This year’s classes at the Maine Art Gallery in Wiscasset are surely a call to action for creative individuals, whether one is a relative beginner or a skilled artist.

 

In May and June, classes include sketchbook journaling, a plein air demo, and a plein air class. In September, students may explore the use of abstraction in landscape painting or learn the techniques of creating artistic images with a digital camera. Each of the classes is led by an award winning artist with vast technical experience.

Diane Dubreuil, a former art director, an accomplished plein air painter, and member of the New England Watercolor Society, will guide students through a series of exercises designed to improve their drawing skills and learn about new materials in her introduction to sketchbook journaling, “Sketching on the Go” (May 12 and 13).

Deborah Chapin is an artist who has exhibited internationally for three decades and was invited to give a lecture and plein air demonstration at the Smithsonian in 2007. She will show how she paints florals on site at a garden in Wiscasset village. All levels are welcome to watch and learn, from her Plein Air Demonstration (May 27), whether one is an artist or not.

Deena Ball, an active teaching artist for adults and children, is a signature member the Philadelphia Watercolor Society, the Baltimore Watercolor Society, and a Pennsylvania Guild Master Craftsman. Her work has been broadly exhibited in galleries and in art publications. She will conduct a plein air painting workshop that concentrates on catching the light and essence of a scene and a day. “Catching the Light”  (June 4).

Karen Jelenfy will help students reflect on how artists such as Andrew Wyeth, Vincent Van Gogh, Joan Mitchell and Arshile Gorky have used abstraction in response to landscape. Students will create several quick paintings in acrylic on paper. This class will take place during a time when a show of abstract art will be on exhibit in the Maine Art Gallery.Works in the exhibit may be discussed. “Abstraction and the Landscape” (Sept. 22).

Olga Merrill, an award winning Maine-based visual artist, uses photography to create an image of her vision in the manner that one might use an instrument to make music or a brush for painting. Her class will be held on successive weekends by Zoom and on location. Students will learn simple in-camera techniques that turn ordinary scenes into captivating impressionist photographs. “Impressionist Photography: Creative Way” (Sept. 30-Oct. 1 and Oct. 7-8).

For more information on the instructors and the classes & fees, please visit the Maine Art Gallery website at www.maineartgallerywiscasset.org or contact the gallery at 207-687-8143 or info@maineartgallerywiscasset.org.

The Maine Art Gallery is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and preservation of the visual and applied arts through exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations, and educational programs for children and adults. The gallery opens for the 2022 season on May 7. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gallery will again offer their popular opening receptions.

More information can be found at www.maineartgallerywiscasset.org and on Facebook at Maine Art Gallery Wiscasset. The gallery is located at 15 Warren St., Wiscasset, just a two-minute drive or an eight-minute walk from downtown Wiscasset.