By Shelby Hartin
Student Intern
HOULTON — The Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project will present a special collection of paintings featuring scenes from northern Maine’s own Baxter State Park on Friday, June 14.
Suzanne Savage Brewer, a native of Island Falls, will have her paintings featured in an exhibit at the Blue Moon Gallery in downtown Houlton. The collection of oils and watercolors was created during Savage Brewer’s residency at Baxter State Park during the summer of 2012.
Savage Brewer was selected to act as a resident artist in Baxter State Park where she sketched and painted Mt. Katahdin in different light settings and vistas on a daily basis. She also held open studios for student artists of every age and exhibited her work to the public.
The Blue Moon Gallery will be the first of three locations in Maine selected to display Savage Brewer’s collection. It is a particularly special occasion because of Savage Brewer’s strong connection to the southern Aroostook area of northern Maine. As a native of Island Falls who holds a special appreciation for Baxter State Park, Savage Brewer is honored to present scenes from her “favorite place in the world.”
Savage Brewer began drawing and painting at a young age.
“There were no fine arts programs available at my school, so my parents searched out private instruction for me,” Savage Brewer said of her art education.
After a stint with art in college, Savage Brewer decided that she needed to pursue what she called “a real job,” so she began her education in architectural drafting. After a career of nearly 30 years designing homes, she returned to painting.
Savage Brewer rekindled her passion for art in Boothbay where she started her work with the Plein Air Painters of Maine.
“Plein air painting is a French term and it means ‘in the open air.’ It literally just means going outside to paint,” Savage Brewer explained.
Savage Brewer then put her “plein air” painting in action during her time as a resident artist in Baxter State Park.
“You’re free to go wherever you want to in the park and paint whatever speaks to you,” Savage Brewer said of her residency.
“It was an extreme honor for me to be chosen,” she added.
Savage Brewer then sought out an opportunity to display her work to the public. The Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project accepted the work of Savage Brewer and will display it from 5-7 p.m. in the Blue Moon Gallery.
Savage Brewer will be in attendance to see her work displayed and the public will have the chance to meet her and view the grandeur of Baxter State Park depicted through her oils and watercolors.
