Archive for the ‘Museums’ Category:
From the 1940s to 1970s, the poultry industry was an important part of Maine’s economy. Belfast was known as the “Broiler Capitol of the World,” and major farms in various parts of the state raised chickens for meat or to produce eggs. The plant shown in this photograph, state of the art when it opened in 1956, collected, processed, and packaged eggs from area poultry houses. To learn more about this plant and what is there today, click here. For a great overview of the rise and fall of Maine’s poultry industry, read this 2010 article, “The Last of the Chicken Farmers,” from the Bangor Daily News.
Robert Doisneau gained remarkable access to the artists working in Paris from 1937 onwards. He visited their studios and caught them in various private moments: working, reflecting, and even playing with their children. This book shares Doisneau’s intimate view on the work and lives of these artists.
Available in the Museum Store.
Some images are timeless. This photograph was recently uploaded to Maine Memory Network by the Swan’s Island Educational Society which is participating in MHS’s Maine Community Heritage Project this year. Their website dedicated to the Island’s history will launch on Maine Memory in May. Stay tuned! Click here to see the ninety items they have put on Maine Memory so far.
Degas and the Nude explores the artist’s treatment of the nude figure from his early years in the 1850s and 1860s, through his triumphs in the 1870s and 1880s, all the way to his last decades when this theme–in paintings, pastels, drawings, prints, and sculpture–reigned over his artistic production.
Available in the Museum Store.
This poster has been rediscovered. Last year, a customer in Europe purchased a print of this image from our e-commerce website Vintage Maine Images to hang in her kitchen. In turn, the kitchen was photographed for a notable design magazine. Readers noticed, leading to a flurry of international orders. The simply-designed poster from 1917 captures a contemporary spirit: a movement towards heightened awareness about our food–where it comes from, how it’s produced, what’s in it, and how it reflects our values.
Youth Art Month On view through April 1 This year celebrates the 32nd anniversary of Youth Art Month Exhibitions in Maine and the 18th annual exhibition at the Museum. Take a glimpse into the future of art in Maine! Visit our Facebook page for an album of selected works.
Kennebec Valley Community College Archive recently created two online exhibits that explore changes in vocational education in central Maine during the 20th century. The first focuses on the efforts of Carlton Fogg–a machinist, teacher, and tireless advocate for vocational-technical education–to establish Kennebec Valley Vocational Technical Institute (which became KVCC). The second focuses on how KVCC’s former Gilman Street campus in Waterville evolved to meet the changing educational needs and demographics of the area.
“The works within this exhibition demonstrate the ability of Edgar Degas to combine his profound appreciation for the old maters with his passion for photography and Japanese prints, while demonstrating his singular ‘through-the-keyhole’ approach.” – The Artist’s Magazine
On Thursday, February 23, dancers from Maine State Ballet performed and posed for visitors to sketch in celebration of the opening ofEdgar Degas: The Private Impressionist. Videos and images from the event are on the Museum blog and Facebook page!
The Maine launch of the book Glorious Slow Going: Maine Stories of Art, Adventure and Friendship, a collaboration between renowned landscape painter Marguerite Robichaux and celebrated Maine author Elizabeth Peavey, will take place at the Portland Museum of Art on Friday, March 16, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free admission. The artist and author will give a brief talk on the art of collaboration at 6 p.m. and a book signing and reception will follow
It’s an amazing statistic: in 1840, Shepard Cary and Company, based in Houlton, employed more than 2,000 people. Today, as Maine struggles to grow its economy, there are only a handful of companies that employ that many people in the state. Shepard Cary (1805-1866) was one of the most influential leaders of early Aroostook County. He ran a huge timber operation, mills, and farms, and supplied goods to northern Maine and New Brunswick from the 1830s-1850s.
Movies at the Museum – Dinner and a Movie! Enjoy a light dinner before a movie! Visit theMuseum Café by Aurora Provisions for seasonally inspired soups and salads, gourmet sandwiches, and creative entrées. Beer and wine served. No admission required to dine. Free Wi-Fi. Menu changes daily.
From Portland to Paris: Mildred Burrage’s Years in France April 21 through July 15 This exhibition will focus on Portland-born artist Mildred Burrage (1890–1983), who as a young aspiring painter traveled in the early 1900s to Giverny, France. There Burrage trained her eye on the landscape, creating oil paintings and filling sketchbooks with her Impressionist style.
Youth Art Month February 28-April 1 This year celebrates the 32nd anniversary of Youth Art Month Exhibitions in Maine and the 18th annual exhibition at the Museum. The exhibition will showcase more than 100 works of art by students throughout the state, from elementary school through high school.An exhibition celebration will be held at the Museum on Saturday, March 10, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free to the public and refreshments will be served.
Like many soldiers, Grenville F. Sparrow (1836-1907) defined his life in part through his service in the Civil War. Sparrow was 25 when he enlisted in the 17th Maine Infantry in August 1862. The regiment was involved in 30 campaigns during the war, from Fredericksburg to Appomattox. This exhibit shares Sparrow’s story, and many of the items he collected and passed down to his family–ranging from clothing to Confederate currency, cartridges, photographs, certificates, a piece of hardtack, and much more. These items are from the MHS collection.
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