We have relatively few abstract sculptures. Hence our exhibits differ from the more prevalent abstract art collections. Our lives often are affected by the relationships between human couples, as well as among pairs in the animal kingdom.When we meet a couple we almost instinctively evaluate them. Do the mermaid and fisherman represent romantic lovers who believe that love can overcome nearly all obstacles, even bridge huge environmental disparities, such as living on land or under water? Do the “Scaries” family members fit well into an eccentric suburb or will they have problems? He seems to have a three-headed split personality, she appears to be a plastic surgeons dream, and junior has a face only a mother or an ambitious child psychologist could love. Does the pair of owls look stuffy and barren or are they looking forward to hatching an egg or two? Will an accordion playing bear pacify a rifle toting hunter who has already shot another bear?
The far end of the trail is devoted to driftwood sculptures. Most belong to the “rejuvenation” or “collaborative natural art” categories. The former include the carved pieces. Such pieces of dead wood were given a new use, hence “rejuvenated”. The pieces which were selected without additional carving, or where the carving is minimal, such as the addition of an eye, can be considered as an edited version of Mother Nature’s prolific productions. Mother Nature modifies, sculpts many pieces but they often look very similar. It is up to the artist to collaborate, select, edit and perhaps slightly adjust a Mother Nature creation. Hence the “collaborative, natural art” label.
Additional space is allocated for displaying work of other Maine artists and artisans. This space includes a section of weatherproof display cases for showing smaller objects. Several current or former Eastport Gallery members, including Elizabeth Ostrander and Lorraine Williams, a summer resident of our town, have contributed painted rocks. Acrylic paintings on wood were made by Karen McDonald, another Alexander artist. Douglas Poor created two original wood benches. Extensive landscaping with rocks was accomplished by Linda Richardson and Fred Olsen. The trail has been designed to allow additional temporary as well as permanent exhibits. If your or other artists are interested to display your work contact us, Edward and Grazina Paegle, at paegleed@gmail.com
