Watch Artists Create In Real Time

Observe Their Techniques, Bid on One-Day Creations in "Art du jour"

Searsport painter Nancy Morgan-Barnes will be among the artists participating in Art du jour. (Photo: Robert Barnes)

September 27, 2011 – Artists will create new works of art and see them sold in a single day in Art du jour, a "wet-paint" auction event at Penobscot Marine Museum, Saturday, October 8. All artists are welcome to participate, and the public may watch the artists at work and attend the silent auction for free.

Artists in any visual medium will register in the Old Vestry between 8-9 a.m. on the day of the event. Artists must bring their own tools and materials, and may work anywhere in Searsport or vicinity, although the museum encourages them to work on campus. Some indoor spaces will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Artists will begin working as soon as they register, and will bring their finished work back to the Old Vestry by 3:30 p.m. There, the works will be matted and prepared for exhibit in the silent auction. Bidding will proceed from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served, sponsored by the Capt. A.V. Nickels Inn of Searsport.

The public will be able to watch the artists as they work, and most will answer questions about their techniques. Museum admission will be free all day as part of Searsport's annual Fling Into Fall celebration.

"Art du jour will showcase established and aspiring artists while raising funds for museum programs," said event organizer Lin Calista, manager of the museum's own picture-framing shop, The Museum Framer. Already registered are well-known artists such as amateur photographer Wayne Hamilton and professional painters Alan Fishman, Nancy Morgan-Barnes, Stefan Pastsuhov and Scott Moore. All professional, student and amateur visual artists are invited.

Artists will donate their works to the museum, in appreciation for which the museum will give a discount of 50 percent on any one framing job at The Museum Framer. For more information contact Lin Calista at 207-548-0334.