Saltwater Artists Gallery of New Harbor will celebrate the gallery’s history by hosting a Founders Exhibition June 20–31. Until the end of June, work of eight current and former members will hang in the newly created front group display area.

The unique history of the gallery stretches back to 1967 when 30-40 Midcoast artists organized the Waldoboro Gallery Association for the advancement and appreciation of the fine arts. Among the earlier members were Carlton Plummer, Ernie Thompson, Maurice Day and Bill Thon. Carolyn Totman and Peter Manos were instrumental in its early days. Originally located in the old Sproul Block and supported by the Cooneys and Hemingways of the IBM family, the group occupied numerous locations.

The group reorganized and applied for nonprofit status in the early 1980s, and then went into limbo in the mid-80s; it later regrouped with a smaller core membership and was renamed the Medomak River Gallery. There was a great deal of enthusiasm and bon hommie within this newly reorganized group of artists, and after years of working out of varied rental space, they sought a new home for their gallery. In 1998 the former Driftwood Shop building in New Harbor became available and was purchased from Bea and Dewy Chase in late 1998. The dedicated group of hardworking artists transformed the space for gallery use, and opened the 1999 season in its current long standing location as the Saltwater Artists Gallery.

The idea of a Founders Exhibition was partly conceived as a memorial to Jean Christy, who as a long standing hanging member spearheaded the 1998 purchase of the building; she passed away in late 2013. The board decided to expand the show of founders’ work to include several long standing beloved members such as Maude Olsen and Jane Lavoix. Another well recognized and treasured Midcoast artist, Audrey Bechler of Waldoboro, agreed to rejoin the gallery for the season. Her painting entitled IMPACT accompanies this article.

Upon hearing of SWAG’s efforts to celebrate the gallery’s history and make it better known to the public, renowned artist Consuelo Eames Hanks graciously agreed to return to the gallery to hang as a guest artist for the balance of the season starting July 1 and to be part of the founder’s special display. There also is a rumor that perhaps her husband, Ted Hanks, will display examples of his work during the founders’ celebration as well. Word spread and Julian Sacks, watercolorist, was also persuaded to rejoin the gathering of old friends as a seasonal guest artist. Former members and outstanding Maine artists, Jean Kigel and Jan Kilburn, also graciously agreed to hang representative examples of their wonderfully distinctive painting styles for the exhibition.

The Founders Exhibition will be shared with the public through the end of June and with a special celebration evening Friday, June 20 starting at 6 p.m. The gallery is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting June 20 through Columbus Day weekend in October. Patrons, other area artists and the public are invited to join the membership in rejoicing in the long history of individual and group participation in the Saltwater Artists Gallery. Most of the exhibition’s examples will be available for purchase with only two being for display only. SWAG is located near the end of Route 130 in New Harbor just prior to Pemaquid Point.