My parents are visiting this week so Michael and I are playing tourist!  No visit is complete without a visit to our favorite shop in Rockland, Maine -  Lucky Dog Gallery.  We met one of the owners, Hal Hagy, several years ago at Camden’s Art in the park festival.  Hal had left the world of corporate photography and relocated to Maine to focus on the Maine coastline and nature, his amazing photography stood out from the others at the show and eventually led to us working with him when it was time to photograph the food for Michael’s book: Inn The Kitchen with Michael Salmon.  Hal’s wife Janel creates beautiful original stoneware and clay art.  They opened their gallery in Rockland several years ago and have invited many friends to also display their work.  If you have a difficult person to buy for or are looking for a “one of a kind keepsake” to remind you of your Maine vacation, I would head to the Lucky Dog Gallery!  Part of the fun is meeting their new rescue puppy Willow; she will be waiting for you by the door.

Belfast is right next door to Camden so this is a fun outing for our guests at the Hartstone Inn!  For more information, visit their website here.

Here are some frequently asked questions from their website:

What kind of art do you show?

Our specialty is contemporary art of all media made by artists who live or have lived in Maine, either part-time or year-round, or who have studied or have other strong connections to the state. Occasionally we include work by artists without a connection to Maine in group exhibitions, but only when doing so enhances the exhibition. Many of our exhibitions broaden notions about what art is and break established boundaries among different forms of artistic expression.

How did CMCA get started?

In 1952, the Center for Maine Contemporary Art began as Maine Coast Artists, a small artists’ cooperative. Since then, it has evolved into the state’s leading institution for the advancement of contemporary Maine art. We changed our name and logo to reflect the statewide scope of our activities. By making new connections and keeping old ones, CMCA has built a strong base of supporters that spans generations and interests, making our institution the diverse and respected place it has come to be.

Do you charge admission?

Admission for members and children is free. A $5.00 donation for nonmembers is suggested. CMCA is a nonprofit organization and donations are gratefully accepted to further our mission of advancing contemporary art in Maine.

Do you sell art?

Yes. We are a nonprofit institution, not a commercial gallery, and the choice of artwork to be displayed is unencumbered by commercial interests, but we provide artists with the opportunity to sell the art that is on view in CMCA’s galleries. In return, we retain a small commission for every successful sale to help support our programming.

Click here to view their current exhibitions.

flying bear, picnicking bears, hulu dancing bears and the list goes on. Every time you turned the corner, another bear appeared. The bearfest continued for three years from 2000-2002 and they are currently in “hibernation” but a newer exhibit is currently on display where the artists

use bicycles and bicycle parts. The fish bike was a favorite of ours so I had to take a picture (look for my little red convertible in the background).

Next, we crossed the large bridge over the Passagassawakeag River (try saying that!) and headed a mile up the road to Young’s Lobster Pound. We had 2 pound lobster’s on their outside patio (right on Belfast harbor) and sipped Gruet (it’s BYOB) sparkling wine from New Mexico. The seagulls sang, the sun was sinking in the sky and we had our own little moment of heaven. They do lobster’s well here.

Stay tuned for Belfast part 2 where we will explore “Darby’s Restaurant” and some of our other favorite Belfast attractions.

If you’re coming to the Maine coast in August (hopefully you are coming to stay with us in Camden) the 7th annual Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors show is worth a visit and is happening in Rockland from August 7-9, 2009. Mary Jo and I went to the show last year (for a Hartstone Inn Cookbook signing) and it was a fun filled day of activities. Many food and beverage vendors to keep your belly full in addition to numerous marine and non-marine related vendors. Following is a description of the event from their website:

“If you love the coast of Maine, you won’t want to miss this show! Come see Maine’s finest artists, architects, boatbuilders, furniture makers, craftsmen, designers, marine gear vendors, and musicians. There’ll be a model yacht pond, live music, a children’s area, exhibits, fine food, the running of the 7th Annual World Championship Boatyard Dog® Trials, and more! As the only in-water boat show in the state, with more than 70 boats in the water and 150 exhibitors on land, there is something for every member of the family.”

Friday & Saturday: 10-6:00 p.m.   Sunday: 10-4:00 p.m.
Price: $10, kids under 12 FREE.  Two and three-day passes available.
For further information call:  800*565*4951  or visit the website: www.maineboats.com/boatshow

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES - Space is limited.  Call 207-236-2239 to pre-register.

Drawing with Lynn Travis – Thursdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m., April 23 & 30, May 7 & 14, $90 members/$100 non-members. Work in pencil and charcoal with guidance from an acclaimed local artist.

Watercolor with Lesia Sochor – Thursdays 9:00a.m.-noon, April 30 – May 21, $135 members/$150 non-members. Study watercolor with a noted watercolorist and illustrator.

Passamaquoddy Medicine Walk & Talk with Fredda Paul and Leslie Wood – Talk, Saturday, April 25, 2-4:00 p.m., $ 15 members/$ 20 non-members (arrive at 1:30 to view displays and ask questions) Walk, Sunday, April 26, 1:30-4:00 p.m. rain or shine, $ 20 members/$25 non-members. Explore native medicine traditions, focusing on spring-gathered medicinal plants, with a Passamaquoddy healer and historian of traditional medicine.

Preserving the Harvest with Kathy Savoie of the Maine Extension Service – Saturday, April 25, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Home Economics Room of CHRHS, $15 members/$18 non-members. Get ready for the summer’s bounty by learning how can and freeze your fruits and vegetables.

Dividing Daylilies and Iris w/ Susan Shaw – Saturday, May 2, 10:00 – 12:00 a.m.  Rain Date: Saturday, May 9, $5 members/$10 non-members
Learn to make divisions from a renowned hybridizer and former president of the Maine Daylily Society.  Take home a division from Merryspring’s own gardens.

A beautifully restored estate with a center chimney Cape, furnished like a gracious home, is the setting for this unique Gallery filled with fine art paintings, sculpture, exquisite hand made furniture, rugs, pottery, and jewelry. The Gallery also serves as a showcase for home interiors, displaying a custom kitchen, tiles, floors, faux painting and more.

Hours – Open Year Round
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11am to 5pm

Saturday 10am to 5pm

Sunday 11am to 4pm

Closed Tuesdays until June 15th, after which we are open 7 days a week into Autumn.

Visit Carver Hill Gallery online at: http://www.carverhillgallery.com/