Ash & Sweetgrass Fancy Basket Workshop
with Molly Neptune Parker, Passamaquoddy
 |
| Molly Neptune Parker weaving. |
On
Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14, 2012, come to the Abbe
Museum to learn how to make an ash
and sweetgrass fancy basket with nationally acclaimed basketmaker
artist, Molly
Neptune Parker, Passamaquoddy. In this two day workshop, Molly will
take
students through the process of weaving an ash and sweetgrass basket. First, participants will choose a basket mold
from Molly’s collection. She will then
instruct how to weave the dyed or natural brown ash around the mold. To finish off their creations, participants
will learn how to make the decorative, colorful curls and weave
sweetgrass. Participants will leave with a
beautiful
basket of their own creation, and memories to last a lifetime! This
workshop
spans two days, 10:00-4:00 each day.
Both days are necessary to complete a finished fancy basket, but
it is
possible to make a basic basket if only participating in one day of the
workshop.
Recently it was announced that Molly has been
awarded the
prestigious National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship, (the nation’s
highest honor in folk and traditional arts). Molly has
been making baskets
for over half a century; during the 1950s when traditional basketmaking
experienced a decline in Maine,
Molly
was one of a handful of Wabanaki artists who carried on the
centuries-old
art form. Molly has been a leader in
preserving and passing along her knowledge of basketmaking.
“Basketmaking, for
me, is about innovation and creativity within the context of
traditional art
form,” she says.
Molly is the past president of the Maine Indian
Basketmakers
Alliance, and has mentored a number of young basketmakers, including
nationally-acclaimed
basketmaker Jeremy Frey, Passamaquoddy ( Frey received the 2011 Best of
Show award
at the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market and at the Santa Fe
Indian
Market) as well as her grandson, George Neptune, Passamaquoddy. All three currently have work on display at
the Abbe
Museum in the
exhibit entitled, Transcending Traditions: The Next Generation of
Maine
Indian Basketry.
Molly’s workshop will take place at the Abbe Museum,
26 Mount Desert Street. It fills quickly and pre- registration is
required. Abbe Members: $75/one day,
$120/both days. Non-members: $115/one day, $160/both days (includes
individual membership to the Abbe Museum).
The cost of
materials is included in the price. *Please
note that it may not be possible to create a lid and decorative
elements if
only participating in one day of the workshop.
For more information or to register for this
workshop,
please call or email Raney Bench, Curator of Education, at 207.288.3519.
Native American Festival & Basketmakers Market
Saturday, July 7, 2012,
10:00am - 4:00pm
Each summer brings the annual Native American Festival and Basketmakers Market, now in its second decade. Save the date for the 2012 festival on Saturday, July 7 from 10:00am to 4:00pm at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine. A collaboration between the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance and the Abbe Museum, this nationally renowned "Indian Market" features exquisite hand crafted Wabanaki ash and sweet grass baskets, wood and stone carvings, jewelry, beadwork, and dolls as well as other hand crafted items representing the beauty and culture of the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot people of Maine and the Maritimes.
Maine's first inhabitants can be traced back to over 12,000 years ago with many ancient village sites discovered along its coastal waters. In more recent history, the ancestors of today's Native artists traveled to summer encampments, set up in villages like Bar Harbor, and sold their wares to seasonal residents and tourists. In the spirit of that tradition, the Native American Festival fosters cultural connections between the Wabanaki and people from around the nation and the world.
Spend a beautiful day outside in this unique oceanside setting generously provided by the College of the Atlantic enjoying Native American singing, dancing, storytelling, demonstrations and food. The Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance and the Abbe Museum are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Wabanaki culture and arts, traditional and contemporary.
Take advantage of easy access to the College of the Atlantic on the FREE Island Explorer green electric buses which leave from many locations around the town; including most hotels, motels and campgrounds.
This Festival is free and open to the public.
Download the Festival Poster.
During the Festival, both Abbe Museum locations will have special hours:
Downtown Abbe Museum and Shop: 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Admission: $6 (Adults), $2 (Children 6-15)Price includes admission to Sieur de Monts location
Sieur de Monts Abbe Museum and Shop: 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Admission: $3 (Adults), $1 (Children 6-15)For more information call the Abbe Museum at 207-288-3519 or visit the Festival on Facebook!
Transcending Traditions Exhibit Reception
The Abbe is excited to share with our guests a wonderful
exhibit that has traveled to us from the Hudson Museum.
Transcending Traditions: The Next Generation and Maine Indian Basketry features
five contemporary Maine Indian basketmakers who represent the next generation:
Jeremy Frey, Ganessa Bryant, Sarah Sockbeson, George Neptune and Eric “Otter”
Bacon. Please join us for a special reception to celebrate this exhibit on Friday, July 6 from 4:00-6:00 PM. The reception is free and open to the public, and will take place at the Downtown Abbe Museum, 26 Mount Desert Street.
Each of these artists was commissioned to create a
masterwork for the exhibit section that showcases their work. This piece along
with other baskets made by the artist from private and institutional
collections traces how his or her work has evolved. Each exhibit section also
features a basket made by the person who taught them how to make baskets.
Transcending Traditions explores the new directions that these innovative
artists are taking the tradition in the face of environmental and economic
challenges.
This exhibit was created as a collaboration between the Hudson Museum
and the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance, and is supported by the National
Museum of American Indian’s Indigenous Contemporary Art Program.
Here are some images from this beautiful exhibit:
 |
| Eric Otter Bacon |
 |
| Jeremy Frey |
 |
| Jeremy Frey |
 |
| Sarah Sockbeson |
 |
| Ganessa Bryant |
 |
| George Neptune |
Welcome Summer, Welcome Abbe Summer Programs!
Raney Bench, Curator of Education
Throughout the year the Abbe offers a wide array of public programs
designed for all ages and interests, but the summer season offers
demonstrations, concerts, and workshops every week! The Abbe is
thrilled to continue its partnership with Acadia National Park and
co-host Cultural Connections demonstrations in the Park every Wednesday
through early September. Each week will feature a Wabanaki artist or
musician demonstrating his or her craft at different locations in the
Park. Please visit here for a detailed calendar and locations.
In addition to the Park programs, the Abbe is also hosting a series of demonstrations at our downtown location. Offered in connection with our award-winning exhibit Indians and Rusticators the theme for this years series is Enduring Legacies. As the exhibit makes clear, the Wabanaki have a long history of creating and selling art and experiences on Mount Desert Island that continues to this day. Many of the crafts that became important during Bar Harbors gilded age in the late 1800s remain important to Wabanaki people today. Ash and sweetgrass basketmaking, music, beading, and bark work will all be demonstrated at the Abbe once a month through the summer and fall. These programs are underwritten by Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, and through funding from the Maine Arts Commission, and details can be found on our website.
Finally, summer at the Abbe offers a unique experience to come and learn traditional crafts from master artists in our popular workshop series. Each year we offer workshops with master basketmakers and artists where participants can learn to work with traditional materials, create a work of art of their own to keep, and make a lifetime of memories and friendships to cherish. Molly Neptune Parker, Passamaquoddy, will be teaching her two day workshop on ash and sweetgrass baskets. Molly has recently been recognized for her contributions in advancing and preserving the art of basketry by the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship Award. All workshops require pre-registration, for more information refer to our on-line calendar, or call Raney Bench at 288-3519.
 |
| Molly Neptune Parker, who recently received a National Heritage Fellowship Award, will be leading a weaving workshop this July. |
In addition to the Park programs, the Abbe is also hosting a series of demonstrations at our downtown location. Offered in connection with our award-winning exhibit Indians and Rusticators the theme for this years series is Enduring Legacies. As the exhibit makes clear, the Wabanaki have a long history of creating and selling art and experiences on Mount Desert Island that continues to this day. Many of the crafts that became important during Bar Harbors gilded age in the late 1800s remain important to Wabanaki people today. Ash and sweetgrass basketmaking, music, beading, and bark work will all be demonstrated at the Abbe once a month through the summer and fall. These programs are underwritten by Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, and through funding from the Maine Arts Commission, and details can be found on our website.
Finally, summer at the Abbe offers a unique experience to come and learn traditional crafts from master artists in our popular workshop series. Each year we offer workshops with master basketmakers and artists where participants can learn to work with traditional materials, create a work of art of their own to keep, and make a lifetime of memories and friendships to cherish. Molly Neptune Parker, Passamaquoddy, will be teaching her two day workshop on ash and sweetgrass baskets. Molly has recently been recognized for her contributions in advancing and preserving the art of basketry by the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship Award. All workshops require pre-registration, for more information refer to our on-line calendar, or call Raney Bench at 288-3519.
Birch Bark Canoe Lecture
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| Photo by Darel Gabriel Bridges |
Thursday, June 14th from 7:00pm – 8:30pm David
Moses Bridges, Passamaquoddy, will present a lecture at the Abbe Museum
in downtown Bar Harbor, about the entire
process of making a birch bark canoe; from the hunt for the perfect birch tree,
to the launching of the finished product. He will bring along his own personal
14 foot canoe and tools, to show the details of what goes into making a birch
bark canoe. Recently, Bridges led a major project to build a 23 foot long ocean
canoe for the Passamaquoddy in Calais.
This particular canoe was based on an ocean canoe held in the collections of
the Maine State Museum;
it is designed to actually have a sail. Bridges will present a slide show
of this project as part of the lecture.
Bridges, along with being a renowned birch bark artist of international acclaim, was trained as a boat builder, which he did for several years before learning how to make birch bark canoes. He learned how to build a birch bark canoe from Steve Cayard, a renowned non-native canoe maker. Bridge’s grandfather was a canoe maker, but he died before he was able to pass along his knowledge to David. David inherited his grandfather’s tools, which are what he uses to build his own birchbark canoes and to teach new generations of Wabanaki this highly-specialized craft.
This lecture is free and open to the public.
Abbe Collections Hit the Road
One of the ways that the Abbe Museum
provides access to its collections is to loan pieces from the collection to
other museums for use in exhibits and research. At this moment, several pieces
from the Abbe’s permanent collection are at or on their way to borrowers for
exhibit.
Jeremy Frey’s large urchin basket with braided sweetgrass is
on loan to the Museum of Arts & Design for their exhibit Changing Hands: Art Without Reservation 3,
which will run at the museum in New York from June
26 - October 21, 2012, and will then travel to a variety of other museums
across the U.S. and Canada.
 |
| Jeremy Frey |
Tim Shay’s “Penobscot Deer Clown” will be spending the
summer at the Hudson Museum, as part of their exhibit Carved In Stone: Sculpture from Around the World. It is accompanied
by a fish effigy excavated at the N’tolonapemk Site in Washington
County, an ancestral Passamaquoddy
village on Meddybemps
Lake.
 |
| Fish Effigy |
 |
| Tim Shay |
Sarah Sockbeson’s wonderful fancy basket with a painted lid
recently featured in the Twisted Path II
exhibit is on its way to the Boston Children’s Museum to be included in their
upcoming exhibit, Native Arts, which runs from June 7 - September 9, 2012 and
accompanies their wonderful exhibit about Native communities in New England, Native
Voices.
 |
| Sarah Sockbeson |
Transcending Traditions is now open!
The Abbe is excited to share with our guests a wonderful
exhibit that has traveled to us from the Hudson Museum.
Transcending Traditions: The Next Generation and Maine Indian Basketry features
five contemporary Maine Indian basketmakers who represent the next generation:
Jeremy Frey, Ganessa Bryant, Sarah Sockbeson, George Neptune and Eric “Otter”
Bacon.
Each of these artists was commissioned to create a
masterwork for the exhibit section that showcases their work. This piece along
with other baskets made by the artist from private and institutional
collections traces how his or her work has evolved. Each exhibit section also
features a basket made by the person who taught them how to make baskets.
Transcending Traditions explores the new directions that these innovative
artists are taking the tradition in the face of environmental and economic
challenges.
This exhibit was created as a collaboration between the Hudson Museum
and the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance, and is supported by the National
Museum of American Indian’s Indigenous Contemporary Art Program.
Here are some images from this beautiful exhibit:
|
| Eric Otter Bacon |
|
| Jeremy Frey |
|
| Jeremy Frey |
|
| Sarah Sockbeson |
|
| Ganessa Bryant |
|
| George Neptune |
Other News & Events for June
There is always something happening at the Abbe, and this summer is no exception. Visit our online calendar for more information about upcoming programs and workshops.
Next up is the Spring Garden Tour at the WP Stewart Estate on June 2 and 9, with a basket demonstration at the gardens by Sarah Sockbeson on June 2nd. Shortly after is a birch bark canoe lecture by David Moses Bridges, Passamaquoddy, from 7:00 - 8:30 PM on Thursday, June 14.
Wabanaki Tales, Contemporary Setting, in Debut Play in the Bangor Daily News
Goodbye "Redskins": Maine is Free of Offensive Names in High Schools in Indian Country Today
Film Places the "Invisible" Front and Center in Fenceviewer
Maine Maliseet Rep Seeks new Office where Vote Counts in MPBN
Penobscot Author Publishes Children's Book about Baskets, Culture, Family in the Bangor Daily News. Kunu's Basket by Lee DeCora Francis, this wonderful new book, is now available in the Abbe Shop!
Abbe Hosts Panel Talk on Emotional Politics in Fenceviewer
Estate's Extensive Gardens Open for Tour in Fenceviewer
Exhibit at the Boston Children's Museum Native Voices: New England Tribal Families
Exhibit at the Hudson Museum Transcending Traditions: The Next Generation and Maine Indian Basketry on exhibit through May 2012 before traveling to the Abbe Museum.
MIBA Events
Next Up: The Native American Festival and Basketmakers Market in Bar Harbor on July 7th
Tribes of the Dawn Land Cultural and Heritage Days for 2012
Next up is the Spring Garden Tour at the WP Stewart Estate on June 2 and 9, with a basket demonstration at the gardens by Sarah Sockbeson on June 2nd. Shortly after is a birch bark canoe lecture by David Moses Bridges, Passamaquoddy, from 7:00 - 8:30 PM on Thursday, June 14.
 |
| David Moses Bridges, Passamaquoddy, will give a talk about the process of making a birch bark canoe, and his training in becoming a master builder. David will bring his personal 14 foot canoe and some of the tools he uses to make canoes. He will also show a slide show of a recent project he led to build a 23 foot long ocean canoe for the Passamaquoddy. |
Other events and demonstrations will follow soon thereafter, so make sure to mark your calendar now!
There
are also a number of upcoming Wabanaki events that are open to the
public. The following links are a sample of some upcoming activities
and recent articles that may interest you. Know of more? Feel free to
post them on our Facebook page!
Wabanaki Tales, Contemporary Setting, in Debut Play in the Bangor Daily News
Goodbye "Redskins": Maine is Free of Offensive Names in High Schools in Indian Country Today
Film Places the "Invisible" Front and Center in Fenceviewer
Maine Maliseet Rep Seeks new Office where Vote Counts in MPBN
Penobscot Author Publishes Children's Book about Baskets, Culture, Family in the Bangor Daily News. Kunu's Basket by Lee DeCora Francis, this wonderful new book, is now available in the Abbe Shop!
Abbe Hosts Panel Talk on Emotional Politics in Fenceviewer
Estate's Extensive Gardens Open for Tour in Fenceviewer
Exhibit at the Boston Children's Museum Native Voices: New England Tribal Families
Exhibit at the Hudson Museum Transcending Traditions: The Next Generation and Maine Indian Basketry on exhibit through May 2012 before traveling to the Abbe Museum.
MIBA Events
Next Up: The Native American Festival and Basketmakers Market in Bar Harbor on July 7th
Tribes of the Dawn Land Cultural and Heritage Days for 2012
Abbe Museum Hosts a Conversation with Wabanaki Community Members
Thursday, May 17th from 7:00pm – 9:00pm the Abbe Museum,
downtown Bar Harbor, will host a program entitled,
Moving Past Emotional Politics: A
Conversation with Wabanaki Community Members. This free program will feature
a panel of representatives from each of the five Wabanaki communities in Maine - the Maliseet,
Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot – who will discuss projects and programs in
their communities that promote collaborations based specifically on the needs
of their individual communities. The panel discussion will examine the complex
history of relationships between non-Native and Native people, while also
providing an opportunity for audience participation.
Moderated by University of Maine Professor, John Bear
Mitchell, Penobscot, participants will gain a greater understanding of modern
Wabanaki communities and their priorities.
An exploration of opportunities where Native and non-Native people can
work together, guided by the needs and interests of Wabanaki communities will
be an outcome for the discussion, as well as a platform for Wabanaki
representatives to come together and share specific community projects and
programs. “This is a truly unique
opportunity to explore important issues and insights from a variety of perspectives,”
said Mitchell.
This free program is coordinated with the launch of the AbbeMuseum’s online exhibit Headline News:Wabanaki Sovereignty in the 21st Century, which was a featured
exhibit at the Abbe from 2010-2011. The
exhibit dealt with contemporary issues affecting the tribes in Maine, as told through
Wabanaki voices. The online exhibit will continue to evolve as new topics are added
to reflect the current political and cultural environment in Maine. Topics include: environmental
management, the threat of the emerald ash borer beetle, language retention,
identity, gaming, and more. Of special
interest is an overview of the Truth and Reconciliation process unique to Maine, with Esther
Attean, Passamaquoddy Youth & Community Engagement Team at the Cutler
Institute for Health & Social Policy, Muskie School of Public Service.
Other News & Events for May
There is always something happening at the Abbe, and this spring is no exception! Please visit our online calendar for more details.
Up next is a children's workshop led by Passamaquoddy artist David Moses Bridges. David will teach children ages 5 through 18 the art of etching designs into birch bark. David is a master artist who specializes in birch bark canoes and traditional birch bark containers. He is also fluent in Passamaquoddy, and entertains children with oral histories while they work. Participants can use David's stencils to recreate Passamaquoddy designs, or create their own designs. Children may attend either a 11:00-12:00 session or a 1:30-2:30 session, but pre-registration is required. Contact Curator of Education Raney Bench to register your child.
Other events and demonstrations will follow soon thereafter, so make sure to mark your calendar now!
There are also a number of upcoming Wabanaki events that are open to the public. The following links are a sample of some upcoming activities and recent articles that may interest you. Know of more? Feel free to post them to our Facebook or other social pages!
Read a wonderful article about Rhonda Besaw's beaded bags in Native Country Today: Proud to Bead Abenaki: A Conversation with Abenaki Beadworker Rhonda Besaw
Read about the the Boston Marathon team that raised money for the Penobscot River Restoration Project
Last "Redskins" Mascot in Maine School May be Dropped read the article in Indian Country Today
Read about Donald Soctomah's Earth Day message to the students at Berwick Academy in seacoastonline.com
Read about the 30th Annual Native American Fish & Wildlife Society National Conference co-hosted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, an article in the Cherokee One Feather
Exhibit at the Boston Children's Museum Native Voices: New England Tribal Families
Exhibit at the Hudson Museum Transcending Traditions: The Next Generation and Maine Indian Basketry on exhibit through May 2012 before traveling to the Abbe Museum.
MIBA Events
Next Up: The Native American Festival and Basketmakers Market in Bar Harbor on July 7th
Tribes of the Dawn Land Cultural and Heritage Days for 2012
Other events and demonstrations will follow soon thereafter, so make sure to mark your calendar now!
There are also a number of upcoming Wabanaki events that are open to the public. The following links are a sample of some upcoming activities and recent articles that may interest you. Know of more? Feel free to post them to our Facebook or other social pages!
 |
| Rhonda Besaw's beaded purse "Rebirth" |
Read about the the Boston Marathon team that raised money for the Penobscot River Restoration Project
Last "Redskins" Mascot in Maine School May be Dropped read the article in Indian Country Today
Read about Donald Soctomah's Earth Day message to the students at Berwick Academy in seacoastonline.com
Read about the 30th Annual Native American Fish & Wildlife Society National Conference co-hosted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, an article in the Cherokee One Feather
Exhibit at the Boston Children's Museum Native Voices: New England Tribal Families
Exhibit at the Hudson Museum Transcending Traditions: The Next Generation and Maine Indian Basketry on exhibit through May 2012 before traveling to the Abbe Museum.
MIBA Events
Next Up: The Native American Festival and Basketmakers Market in Bar Harbor on July 7th
Tribes of the Dawn Land Cultural and Heritage Days for 2012
The Abbe Museum Hosts Local Businesses
 |
| Thanks to Chiaolin Korona, owner of Chow Maine, for providing such delicious food! |
On April 26 the Abbe
Museum was the host of
the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours.
We had a great turnout of local business owners who were able to check
out the Student Art Show as well as the Indians and Rusticators Exhibit. The
Business After Hours at the Abbe
Museum was generously
supported by a number of our community partners, who donated wine and food to
make the event a success. The Abbe Museum
would like to thank A.B. & J.R. Hodgkins and Pleasant Street Pilates for
their donation of wine for this event, and Chow Maine
of Southwest Harbor for donating a delicious array of
Asian specialties. Additional hors d’oeuvres
were provided by the Abbe
Museum’s Culinary Arts
Committee, a group of volunteers who love to prepare treats for our events. We would also like to thank Bar Harbor Whale
Watch for donating two tickets aboard the Night Sky Festival Cruise to our
lucky raffle winners! Thank you to all
our partners in the Mount Desert Island Community for all their support!
The following week the Abbe
Museum hosted a Hospitality &
Tourism Open House for our partners in the tourism industry, including the many
Bar Harbor inns, B&B’s, and hotels. As the busy season approaches we hope that our
neighbors have the opportunity to visit the Abbe Museum’s
special exhibitions so that they can become advocates for the Abbe, sharing
information about what we have to offer to their interested guests. If you have not been to the Abbe Museum
recently and would like to experience what we have available for your customers
and guests, please contact us to learn how we can help add value to the Bar Harbor experience.
Upcoming Opportunities to Experience Cultural Institutions for FREE!
Friday, May 18, 2012 is International Museum Day! The Abbe will join other institutions around
the globe celebration museums in a changing world by offering free admission
all day. To learn more about
International Museum Day and how others are celebrating, please visit here.
Saturday, May 19, 2012 is Maine Member Day! Museums and Cultural Institutions throughout Maine are partnering for
the second annual Maine Member Day. If
you are a member of the Abbe Museum, you can enjoy FREE admission at these institutions: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Maine
Discovery Museum, Maine Maritime Museum,
Ogunquit Museum of American Art, Owls
Head Transportation
Museum, and the Portland
Museum of Art. Just don’t forget to pack
your membership card!
And if you happen to be a member of one of those
participating organizations you can visit the Abbe Museum
for free that day! We have a lot
happening that Saturday, so you are sure to enjoy your afternoon in Bar Harbor. From
11:00-12:00 and 1:30-2:30 David Moses Bridges, Passamaquoddy, will teach
children ages 5-18 the art of etching designs in birch bark. The program is free, but children must be pre-registered as space is limited. As a
bonus, May 19th wraps up a week of dining events and deals as part
of the Taste of Bar Harbor with the Bar Harbor Merchants Association Sidewalk
Stroll & Craft Fair. Visit ourcalendar for more information.
Save the Date for July 18!
 |
| Photo by Rogier van Bakel |
On July 18th, 2012 the Abbe Museum
will host our annual Gathering Gala Auction & Dinner at the Bar Harbor
Club. This evening of elegance will
begin at 5:00 with cocktails and a silent auction. A presidential style dinner of Prime Rib, Georges Bank Stuffed Haddock, or Vegetarian Carnival Squash will be served at 7:00, and our Live
Auction will begin during dessert. At
the conclusion of the auction, guests will be entertained by the live music of
Jones’n until the party ends at 11 PM.
Join us for this exciting evening of friends, food, art, and fun…all in
support of the Abbe
Museum! Tickets for the evening are $150 per
person. Preview this year’s auction
items or submit an absentee bid by visiting our website, or contact Nora for
more information.
 |
| Weekend on the Sound by Corrine Carbone |
Spring Garden Tour at the W.P. Stewart Estate June 2 & 9
 |
| Painting by Sarah Sockbeson, Penobscot |
Please join us on June 2 and 9, 2012 for the 11th
annual Spring Garden Tour at the W.P. Stewart Estate. Come wander this gorgeous
property located at 23 Sargeant
Drive in Northeast Harbor
overlooking Somes Sound. Newly opened paths of rhododendrons and azaleas
promise to amaze as we jump into another beautiful Maine spring!
This year a special basket demonstration by Native artist
Sarah Sockbeson will take place on Saturday, June 2nd. Tickets for
the garden tour are $15 and are available at the gates from 9:30-3:30. Proceeds
benefit the Abbe Museum. For more information please
check out our website springgardentour.org or call Nora at 288-3519.
2012 Waponahki Student Art Show now open!
The Abbe
Museum, in partnership
with Maine Indian Education, is pleased to present the 11th Waponahki Student
Art Show. This annual exhibition demonstrates the strong collaborative
spirit of two institutions devoted to promoting art education and celebrating Waponahki
culture. We are thrilled to have the work of these talented young
Waponahki artists coloring the walls of the Abbe and welcoming the arrival of
spring and summer.
The 35 featured artists are from the Penobscot Nation at Indian Island, and the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township and Pleasant Point. They range in age from pre-kindergarten through the twelfth grade. The styles, mediums and images vary throughout the exhibition, but nature and culture clearly have a strong presence in many of these original works.
The 35 featured artists are from the Penobscot Nation at Indian Island, and the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township and Pleasant Point. They range in age from pre-kindergarten through the twelfth grade. The styles, mediums and images vary throughout the exhibition, but nature and culture clearly have a strong presence in many of these original works.
As guests of the Waponahki Student Art Show, we are invited
on a unique journey into the imaginations of these young people; through their
expressive works of art we glimpse their lives, culture and natural
surroundings. Watercolor, crayon, pastel and finger-paint are employed
with confidence to bring images to life: a dancing fox, bright red blueberry
bushes, dream catchers, colorful turtles and bears. The words used by the
students to describe the inspiration for their art are straightforward and
simple, but can be both moving and provocative at once.
The 2012 Waponahki Student Art Show opened in late April, and will be on
exhibit through September. This month we
look forward to the private reception for the young artists and their families,
where each student is celebrated with a framed certificate and a package of art
goodies to encourage future creativity.
When the exhibition leaves the Abbe the art will be returned to the
students professionally framed, thanks to the generosity of K.A. McDonald
Picture Framing in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Transcending Traditions: The Next Generation and Maine Indian Basketry
Coming to us from the Hudson Museum at the University of Maine, Orono, Transcending Traditions features five contemporary Maine Indian basketmakers who represent the next generation: Jeremy Frey, Ganessa Bryant, Sarah Sockbeson, George Neptune, and Eric "Otter" Bacon. This stunning exhibit will be open to visitors on May 24th at the Downtown Abbe Museum. A formal reception will be held later in the summer.
Each of these artists was commissioned to create a masterwork for their
featured section that showcases their work. This piece along with
other baskets made by the artist from private and institutional
collections traces how his or her work has evolved. Each exhibit
section will also features a basket made by the person who taught the
featured artists how to weave. The goal of this project is to explore
the new directions that these innovative artists are taking the
tradition in the face of environmental and economic challenges.
Transcending Traditions is supported by a grant from the National Museum of the American Indian's Indigenous Contemporary Arts Program. The exhibit was created as a collaboration between the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance and the Hudson Museum, and we are thrilled to be able to share to welcome it here to the Abbe Museum.
 |
| Ganessa Bryant, Penobscot |
Transcending Traditions is supported by a grant from the National Museum of the American Indian's Indigenous Contemporary Arts Program. The exhibit was created as a collaboration between the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance and the Hudson Museum, and we are thrilled to be able to share to welcome it here to the Abbe Museum.
Call for Trustee Nominations
The
Governance Committee wants to know if you have an interest in engaging
more with the Abbe Museum. Recently, the Trustees adopted a new process
where Abbe Museum members annually elect Trustees. Previously, the Corporators had this duty but in order to streamline functions and make
the election process more transparent, the Trustees dissolved the
Corporator program earlier this year and enabled members with voting
rights.
To be considered for Trustee service, please email Barbara McLeod, Vice President of the Board of Trustees, with your name, contact information, and a brief statement as to why you would like to be nominated for board service. All submissions will be considered in relation to the current needs of the board, e.g. diversity, strategic and business needs, and other needs.
For more information about trustee expectations or the election process, please contact Barbara McLeod or Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, Abbe CEO, for more information. Nominations for the 2012 election cycle will be accepted until May 15, 2012.
The Abbe Underground Twisted Path II Exhibit Closing Party
The launch of the Abbe Underground, a young friends group
for ages 21-40, was a huge success at our kick-off party here at the Museum on
April 13, 2012. With more than 65 guests, we managed to raise over $1000 for
our Abbe Museum Sustainability Initiative.
A fun time was had by all as the Undergrounders explored the exhibits, danced
in the circle and counted down to the closing of our recent exhibit, Twisted
Path II. Many of the guests had never
visited the Museum before and the overwhelming sentiment was that the Abbe Museum
should have more events catered towards the young professionals crowd on Mount Desert Island. Thanks to everyone for coming!
An enormous amount of gratitude is due to Side Street Café for underwriting the event as well as hosting the fabulous
after-party with the Trisha Mason Band.
Thanks to their generosity we were able to throw a fantastic party!
The Abbe on the Road
From time to time, Abbe staff travel throughout Maine, connecting with collaborative partners, visiting with donors, and meeting with Native artists and advisers. On Wednesday, March 28, the Abbe hit the road for some business Downeast. The trip included Abbe Museum CEO Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, Director of Development Hannah Whalen, Manager of Museum Services Astra Haldeman, and Guest Services Associate Whitney Thurston. We thought our readers would like a peek at our travelogue.
7:04 AM
Left Cinnamon's House. It was very early for Astra and Whitney, who are not morning people. Cinnamon and Hannah were ready to go.
7:11 AM
Town Hill Market. Before leaving MDI we had to stop for coffee. And who could resist fresh-baked lemon poppy seed muffins? Not us...mmmmm, they were zesty.
7:43 AM
We passed Sullivan Harbor Farm Smokehouse, our newest Community Partner at the Business Associate Level. Soon after we passed Lunaform and then Hog Bay Pottery, both supporters of the Gathering Gala. Lunaform will be donating a small tulip planter for this year's auction, and Hog Bay's donation is still a surprise!
7:46 AM
A break in the trees allowed us a beautiful view of MDI...
7:52 AM
We passed the turn-off to the location for the 2012 Field School in Archaeology. The Field School has been excavating this particular spot over the past couple of years, and there were some very exciting finds last year!
8:36 AM
With Whitney in the car, we celebrated our passage through Whitneyville!
8:40 AM
We reached Machias, our first destination that day.
8:46 AM
Because we arrived in Machias a bit early, we had time to sit down for coffee. We stopped at the Towne Fryer, where we enjoyed delicious donuts and warm drinks. Astra couldn't resist a strawberry shortcake with fresh strawberries and freshly baked biscuits, topped decadently with freshly whipped cream! Delicious!
9:19 AM
We arrived at Machias Savings Bank, where Cinnamon and Hannah met with Ed Hennessy, CEO, and Larry Barker, President, to thank Machias for their generous support of the Abbe's upcoming exhibit N'tolonapemk: Our Ancestors' Place. Machias Savings Bank is sponsoring the exhibit which will be opening in November, and it is co-curated by Donald Soctomah, Passamaquoddy Tribal Historian.
9:19 AM
Meanwhile, in the car, Astra and Whitney discussed their inventory wish-list for the Abbe Shop in 2012 and planned their buying strategy for the year.
10:21 AM
We moved across town to Helen's Restaurant, for a meeting between Maine Office of Tourism and representatives of Maine's Historic Bold Coast, a collaborative group of museums, historic properties, and other cultural organizations from Ellsworth to Compobello. Learn more at historiccoast.net
10:27 AM
Meanwhile, Astra and Whitney were meant to drive the car back into Machias. But there was one problem: What do we do with this strange key?
10:31 AM
A few minutes later, Astra and Whitney were still stuck in the parking lot. Apparently, car keys have evolved.
11:45 AM
Astra and Whitney sat down for lunch at Helen's Restaurant. They began writing this blog post, and realized that so far, it sounded a bit like a food blog. We promise we did more than eat, but we just can't resist sharing these photos of the wonderful foods we found along the way:
12:04 PM
Whitney and Astra ordered sandwiches for Hannah and Cinnamon, who were still busy in their meeting.
12:35 PM
The four of us were back on the road, on our way to Pleasant Point.
1:42 PM
We arrived at Pleasant Point, one of the two Passamaquoddy reservations in Washington County, where we planned to make some purchases for the Shop. Astra and Whitney met with some artists in the Bingo Hall, and afterwards visited Clara Keezer at her home. We have lots of new and exciting baskets, jewelry and more in the Abbe Shop because of this trip...so come by and check it out! Meanwhile, Hannah and Cinnamon enjoyed a tour of the Waponahki Museum with Brenda Moore-Mitchell, one of the new members of the Abbe Museum's Native Advisory Council. Many exciting collaborative ideas were discussed!
4:22 PM
Snow was falling as we left Pleasant Point for the drive back to Bar Harbor.
4:37 PM
We didn't get too far until we needed to fill-up at the gas station. We hoped the unexpected snow wouldn't make our drive home too difficult.
4:43 PM
Whitney enjoyed browsing through Cinnamon's impressive music collection, selecting upbeat tunes to make the journey seem shorter.
4:52 PM
Was it the music, the snow, or the inspiration of our many meetings that day? Whatever the cause, Hannah had a great idea. We don't want to give it away, but if all goes well it may direct first-time Bar Harbor tourists to the Abbe this summer.
4:58 PM
We passed the turn to Roosevelt Campobello International Park, one of the Historic Bold Coast partners.
5:35 PM
We passed another institution on the Bold Coast's cultural tour, the Ruggles House.
5:44 PM
"It looks like November, but I'm really glad it's not." Well stated, Hannah. We all agree.
6:39 PM
We crossed the bridge onto Mount Desert Island.
6:49 PM
We stopped in Somesville, where we split up to travel our separate ways home.
Join us next time!
7:04 AM
Left Cinnamon's House. It was very early for Astra and Whitney, who are not morning people. Cinnamon and Hannah were ready to go.
7:11 AM
Town Hill Market. Before leaving MDI we had to stop for coffee. And who could resist fresh-baked lemon poppy seed muffins? Not us...mmmmm, they were zesty.
7:43 AM
We passed Sullivan Harbor Farm Smokehouse, our newest Community Partner at the Business Associate Level. Soon after we passed Lunaform and then Hog Bay Pottery, both supporters of the Gathering Gala. Lunaform will be donating a small tulip planter for this year's auction, and Hog Bay's donation is still a surprise!
7:46 AM
A break in the trees allowed us a beautiful view of MDI...
7:52 AM
We passed the turn-off to the location for the 2012 Field School in Archaeology. The Field School has been excavating this particular spot over the past couple of years, and there were some very exciting finds last year!
8:36 AM
With Whitney in the car, we celebrated our passage through Whitneyville!
8:40 AM
We reached Machias, our first destination that day.
8:46 AM
Because we arrived in Machias a bit early, we had time to sit down for coffee. We stopped at the Towne Fryer, where we enjoyed delicious donuts and warm drinks. Astra couldn't resist a strawberry shortcake with fresh strawberries and freshly baked biscuits, topped decadently with freshly whipped cream! Delicious!
9:19 AM
We arrived at Machias Savings Bank, where Cinnamon and Hannah met with Ed Hennessy, CEO, and Larry Barker, President, to thank Machias for their generous support of the Abbe's upcoming exhibit N'tolonapemk: Our Ancestors' Place. Machias Savings Bank is sponsoring the exhibit which will be opening in November, and it is co-curated by Donald Soctomah, Passamaquoddy Tribal Historian.
9:19 AMMeanwhile, in the car, Astra and Whitney discussed their inventory wish-list for the Abbe Shop in 2012 and planned their buying strategy for the year.
10:21 AM
We moved across town to Helen's Restaurant, for a meeting between Maine Office of Tourism and representatives of Maine's Historic Bold Coast, a collaborative group of museums, historic properties, and other cultural organizations from Ellsworth to Compobello. Learn more at historiccoast.net
10:27 AMMeanwhile, Astra and Whitney were meant to drive the car back into Machias. But there was one problem: What do we do with this strange key?
10:31 AM
A few minutes later, Astra and Whitney were still stuck in the parking lot. Apparently, car keys have evolved.
11:45 AM
Astra and Whitney sat down for lunch at Helen's Restaurant. They began writing this blog post, and realized that so far, it sounded a bit like a food blog. We promise we did more than eat, but we just can't resist sharing these photos of the wonderful foods we found along the way:
Whitney and Astra ordered sandwiches for Hannah and Cinnamon, who were still busy in their meeting.
12:35 PM
The four of us were back on the road, on our way to Pleasant Point.
1:42 PM
We arrived at Pleasant Point, one of the two Passamaquoddy reservations in Washington County, where we planned to make some purchases for the Shop. Astra and Whitney met with some artists in the Bingo Hall, and afterwards visited Clara Keezer at her home. We have lots of new and exciting baskets, jewelry and more in the Abbe Shop because of this trip...so come by and check it out! Meanwhile, Hannah and Cinnamon enjoyed a tour of the Waponahki Museum with Brenda Moore-Mitchell, one of the new members of the Abbe Museum's Native Advisory Council. Many exciting collaborative ideas were discussed!
4:22 PM
Snow was falling as we left Pleasant Point for the drive back to Bar Harbor.
4:37 PM
We didn't get too far until we needed to fill-up at the gas station. We hoped the unexpected snow wouldn't make our drive home too difficult.
4:43 PM
Whitney enjoyed browsing through Cinnamon's impressive music collection, selecting upbeat tunes to make the journey seem shorter.
4:52 PM
Was it the music, the snow, or the inspiration of our many meetings that day? Whatever the cause, Hannah had a great idea. We don't want to give it away, but if all goes well it may direct first-time Bar Harbor tourists to the Abbe this summer.
4:58 PM
We passed the turn to Roosevelt Campobello International Park, one of the Historic Bold Coast partners.
5:35 PM
We passed another institution on the Bold Coast's cultural tour, the Ruggles House.
5:44 PM
"It looks like November, but I'm really glad it's not." Well stated, Hannah. We all agree.
6:39 PM
We crossed the bridge onto Mount Desert Island.
6:49 PM
We stopped in Somesville, where we split up to travel our separate ways home.
Join us next time!
What do YOU think?
Throughout 2012 the Abbe Museum will be evaluating our membership structure. If you have a few minutes to help with this project, please complete our membership survey. The survey is designed for members, non-members, and expired members...every opinion counts!
Click Here to Take the Survey Now
More about the survey:
Thanks to our members, the Abbe Museum is able to fulfill our mission to inspire new learning about the Wabanaki Nations with every visit through education, exhibitions, and innovative programs. Members support the financial well-being of the Abbe Museum, while enjoying exclusive benefits, renewable each year at various levels of support. Membership is popular among museum lovers, families, teachers, students, residents of Mount Desert Island, and frequent visitors to the Acadia Region. Many levels of Abbe Membership include the North American Reciprocal Museums program, allowing our members to enjoy free admission at participating museums across North America.
This year, the Abbe Museum will be evaluating our membership program to make sure our members are satisfied. Please take a few moments to answer the following questions. If you are not a member, you too can help! If you have additional comments you'd like to share, please contact Astra at 207.288.3519 or astra@abbemuseum.org
Survey responses are anonymous. Thanks again!
More about the survey:
Thanks to our members, the Abbe Museum is able to fulfill our mission to inspire new learning about the Wabanaki Nations with every visit through education, exhibitions, and innovative programs. Members support the financial well-being of the Abbe Museum, while enjoying exclusive benefits, renewable each year at various levels of support. Membership is popular among museum lovers, families, teachers, students, residents of Mount Desert Island, and frequent visitors to the Acadia Region. Many levels of Abbe Membership include the North American Reciprocal Museums program, allowing our members to enjoy free admission at participating museums across North America.
This year, the Abbe Museum will be evaluating our membership program to make sure our members are satisfied. Please take a few moments to answer the following questions. If you are not a member, you too can help! If you have additional comments you'd like to share, please contact Astra at 207.288.3519 or astra@abbemuseum.org
Survey responses are anonymous. Thanks again!