Portland, ME.- The Art Gallery on the Portland Campus of the University of New England in Portland, Maine presents “Critters”, a mammoth show that fills all three floors of the gallery, the foyer and the grounds. It includes about 300 works by almost 100 artists. “Critters” represents three groups of work – wildlife, farm animals, and pets – in situations that may be heartwarming, entertaining, or even poignant for the viewer. The exhibition is on view through 20 July.
The show not only includes the “critters” we interact with every day, but also those that may have been forced from their habitats as our human territory expands, and others that may soon disappear forever. “Critters” features local artists from Maine beside works from artists from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Wisconsin, Connecticut, and Florida.
The exhibition includes a broad selection of indoor and outdoor sculptures by Jeff Barrett, Lise Becu, Peter Beerits, Rush Brown, James Budish, Clara Cohan, Nantz Comyns, Squidge Davis, Donna Dodson, Dan Falt, Edwin Gamble, Eva Goetz, Don Gove, Craig Berube Gray, Carole Hanson, Charles Jenkins, Mark Kendschi, Nance Kahn, Al Kronk, Bernard Langlais, Cheryl Lichwell, Steve Lindsay, Lin Lisburger, Cabot Lyford, Lou Mastro, Andy Moerlin, Marjorie Moore, Bryce Muir, Jean Noon, Leo Osbourne, Elizabeth Ostrander, Patrick Plourde, Roger Prince, Riv Pyne, Andy Rosen, Merle Ruth, Sharon Townsend, Edith Tucker, Tacha Vosburgh, Kitty Wales, Sharon Wandell, Rebekah Raye, John Wilkinson and many more.
The Art Gallery on the Portland Campus of the University of New England in Portland, Maine, sometimes called “the Little Jewel,” was built in 1977. The Art Gallery mounts six exhibitions annually, ranging from contemporary fine art photography, international themes to works by women and Maine artists, in a variety of mediums. In addition, from June through October, an Annual Sculpture Garden Invitational is featured around the Gallery’s exterior. On occasion, exhibitions are arranged at other locations on both campuses, such as the current installation, “Into the Present,” featuring works on long-term loan from Dr. Gary D. Astrachan in and around the Parker Pavilion. The Art Gallery also houses a permanent collection of paintings, drawings, photographs and sculpture by nationally and internationally known artists. Selections are shown on a rotating basis on the Gallery’s Lower Level as well as in special exhibitions every 3rd year. The University of New England’s Art Gallery at the Portland Campus has a diverse and eclectic permanent collection of works of art. Acquired over the years by Westbrook College and, more recently, by the University, most of the collection has been the result of the generosity of artists, collectors and Westbrook College alumni who have donated these works to the College and University.
The collection ranges from a pair of primitives, circa 1840 of unknown origin, and two nineteenth century Franklin Stanwood oils to contemporary work by artists Maggie Foskett and Louise Peabody. The collection also includes works from the mid-twentieth century by such Maine artists as Thomas Crotty, George deLyra, Stephen Etnier, Vincent Hartgen, Dahlov Ipcar, John Muench and Laurence Sisson. There are bronze plaques by William Zorach, paintings by Alexander Bower and Maurice Utrillo, and works on paper by Hans Hofmann, Paul Klee, Kaethe Kollwitz, Leonardo Lasansky, Leo Meissner, and James McNeill Whistler. The Art Gallery also has a fine photography collection with works by Berenice Abbott, Todd Webb, Verner Reed, Lotte Jacobi, Lisette Model, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Arthur Rothstein, Lewis Hine, and Eugene Atget, among many others, including a number of contemporary Maine fine arts photographers. Visit the university gallery’s website at … http://www.une.edu/artgallery
