Artist’s reprints to benefit center
Reprint courtesy Bill Duncan/Aroostook Editions
A REPRODUCTION of an archival print of an original Mable Mason Bennett watercolor painting is being printed and sold on a limited basis as a fundraiser for the Wintergreen Arts Center, with prints available during the First Friday Art Walk on Dec. 2. The painting is copyright 2011 from the estate of Mable Mason Bennett.
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Artists and businesses will join forces once again Friday to host December’s First Friday Art Walk, featuring a fundraiser for the Wintergreen Arts Center, among many other festive displays throughout the community.
“Mable Mason Bennett watercolor reprints depicting a barn and the twin peaks of Quaggy Jo Mountain in Presque Isle will be sold to benefit the Wintergreen Arts Center,” said Russell Mount, one of the organizers of the fundraiser.
Mount said Bennett’s painting is “being printed in a limited edition of 50 prints and is available, unframed, for $50.”
“Prints are the same size as the original watercolor and printed with archival pigment ink on archival cotton rag paper. All proceeds from the sale of this print will go to support the center,” he said.
In addition, Morning Star Art & Framing will donate 20 percent of the cost of framing this print back to Wintergreen, said Mount.
Prints will be on sale at both Wintergreen on State Street and Morning Star on Main Street, beginning the night of the walk.
The center has extended hours for the Art Walk, due to students’ participation this time.
“We usually are open 7-9 p.m. for the First Friday event, but we’re going to make it 6-9 due to the children’s involvement this month,” said Wendy Gilman-Zubrick, Wintergreen’s director.
Gilman-Zubrick said the money from the sale of the reprints will be used for operating expenses.
“We have a large loan payment that we need to make each month, so much of our fund-raising efforts go to pay this down,” she said.
The First Friday Art Walk has grown in popularity, according to the center’s director.
“I’ve seen the First Friday traffic increase steadily since beginning at the art center in August. The Mable Mason Bennett exhibit has been our most well-attended to date — seeing upwards of 100 visitors to the center,” said Gilman-Zubrick.
In addition to the sale of reprints, participants will have an opportunity to purchase the artwork of students as well.
“Artists for the First Friday Art Walk will include students from the Arts & Parks after-school program, grades 1-6. This is an opportunity to support our young artists by attending the party and purchasing their wonderful work. There will also be homemade crafts and art donated by the ladies’ group and special weaving on display, made by women from the recent Weaving & Dreaming class. The party and auction begin at 6 p.m.,” said Gilman-Zubrick.
Gilman-Zubrick said she’s pleased by the interest expressed by area businesses for the monthly Art Walk.
“Some new venues have been included as of late, such as Catholic Charities. We’ve also had other businesses write asking how they can get involved,” she said.
“It is wonderful to be able to provide an artistic community space where they (artists) can share their work. And several venues — even the most unexpected — have been up for the challenge. From wine-tasting, to photography, watercolors, mask-making and music, the Art Walk has provided a mostly free Friday night ‘date night’ experience to an increasing number of eager participants,” continued Gilman-Zubrick.
Morning Star is also hosting a local artist, featuring the work of Presque Isle photographer Paul Cyr.
“Paul first took an interest in photography as a teenager to help pay for his first car. Now that he has more time, he enjoys photography as a challenging and satisfying hobby,” said Brian Brissette, co-owner of Morning Star.
Cyr is well-known for his “knack of being at the right place at the right time,” according to Brissette, and his “creative way of capturing the moment.”
For those wishing to meet Cyr, he will be at Morning Star during the First Friday Art Walk, from 6-8 p.m.
“From December through January, we’ll be selling his prints and framed prints,” said Brissette.
Gilman-Zubrick credits the Art Walk with bringing people to Presque Isle.
“The walk is breathing new life of sorts into the downtown and surrounding areas. It’s exciting to be a part of it,” said Gilman-Zubrick.
For more information on Wintergreen Arts Center, call 762-3576 or e-mail wintergreenarts@gmail.com; for Morning Star Art & Framing, call 764-1810 or e-mail morningstarart@gmail.com.
