Art Exhibit, Workshops And Slideshows Take To The Sea

August 3, 2011 - An art exhibit installed aboard ship will be the centerpiece of "Art Afloat: Tales of Maritime Maine," a multifaceted project that will visit several Maine islands and coastal communities in August and September. Organized by Penobscot Marine Museum and supported by the Maine Sea Coast Mission, Art Afloat will also include art workshops, receptions, and slideshows of historic and contemporary photography.

The main attraction of Art Afloat is the work of French artist Anne-Emmanuelle Marpeau, whose intricately detailed dioramas depict legends, folklore and history of coastal and island communities in Maine. In 2010, an exhibit at Penobscot Marine Museum of Marpeau's dioramas – also known as shadowboxes – enthralled visitors with their delicacy, humor, mystery and storytelling capabilities and was extended several months due to its popularity. For 2011, the museum invited Marpeau to launch Art Afloat, an at-sea exhibit of all new pieces, and the Maine Sea Coast Mission agreed to host the project aboard its 75-foot-long vessel Sunbeam V.

Carrying the exhibit, Sunbeam V will visit Northeast Harbor, Isle au Haut, North Haven, Islesboro, Stonington, Swans Island, Great Cranberry, and Rockland. Marpeau and museum staff will travel aboard, and at select locations, the museum will offer workshops to teach the art of shadowbox making. Drawing on its extensive photographic archives, the museum will also present slideshows of historic images from several of the communities. Receptions with the artist are also scheduled.

"We are delighted to bring the art of Anne-Emmanuelle Marpeau to new audiences, and grateful to the Maine Sea Coast Mission for hosting the exhibit and providing transportation," said Liz Lodge, Executive Director of Penobscot Marine Museum. "The museum is pleased to use its expertise and resources to engage communities throughout the region with educational and cultural offerings." Lodge added that the project is supported by a joint grant from the Maine Humanities Council and the Maine Arts Commission.

The event schedule follows. Note that the shadowbox workshops require pre-registration

Northeast Harbor – August 16, Tuesday

• Exhibit on board Sunbeam at the Town Dock, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
• Reception, slide show of historic photos at Great Harbor Maritime Museum, 5:30 p.m.

Isle au Haut – August 17, Wednesday

• Exhibit on board Sunbeam, at town landing, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

North Haven – August 17, Wednesday

• Exhibit, tours of Sunbeam, at anchor in Fox Islands Thoroughfare. Boats leave from town dock, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
• Shadowbox workshop, at Waterman's Community Center, 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. (To register call 867-2100)
• Reception at Waterman's Community Center, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
• Slideshow of historic photos, at Waterman's Community Center, 7:00 p.m.

Islesboro – August 18, Thursday

• Exhibit on board Sunbeam at public landing, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Stonington – August 18, Thursday

• Exhibit on Sunbeam, at dock by Penobscot East Resource Center, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
• Shadowbox workshop, at Penobscot East Resource Center, 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. (To register call 367-2708)
• Reception at Penobscot East Resource Center, 5:30 p.m.
• Slideshow: historic photography by Penobscot Marine Museum and contemporary photography by Peter Ralston and Jeff Dworsky, at Stonington Opera House, 7:00 p.m.

Swans Island – August 19, Friday

• Exhibit on Sunbeam at quarry wharf, Minturn, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Great Cranberry – August 19, Friday

• Exhibit and reception on Sunbeam, at public dock, 3:00 – 5:30 p.m.

Rockland – August 23–September 18

• Exhibit, at Dowling Walsh Gallery, 357 Main St.

Rockland – September 17, Saturday

• Shadowbox workshop at Farnsworth Art Museum, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (To register call 548-2529 ext.202)