ART EXHIBITS @ FCL

“Magnificent Magnolias,” Bev Bono

Two Plein Air Artists Featured in August Art Exhibit

Make sure to swing by Freeport Community Library during August to admire the work of local artists and friends Beverly Bono and Linda Rowell-Kelley.

Bono and Kelley relocated to Topsham and Freeport a year apart from Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island in 2021 and 2022 respectively. During the pandemic on MDI, they painted outside together when the weather was nice or in separate cars when it wasn’t. It gave them both a great deal of practice and they were able to paint so many scenic places in Acadia National Park and surrounding areas on and off the island.

Both painters use oil on panel or canvas and have shown their work at various institutions and events along the Maine coast, including the Blue Hill Public Library benefit, “Paint the Peninsula” event, several shows at the Southwest Harbor Public Library, Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor; and, more recently, Meetinghouse Arts (Linda), Plein Air Days at Maine Botanical Gardens, Yarmouth Art Festival, Maine Art Gallery Plein Air Event 2022, and the Maine Art Gallery juried show “Working in Maine.”

Look forward to pieces featuring local points of appeal, such as Winslow Park, Wolfe Neck Farm, Tidebrook Farm, Pineland Gardens, and the river walk in Yarmouth. Pieces are available for purchase directly through the artists.

This event is free and open to the public during regular library business hours.

Freeport Community Library is an avid supporter of the arts, especially those artists from our community. Each month we feature a different artist or collective. Each exhibit is month-long. FCL provides this community exhibit space to all participants free of charge.

Typically artwork goes up the first day of the month and is picked-up the last day of that month. If the library isn’t open on the 1st of the month, then artwork goes up the first day the library is open. And, if the library is closed the last day of the month then the artwork is picked-up earlier in the month.

We have 30 wooden easels that accommodate small to medium framed or matted paintings and photographs.

Artists may sell exhibited artwork. Each piece should be well signed with pricing and the artist’s contact information so that the prospective buyer can contact the artist directly. The library does not take payment for artwork. We should also be given the name of the person who is authorized by the artist to pick-up the artwork unless the artist and purchaser have made other, off-site arrangements for this. The library will not release artwork to someone stating they have purchased artwork unless we have been notified and authorized by the artist to do so.

A Loaned Material Acceptance form needs to be completed and left at the library when the exhibit is installed. It is best if the artist can plan on installing and taking down their exhibit. If for some reason the artist is unable to pick-up their artwork on the final day of the exhibit, the library will take down the exhibit and store artwork in the Director’s office for a short (2-3 day) period of time.

Inquiries or questions may be addressed to Meghan Fogg (she/her) at mfogg@freeportmaine.com or 865-3307.