A place of inspiring natural beauty
For more than two centuries, artists have chosen Maine as a place to gather and work. Drawn by Maine’s rugged beauty, stunning illumination, and reputation for fierce individualism, artists here are still pushing the boundaries of aesthetics, social engagement, and individual practice. At MECA&D we take pride in Maine’s unique culture as a site for inspiration and inquiry as our students and faculty continue to advance this heritage.
A Destination for Creative Expression
Winslow Homer’s studio is 20 minutes from Portland, on Maine’s rocky coast. The lighthouses painted by Edward Hopper are also a short ride by car or bike from Portland’s downtown. On the first Friday evening of every month, 17 cities across the state host Art Walks, when all galleries and museums are open and welcome the public to experience art from Maine and around the world. The number of famous American artists who have Maine ties far exceeds coincidence.
A few examples include:
Winslow Homer
Edward Hopper
Andrew Wyeth
N.C. Wyeth
Jamie Wyeth
Alex Katz
Neil Welliver
Thomas Cole
Eliot Porter
Fairfield Porter
William Wegman
William Pope.L
Berenice Abbott
Bernard Langlais
Todd Webb
Georgia O’Keeffe
Lois Dodd
Marsden Hartley
Steve Mumford
Robert Indiana
Dahlov Ipcar
Will Barnet
Rockwell Kent
Margaret Wise Brown
Robert Henri
Louise Nevelson
Milton Avery