Lively artists’ hub growing in Houlton

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
FAMILY HEIRLOOM —Robert Cowperthwaite, SACAP president, tells board member Penny Lane about the various pieces of family jewelry from his great-grandmother, grandmother, mother and daughters that he used to create a collage. Behind them in the Blue Moon Gallery is the current installation of works by Canadian artist Rita Sassani.
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — How important is art to the life of a community? “It’s absolutely vital and we’re the only one in this area that can offer artists a showplace for their work,” stated Penny Lane, a board member of the Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project (SACAP).
    “As a result of having the gallery, it has just encouraged artists to produce. And, the sales have been phenomenal — up 20 percent or more over the last year. There’s a new enthusiasm and a new feel. Our new signage has helped us to be recognized by saying there’s an art gallery up front. It has brought people in who travel from afar and come on a regular basis,” stated SACAP President Robert Cowperthwaite. Lane added that “collectors come seeking original pieces from the state of Maine.”
    Cowperthwaite explained that the non-profit organization, founded in 1999, has a mission to foster a flourishing arts community in northern Maine. By 2004 SACAP had opened a retail storefront, a resource center and the Blue Moon Gallery. “Blue Moon is a gallery for specific artists’ shows. Visions is a retail operation to sell art pieces. Our storefront is Visions, Blue Moon is a revolving gallery,” elaborated Cowperthwaite about the various spaces within SACAP.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
IN THE BAG — Rachel S. Good, a SACAP board member from Monticello is a volunteer coordinator for Visions Art Gallery and Gift Shop. On her way out after a board meeting she stopped to admire a handmade bag at Visions. “The quality of the work is just fantastic. Please put this on layaway for me,” said Good.
    Themes in paintings, photos, drawings and other art pieces are often rural and reflect the northern Maine locale. Cowperthwaite added: “The work must be reviewed by a jury committee and it is of exquisite quality.”
    He said there are 39 different artists currently displaying their work. The range probably has something for everyone: oils, acrylics, photography, wood, pottery, jewelry, stained glass, fabric art, silks, hookings, art cards and self-published books.
The art business
    “Artists need to support themselves through their artwork and Visions is just the right vehicle for that. They can showcase and sell their work. Artists create for the sake of creating and they should be rewarded for that,” said Lane. She remarked that “the art movement is strongest along the coast of Maine and without SACAP’s two galleries a lot of this would not be seen in this area.” She also said that artists who had no place to show their work might end up storing their pieces at home in an attic. But, with Visions, they are able not only to display, but also to thrive.
    Cowperthwaite briefly outlined the arrangement similar to any gallery in a metropolitan area. “Artists display their work and receive the pay they feel their work is worth. There is a small percentage that we receive as a commission which supports and continues our operations. Most of the artists are local. So, the money is staying within the community.”
    He also said that SACAP seeks sponsors for particular events and added that there are several loyal supporters in Houlton: the Courtyard Café, Northern Maine Distilling Co which makes Twenty 2 Vodka, and Uncle Willy’s Candy Shoppe.
    When asked about sponsors, Cowperthwaite enthusiastically stated that he would encourage more sponsors to support the organization. “By providing those sponsorships, we can bring very significant artists into the area. And there are people who would like to display here but oftentimes it’s costly for them to transport their wares.” As an example, he pointed to the current exhibit in the Blue Moon Gallery — “Human Aura” — works by Canadian artist Rita Sassani from Fredericton, N.B.
Public events
    Free receptions for guest artists, like the one for Sassani, are held about every two months according to Cowperthwaite. “We usually have a significant crowd of people who come in to view and meet the artists and talk with them. People will say there is nothing to do. There is plenty to do,” Cowperthwaite said emphatically.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
SILKS FOR SALE — Leigh Griffith of Houlton created the colorful silk scarves on the mannequin near the front of Visions. Local wood crafters created the wood pieces in back.
    “If you don’t come into the shop, you’re really missing the works of the talented artists that we have here. We love for people to come in and meet the artists, ask questions and get involved in any way they can even if it’s just coming in and talking about the art that they see.” Naturally, there is the hope for a sale. “And, by buying from Visions, they are literally supporting the artists themselves,” Cowperthwaite stated.
Clearing up confusion
    More people seem to understand that Visions is all about artwork — not eye exams. Lani Lemerise, a SACAP board member, said because the sign outside said “Visions” some had perceived it to be an optometrist’s office. And, she added, a previous sign said “art shop” leading others to believe it was a source for art supplies. Now, with a sign created by Paul Porter, a New Limerick artist, capital letters boldly define the space as an “ART GALLERY.” It hangs just under the original Visions sign. Porter and Lemerise’s husband Hank recently founded a local chapter of the American Association of Woodturners and they will teach classes in Hodgdon.
    Cowperthwaite credits the growth of SACAP to current and previous volunteers, board members and executive directors. But, he also has fans for what he has contributed. Lane stated: “He has a true passion. This man is just tireless when it comes to working for the arts community. Honest to God he is.”
    For more information call 532-9119.