KIN

The work of Jackman Wood and Diane Wiencke
Paintings, Prints and Animation
Opening Reception Saturday July 17th 5-8
Show runs through Wednesday July 21

carol cartier's upcoming show

I'm working on new pieces for my upcoming show at the Gem on July 23. Here's a preview of the progress.



These are pieces of coral from Coral Bay, St. John, US Virgin Islands. My family and I visited 2 years ago. I tried to find an entire alphabet. Fat chance. Must return.



Desk mess.



The deer"skull" is a broken lobster buoy. The eyes wink. The group of tags are part of a piece that celebrates the gorgeous simple specimen label.



This is an unassembled assemblage of a seal! The dude does not have his tattoos yet.



Here are 2 birds. one is made from beach-combed finds the other from tin and vintage protractors.
lots more to do. I'm out of my tree.

Come to my Cabinet of Curiosities. July 23 5-8
Secrets will be revealed.

light and water

The Gem Gallery is now showing paintings by Lavendier Myers, wood sculptures by Steve B. King, and jewelry by Betsy Stout. It makes for a fresh combination of media, forms, and purpose.

Lavendier's series of acrylics feature color rippling across watery surfaces. Perfect for a steamy summer. Her bold strokes splash across the canvas with joyful energy.

Steve works in wood, light, and time. His sculpture in the corner is whimsical and yet holds great presence, echoing the curves and elipses found in Lavendier's paintings.



The delicate silver, stone, and bead creations by Betsy hang like droplets around the gallery.

The show is up through July 14. Be sure to stop in and meet the artists, who will man the gallery from 11 AM to 6 PM daily.

Paul Brahm's show, which you may have missed, was filled to the brim with his sun-spangled paintings of people at the island shore.



Here is Paul, reflected in Dustine Price's assemblage mirror, discussing a commission in the front room of the gallery.



Summer shows change weekly, so stop in often. The back gallery rotates exhibits on Thursdays, while the front gallery houses the work of over 20 artists in the collective, with regular updates of art fresh from the hands of island makers.

The front door is blooming with flowers, and Dustine Price's assemblage mermaid beckons the curious.



Do stop in!

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.

gem back in bloom

The Gem Gallery is open again, with fresh works and some new members. A reception was held in the gallery on March 26 to welcome Kathy Newell, Paula Coward, Adam Wilson, Laura Glendening, and Jackman Wood.

Below is a display of ceramic cups by Peg Astarita and jewelry by Betsy Stout.



We're such a diverse group: from paint to pastel, prints to photographs, fiber arts and glass, jewelry and assemblage. The common denominator is a connection to Peaks Island. Many members are long-time year-round residents and some have just left their hearts here on the rock.

This is a Diane Wiencke painting paired with a fish vase by Peg Astarita.




Kathy Newell works in many materials but with a signature folk art aesthetic, such as this hooked rug.



Painter Paul Brahms is showing a series of work featuring vehicles, each one a character in a road trip of the mind.



The Gem is open on Saturdays and Sundays from noon - 5 PM. Call 766-5600 for more information. We're located up the hill from the Casco Bay Lines ferry. Take a left at the ice cream store and we're right before the Post Office. Come on in and meet your artist!

think pink

The Gem hosted another Think Pink Give Love show with fresh work ranging from glass to wearable art to encaustics.

Here is a woodblock print by Jane Banquer next to painting by Norm Proulx.



Peg Astarita created this lovey dovey button mirror.



Gallery members are preparing for the next group show, "Undone" which opens on March 12. This will be touch on issues of dementia and coping with Alzheimers.

Stay tuned for more events!