Six Tips for Visiting an Art Gallery:
- Do an initial quick walkthrough of the space. While this may seem counterintuitive, this provides you with a brief overview of the styles, subjects, and scope of what is available. When people visit a new city, many will ride the hop-on/hop-off bus for the full route to get a lay of the land and a better idea of where to focus their limited time on vacation. Think of this walkthrough as the same thing. Once you have completed your quick assessment, you can focus on the pieces that caught your eye.
- Spend time building a relationship with the pieces that speak to you. Read the information about those pieces. Get close and look at the fine details. Step back and take in the whole color palette, symbolism, or alluring energy of the piece. Take the time to learn and study the pieces you like the most.
- Make sure to walk away with a business card or sign up for the newsletter for the gallery. You might not be ready to decide on a purchase that day but do not lose the opportunity to buy later. Sometimes you have to go home and measure wall space or assess color schemes. Write the name of the piece you like on the back of the card so you know exactly what to ask for when calling the gallery later to make a purchase.
- Do a little research first. If you are visiting a new location, researching the scope and style of the local galleries will help you choose the best ones to visit based on your personal artistic interests. Many galleries will have samples of the work available in an online collection. You may find a piece that you want to look at in person or you may simply gain a general idea of the type of art you will find. Of course, do not let a lack of research stop you from walking into an open gallery that piques your interest while walking around town.
- Check for open hours. Some galleries are open for visitors on a regular schedule. Some request that you make an appointment. Make sure to check before knocking on the door.
- Remember that is ok to not be an expert. Ask questions of the artist or the staff. Ask about the art style or the medium used. If a piece is unframed, ask for recommendations on how to best display it in your home. If you are talking with the artist, they will most likely be thrilled to share their inspiration or thoughts about their art.
Boothbay and the surrounding area are home to some fabulous art galleries. We especially recommend visiting Gleason Fine Art and Jan Kilburn.
Gleason Fine Art features work by 35 of the state’s most highly regarded contemporary artists. The gallery also boasts a strong inventory of early to middle 20th century art. Visitors will find a variety of styles of art including sculpture, oil on canvas paintings, acrylic on linen paintings, paper collage, and folky wood carvings. Exhibitions for individual artists are hosted especially during the summer months. The owner is a certified member of the Appraisers Association of America. He can provide a wealth of art related services including recommendations on art conservation and framing and consulting services on art collection. The gallery is open year-round with hours varying based on the season.
Jan Kilburn has a passion for color and it shows in her watercolor paintings of the New England seacoast. The subjects of many of her paintings include Monhegan Island, local villages, and the capes and flower gardens of the coast. We were truly honored when a past guest commissioned Jan to do a painting of the Five Gables Inn. Jan’s gallery in Damariscotta has regular daily hours during the summer season. She loves to have visitors at other times of the year but asks that you call to make sure she is there. Both originals and prints are available so you are sure to find something that you love that is in your price range.
Jan also offers classes for budding artists from October until May. As long as the weather cooperates, you can take a class on Monday mornings. If you want a full day class, be sure to be in town on the third Thursday of the month. In order to provide the best experience for all students, class size is limited. Contact Jan in advance to be sure space is available in the class you wish to take.
