Category: Local Artists

Lots of Activities and Events Scheduled at Stockton Springs Community Library

What’s happening at the library this summer? Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) is in the midst of a very busy summer, with numerous activities and events on the calendar. SSCL is an all-volunteer library located in the heart of downtown Stockton Springs.

“All Together Now” is the theme for this summer’s reading program every Tuesday from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. The free program for children of all ages offers stories, crafts, activities, and snacks.

The library hosts Tai Chi at Stockton Springs Harbor Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. In case of bad weather, this takes place at the town hall. Sponsored by the library and the Town of Stockton Springs.

SSCL is now reserving rental spaces for the giant yard sale at The Great Event, an annual event that brings the community together for the yard sale, food, entertainment, children’s events, and more. The Great Event is scheduled for September 9th from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Yard Sale spaces are $30 and may be reserved by visiting the library during open hours. Hours are Mon & Wed 3 – 5 pm, Tues 4 – 7 pm, Thurs 9 am – Noon and 6:30 – 8:30 pm, and Saturday 9 am – 3 pm.

Annual Pie & Art Festival is scheduled for August 19th from 9 am to 2 pm. A great opportunity to bring home a pie or two and add to your collection of contemporary art by local artists! 

SSCL is currently holding a raffle fundraiser for a $100 gift certificate to Sweet Cheeks Bakery on Verona Island. Tickets are $1 each and are available at the library during open hours. Drawing for the winner will take place at SSCL’s annual Pie & Art Festival on August 19th at 1:00. Proceeds will benefit the SSCL Endowment Fund.

Thanks to SSCL’s “Basil’s Bottles for Books” ongoing returnables collection, the library is always up to date with purchasing all the latest books and DVD’s. Stop in to check them out!

SSCL has a new, upgraded wi-fi service which is great for streaming.

SSCL also has two books groups, a garden group, a knitters & crafters evening, and much more! For details on all of the library’s programs and events visit www.stocktonspringslibrary.org. See the new garden while sitting in the Gazebo reading a new book!

Anne Spencer Art in the Stacks Exhibition at Stockton Springs Community Library

Stockton Springs Community Library will present works by artist Anne Spencer in an Art in the Stacks exhibition beginning Monday, October 31st through Thursday, December 22nd.

Spencer moved to Maine in 1972. While working as an occupational therapist at EMMC in Bangor, she also painted and exhibited with the Bangor Art Society. She received a degree in Fine Arts at Wilson College and an MA in the Interdisciplinary Program of Liberal Studies at University of Maine, Orono. Along with her painting career she has taught classes in watercolor and art history at Belfast Senior College.

Glen Cove Tide, a watercolor by Anne Spencer

Anne Spencer’s art has had a strong connection to SSCL as she was a longtime member of the weekly painting group at the library. She was the first artist to exhibit her work to help support the SSCL endowment fund and she helped to launch the library’s Pie & Art Festival, which will celebrate its 10th year in 2023. A percentage of any sales in the exhibition will benefit the SSCL endowment fund.

The exhibition will be on view during regular library open hours, which are Monday 3 – 5 pm, Tuesday 4 – 7 pm, Wednesday 3 – 5 pm, Thursday 9 am – noon and 6:30 – 8:30 pm, and Saturday 9 am – 3 pm.

The library will host a Meet & Greet with the artist on Saturday, November 5th from 11 am to 1 pm. All are welcome.

Stockton Springs Community Library is an all volunteer library located in the historic Colcord House at the corner of Main and Station Streets in downtown Stockton Springs. For more information phone 567-4147 or visit www.stocktonspringslibrary.org.

Art in the Stacks at Stockton Springs Community Library Features Binders Keepers Altered Books

Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) will present a special Holiday Art in the Stacks exhibition featuring altered books by Stockton Springs artist and entrepreneur Chelsea Porter from Monday, November 29th until Thursday, December 23rd.

Porter’s business, Binders Keepers, features books cut and folded into intricate designs. She started using this art form in 2017 when she learned the basic technique from her mother and aunt. Each book is measured, marked, and then folded page by page to make the design. Porter is able to create nearly any design imaginable and is able to personalize the artwork by folding in names or special dates.

Crafting an image or word into the book can take between four and twenty hours to complete. Porter acknowledges that it is time consuming yet therapeutic. Though each design varies, each requires a hardcover book with a minimum of 500 pages. She mainly uses books that are poised to be thrown away. 

Porter markets her work through an Etsy site: www.etsy.com/shop/BindersKeepersArt

Despite the pandemic, Porter has seen her online sales increase, and since joining the platform in 2017 she has shipped her creations to customers in 43 states.

Holiday Art in the Stacks will be open for viewing during library hours: Monday 3 – 5 pm, Tuesday 4 – 7 pm, Wednesday 3 – 5 pm, Thursday 9 am – Noon and 6:30 – 8:30 pm, and Saturday 9 am – 3 pm.

Sale of Porter’s work will benefit the library and the artist.

SSCL is an all volunteer library located in the heart of Stockton Springs. For more information visit www.stocktonspringslibrary.org or phone 207-567-4147.

8th Annual Pie and Art Festival at Stockton Springs Community Library August 21st

Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) will host its 8th Annual Pie and Art Festival on Saturday, August 21st from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. This popular fundraising event provides an opportunity to feed your body and soul, offering a variety of homemade pies and fine art from outstanding Maine artists.

Participating artists are Judy Belasco, Mary Braun, Sarah Faragher, Sue Garrett, Bill Landmesser, Scott Moore, Chelsea Porter (aka Binders Keepers), Betty Schopmeyer, Anne Spencer, Dawn Staples-Knox, Jo Swift, Peter Walls, and Anne Marie Welsh.

Following the event, remaining artwork will be displayed in the library’s non-fiction room for “Art in the Stacks.” It will be available for viewing and purchase during the library’s open hours through August 28th. Sale of artwork will benefit both the library and the artists.

2021 Copyright Judy Belasco. Painting. Stockton Springs Maine

SSCL is an all-volunteer community library. For more information call 207-567-4147.

“Art in the Stacks” artist Anne Spencer

Anne was named the Featured Artist for the 2020 Senior College Art Festival, held at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast each year.  She had an early interest in drawing, painting, and lettering. She received a BA in Fine Arts from Wilson College including courses in art history, aesthetics, oil painting, and graphic design. She received professional competency in Occupational Therapy from the University of Pennsylvania. 

During her 45 years of OT practice, 26 years in Maine, Anne continued painting and exhibiting, as well as traveling extensively. She received an MA from the University of Maine, at Orono in Liberal Studies, in areas of art, history, and health. 

“I continue to exhibit paintings and enjoy teaching watercolor classes to students who are interested in drawing and painting yet fearful to begin.”

Anne Spencer

Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) is please to be partnering with Anne Spencer in presenting her work at the upcoming “Art in the Stacks” event, which is to be held during SSCL’s open hours: Monday and Wednesday 3-5; Tuesday 4-7; Thursday 9-12 and 6:30-8:30; and Saturday 9-3 from September 3 through October 8. For more information contact the library at 207-567-4147.