‘The Art of Transportation’ at Boothbay Railway Village

Fri, 07/31/2015 - 2:45pm

On Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1 and 2, the Boothbay Railway Village will host its first ever art exhibit inside the museum’s 1847 Boothbay Town Hall. The exhibit of works by world-renowned transportation artist Angela Trotta Thomas is presented in partnership with COCO VIVO Artful Living. Both originals and giclee prints will be for sale with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the nonprofit museum.

Changing directions seems to come easy for Thomas. In 1991 after a successful career as a commercial artist, Thomas decided it was time for a change. She enrolled in Marywood University and earned a master’s degree. That would have been enough for the mother of two young children, but along the way she also became the premier toy train artist in America and a one of the few women painters of classic automobile fine art.

She is the only artist ever to be licensed by famed toy train manufacturer Lionel Trains Inc./Lionel LLC and has held that honor for many years. Her work has been featured on the cover of numerous national magazines and catalog covers. Her toy train art has been exhibited in the Smithsonian and Everhart museums, as well as the Sardoni Galley in Kings College and toured Japan as part of an American art exhibit.

In addition to toy trains, Thomas has also featured classic and antique automobiles in her magnificent watercolor paintings.

Her paintings allow the viewer to experience a warm feeling, relive a fond memory or create a bond with the painting. Thomas believes a successful painting must evoke emotion. This is where she derives her greatest satisfaction.

The exhibit will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday and is free with regular museum admission of $5 for children 3-18 and $10 for adults. Children under 3 and Museum Members are free. 

There will be a free public reception on Saturday, August 1 from 5-7 p.m. including refreshments and the opportunity to meet Thomas in person. 

On Sunday, Aug. 2 from 1 to 2 p.m. Thomas will be presenting a talk about her work in the Town Hall. The talk is free with museum admission.

Contact the Boothbay Railway Village for more information at 207-633-4727, or online at www.railwayvillage.org.  The Boothbay Railway Village is located at 586 Wiscasset Road, Route 27 in Boothbay.