Times editor Kevin Attra, and Rhonda Dale combine their acoustic genius on the street.



You really can't beat live music to make a celebration complete.



"For the Love of Peaks" is available at the Gem and Longfellow Books.

Meanwhile, the Gem will hold an opening reception on Saturday, June 19 for the annual Affordable Art show from 5 - 8 PM. Come meet the folks in this island collective.

A peek at what's currently on view:

paintings by Norm Proulx from a series on local mills



delicate drawings by Jane Banquer, such as this momento of a trip to Paris




a whole shelf of variety, with encaustics by Diane Wiencke, a pastel of peonies by Jamie Hogan, and a basket woven by Martha Morris Gibson



how about a hand painted folksy bench by Kathy Newell and a dreamy field of blue by Adam Wilson?



There is all this and much more: jewelry, oils, glass, photographs, pottery and more books. Peaks Island boasts very diverse makers and creators. Stop in this weekend and get maps for Saturday's first Art Walk of the summer.