KINGFIELD – The temperature is predicted to rise and your heart will warm as well if you come to Kingfield’s First Friday Artwalk, next Friday evening, Feb. 1, from 5 – 8 p.m. in the walkable village of Kingfield. This Artwalk promises to be one of the best ever, with plenty of snow, Kendric Charles and his entertaining horse and sleigh, book signings, art, free refreshments and so much laughter and camaraderie that even if the air temperature stays below zero, the evening will fill you with warmth and comfort.
How can we promise this? We know what the dozen venues will be offering to Artwalkers, and it will be a night of creativity and joy! Three authors will be signing their recently published books: Kenney Wing and Alan Burnell will be at the Mount Abram Lodge to discuss their book Lost Villages of Flagstaff Lake and Farmington writer Doug Dunlap will be at the Schoolhouse Gallery to sign his newly published Day Hiking in the Western Mountains of Maine, one of the most complete and easy to use guides ever published on this subject. Even life-long High Peak hikers will discover some new trails and adventures to explore in this well written book.
As always, Kingfield’s two museums, the Stanley Museum and the Ski Museum of Maine, will be open to the public. Bruce Miles encourages people to stop by and see “a pair of hand made skis loaned to us from the Maine Finnish American Heritage Society, some great footage of Sugarloaf in the 50’s playing on the screen and some other new additions to our Made in Maine exhibit.” The Stanley Museum displays world-class exhibits featuring the creative minds of Kingfield’s famous Stanley family.
As for art, Brian Hatfield of the Mount Abram Lodge says “Our artists for February will include: Pat Pray from Lexington showing her stained glass and Leslie Mayer of Athens will be showing her greeting cards, fun stuff and matted prints.” Lisa Standish reports “The Farm Cottage Gallery will feature a selection of extraordinary hand made quilts and pillows by Alna artist Kate Nordstrom.” Janet Peruffo at CSM Real Estate will have pottery made by students from KC’s Kreativity Center in Carrabassett Valley. Have you ever seen that “Pottery Class tonight” sign on Route 27? Stop by CSM and see what that sign is all about. Says Karen Campbell “I want to show people how accessible and affordable having some creative fun can be.” On your way up to the Ski Museum, stop and check out Deb Auch’s jewelry on display in the Sugarloafer Shop.
The Schoolhouse Gallery will be celebrating the opening of a new photography exhibit “The High Peaks of Western Maine” coinciding with the publication of Doug Dunlap’s new hiking guide and the renaming of Rt. 27 Scenic Byway to Maine High Peaks Scenic Byway. John Orcutt explains “this exhibit features some of our favorite images of the High Peaks, including some new photographs taken this past fall and winter.”
Barbara Stewart reports: “Webster Library will feature Annie Twitchell, a 15 year -old self-taught fiber artist. Annie is the proud owner of three Navajo Churro sheep and uses their wool for her projects which include wool felted, non-toxic toys for children and pictures.”
If you have never stopped by The Stadler Gallery’s enormous barn, tonight is your opportunity to see something amazing. Have Kendric’s horse and sleigh drop you off to see what owner Ulrike Stadler describes as “paintings by Abby Shahn, Dmitri Karbchievsky and Abbott Meader, prints by Ellen Roberts and Joel Levasseur, sculptures by Melita Westerlund and Amanda Pellerin, miniatures by Meryl Klaif and my recent encaustic paintings.” Photography by Danielle London graces the walls at The Herbert Grand Hotel.
Work from over 20 painters, weavers, glass artists, wood artists and photographers fill the two beautiful, airy and open rooms at the Reinholt Gallery/High Peaks Artisan Coalition. Finally, stop by Grand Central Station for more local art and socializing with hosts Melissa Ruel and Jeniffer Cooley. Artwalk maps are available at each venue.
Put on your coat, mittens and hat and get warm inside by attending this upcoming Kingfield First Friday Artwalk. Participating galleries, museums, organizations and businesses all fly red flags by their front doors. For more information find us on Facebook, or email corcutt86@gmail.com.
