CLYNK - Community Cash for the Abbe!
Did you know that your returnables can benefit the Abbe? The Abbe Museum is part of CLYNK's Community Cash Program, so it is easy to do two good deeds at once--recycle & support the Abbe!
Supporting the Abbe Museum through CLYNK is easy! If you already use CLYNK, visit the kiosk at participating Hannaford Stores, and follow the on-screen directions to print bag tags for the Abbe Museum (choose "Community Cash" and search "Abbe Museum"). Or stop by the Abbe Museum during our regular open hours and ask for pre-printed bag tags and CLYNK bags.
Every little bit adds up, and CLYNK is an easy way to make a difference! The Abbe Museum would like to thank all those who have supported the Museum through CLYNK, such as Julie Malloy and her family, who last month donated over 16 bags of returnables to benefit the Abbe!
How do all these donations add up? Check out our current stats to see how we are doing:
Supporting the Abbe Museum through CLYNK is easy! If you already use CLYNK, visit the kiosk at participating Hannaford Stores, and follow the on-screen directions to print bag tags for the Abbe Museum (choose "Community Cash" and search "Abbe Museum"). Or stop by the Abbe Museum during our regular open hours and ask for pre-printed bag tags and CLYNK bags.
Every little bit adds up, and CLYNK is an easy way to make a difference! The Abbe Museum would like to thank all those who have supported the Museum through CLYNK, such as Julie Malloy and her family, who last month donated over 16 bags of returnables to benefit the Abbe!
How do all these donations add up? Check out our current stats to see how we are doing:
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| Click to enlarge. CLYNK Community Cash Stats are available from the CLYNK website. |
The 2012 Gala: One for the Record Books!
By Hannah Whalen, Director of Development
After the close of the silent auction, guests made their way
into the ballroom for dinner. Tables
were elegantly decorated with green overlays and unique birch bark and floral
centerpieces created and donated by Lindy Stretch of Fox Fields Flowers. Bottles of Estate Riverstone, Chardonnay and
Estate Los Osos, Merlot donated by J.Lohr Vineyards and Wines were open on the
tables.
The Abbe
Museum is pleased to report the most
successful Gathering Gala it has had since it began hosting this annual event
at the Bar Harbor Club. Through ticket
sales, sponsorships, outright gifts, auction purchases, and a special paddle
raise, the Abbe received over $110,000 of generous support. 64 auction artists and experience donors, 20
sponsors and 250 guests (including the Abbe Underground young friends group)
made the evening possible.
“The Gala was a resounding success with many records set,”
declared Abbe CEO, Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko the day after the Gala. She went on to say, “the staff and I are over
the moon today and are so grateful for all of this incredible support.”
The evening of July 18 started at 5:00pm with cocktails,
beer donated by Atlantic Brewing Company, passed hors d’oeuvres and a silent
auction.
“The silent auction had about fifty things,” said Ellen
Gilmore, Abbe Volunteer, “and there was a wide variety including a number of
experiences that guests could bid on.”
One notable item was an ash and sweetgrass collar basket,
woven by master basketmaker, Molly Neptune Parker, Passamaquoddy, one of nine
artists in the country to receive the 2012 National Endowment for the Arts
National Heritage Fellowship. The auction experiences included a VIP tour of
the National Museum of the American Indian and lunch
at the renowned Mitsitam Café.
During dinner, auctioneer, (and former Abbe board member) Senator
Dennis Damon, led guests through the live auction. Part-way through, Abbe Team members, Nora
Miller and Astra Haldeman, joined Senator Damon to introduce the “Greening the Abbe” Initiative and paddle raise.
“The Abbe Museum is
the sum of many parts and what makes the Museum relevant are those individuals,
like all of you who attend or lead our programs, engage with our exhibits, come
to the Gala, and support our mission,” said Ms. Haldeman, she went on to say,
“You are the reason the Abbe Museum exists, and you have the ability to
facilitate our transformation into a more sustainable organization and that is
why we are relying on you tonight.”
The Greening paddle raise inspired more than $30K in gifts,
which will allow the Abbe to start the greening process immediately. The first phase of the Greening Initiative will address lighting, humidification, UV reduction and mechanical systems software.
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| This model birch bark canoe by Butch Phillips was a popular live auction item at the 2012 Gala. |
As dessert arrived, so did the final items up for bid, a
hand-painted paddle by Eric Hopkins, a decorative wooden paddle by Joe Tracy
and lastly, a two-foot model birchbark canoe made by Butch Phillips, Penobscot.
All three items spurred lively bidding, especially Phillip’s canoe, as it is
the first and only 2 foot canoe that he has built or will ever build.
When asked how he felt about what it meant to see his canoe
generate such enthusiastic support, Mr. Phillips said, “I am overwhelmed and satisfied that I had a
small part in contributing to the success of the Gala for the Abbe.”
He added, “It was more than I expected and it really shows
what can happen when you have such dedicated friends of the Abbe who have an
appreciation for art.”
After the auction things got even livelier with live music,
dancing and the arrival of the Abbe Underground.
“It was a great night for the Abbe, the energy in the room
was palpable,” said Board President, Sandy Wilcox. “We are so grateful to our old friends and
new friends for attending the Gala and making it such a wonderful success. I am
also grateful for the hard work of all of the artists who donated their time
and talent, to the experience donors, to our generous sponsors and to all of
our Gala volunteers, especially our 2012 Gala Committee.”
Other News & Events for August
There is always something happening at the Abbe, and this summer is no exception! Please visit our online calendar regularly for more details and updates.
Up next are basket demonstrations by Fred Tomah (July 27), George Neptune (August 1), and a basket workshop led by David Moses Bridges (August 2 & 3). We hope you can join us!
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!
NEWS
Maine Attraction: Ambitious Cultural Tourism Initiative Puts Wabanaki on the Map read about it on Indian Country Today Media Network
Tribal Leaders & State Officials Form Commission to Prevent Child Abuse read and watch on WABI TV5
Kolodny's In Search of First Contact Reviews History, and Then Some read about it on Indian Country Today Media Network
Penobscot Nation Program Aims to Promote Breast-Feeding as Step Toward Improving Health read and watch on BangorDailyNews.com
Passamaquoddy Nation Seeks to Free Alewives on the St. Croix River read about it on Indian Country Today Media Network
Passamaquoddy Tribal Members to Share 10.2 Million read about it on BangorDailyNews.com
Abbe Wins Prestigious Award on fenceviewer
Click Here to Check Out the News Links Posted In "Other News & Events for July"
EVENTS
Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance Events
47th Annual Sipayik Indian Day Celebration: Friday, August 10 - Sunday, August 12, 2012
This annual event begins with a canoe trip from Indian Township on Thursday, August 9. Opening ceremonies take place at noon on Friday, at Split Rock, Pleasant Point. The Indian Day Celebration features a full weekend of events, live music, vendors, and other activities. It concludes with a Grand Finale of Traditional Dancing and Drumming on Sunday at 2:00 pm followed by a community meal. All events are drug and alcohol free, and all are welcome. For more information, call 207.853.2600
Aroostook Band of Micmacs Mawiomi of Tribes 2012: Friday, August 17 - Sunday, August 19, 2012
A'pjilasi - Welcome. You are cordially invited to join the Aroostook Band of Micmacs in celebration of the Mawiomi of Tribes. Join in tradition through song, dance, food and ceremonies. For more information, download the poster, visit the website, email or call 207.764.1972. Please note that this is a drug and alcohol free event. No admission fee. Location: Spruce Haven, Doyle Road, Caribou, Maine
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| Throughout August there will be two educational programs each week. Check our online calendar for complete listings. |
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!
NEWS
Maine Attraction: Ambitious Cultural Tourism Initiative Puts Wabanaki on the Map read about it on Indian Country Today Media Network
Tribal Leaders & State Officials Form Commission to Prevent Child Abuse read and watch on WABI TV5
Kolodny's In Search of First Contact Reviews History, and Then Some read about it on Indian Country Today Media Network
Penobscot Nation Program Aims to Promote Breast-Feeding as Step Toward Improving Health read and watch on BangorDailyNews.com
Passamaquoddy Nation Seeks to Free Alewives on the St. Croix River read about it on Indian Country Today Media Network
Passamaquoddy Tribal Members to Share 10.2 Million read about it on BangorDailyNews.com
Abbe Wins Prestigious Award on fenceviewer
Click Here to Check Out the News Links Posted In "Other News & Events for July"
EVENTS
Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance Events
Next Up: September 21, 22, 23, 2012 Common Ground Country Fair in Unity, ME
Visit members of the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance at the
Common Ground Country Fair in the Native American Arts Area.
Brown ash and sweetgrass basketry, traditional arts, drumming
and demonstrations throughout the weekend. For more information,
contact Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association at
207-568-4142 or online at www.mofga.org
47th Annual Sipayik Indian Day Celebration: Friday, August 10 - Sunday, August 12, 2012
This annual event begins with a canoe trip from Indian Township on Thursday, August 9. Opening ceremonies take place at noon on Friday, at Split Rock, Pleasant Point. The Indian Day Celebration features a full weekend of events, live music, vendors, and other activities. It concludes with a Grand Finale of Traditional Dancing and Drumming on Sunday at 2:00 pm followed by a community meal. All events are drug and alcohol free, and all are welcome. For more information, call 207.853.2600
Aroostook Band of Micmacs Mawiomi of Tribes 2012: Friday, August 17 - Sunday, August 19, 2012
A'pjilasi - Welcome. You are cordially invited to join the Aroostook Band of Micmacs in celebration of the Mawiomi of Tribes. Join in tradition through song, dance, food and ceremonies. For more information, download the poster, visit the website, email or call 207.764.1972. Please note that this is a drug and alcohol free event. No admission fee. Location: Spruce Haven, Doyle Road, Caribou, Maine
Basketmaking Demos & Workshops
 |
| Fred Tomah, Photo by Anna Travers |
We hope that you can join us for one of these exciting programs!
Friday, July 27: Ash Fancy Basket Demonstration
11:00 - 3:00, Included with Regular Admission
Fred Tomah, Maliseet, will be demonstrating his unique style of basketmaking using ash splints. Fred’s characteristic style differs from other Wabanaki basketmakers, and his work is truly one of a kind. His baskets are in the collections of the Abbe Museum and the Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Indian. Fred will have completed baskets on display, and will be working on a basket throughout the day. Tools and raw materials will be on display as well. This demonstration will occur at the Downtown Abbe Museum, and is included with regular admission to the museum. This program is made possible by the support of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust and Maine Arts Commission.
Wednesday, August 1: Ash Basketmaking Demonstration
11:00 - 3:00, FREE
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| George Neptune |
Thursday & Friday, August 2 & 3: Birch Bark Basket & Etching Workshop
10:00 - 4:00, Both Days. Registration required. Abbe members: $75. Non-members: $120 (includes individual membership to the Abbe Museum).
Participants will work with artist and canoe builder David Moses
Bridges, Passamaquoddy, to make a folded birch bark basket and then etch
the basket using David’s stencils, or create designs of their own.
Folded birch bark baskets were used to store food and other items, and
have been made for centuries by the Wabanaki. Participants will learn
how to fold the bark and lash it together using the roots from a spruce
tree, and make a lid for the basket. On the second day, participants
will finish work on their baskets and then etch designs into them.
For more information, or to register, please call (207) 288-3519 or
email Raney. 2012 Field School Scholarship Awarded to Kate Pontbriand
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| Kate Pontbriand working on mapping the wreck at the Seal Cove Shipwreck Project. NPS Photo. |
The 2012 Abbe Museum Archaeological Field School Scholarship
has been awarded to Kate Pontbriand of Gouldsboro. Ms. Pontbriand is a 2012
graduate of Mount Desert Island High School with plans to attend Franklin Pierce
University in the fall.
“I love learning about cultures of the past,” she says, and looks forward to
“learning field skills to see if archaeology is really what I want to pursue in
the future.” Ms. Pontbriand has worked at the Acadia National Park Visitor
Center and in the Cultural Resources department at the Park, and served as a
junior intern at Schoodic Arts for All for several seasons. In 2011, she participated
in the Seal Cove Shipwreck Project with ANP, assisting with background research
and mapping the shipwreck site.
The Abbe Museum’s
annual archaeological field school takes place in August 2012. Participants
will work with Maine State Archeologist Dr. Arthur Spiess on the Tranquility
Farm coastal shell midden site in Gouldsboro,
Maine. Field school participants
will conduct excavations, practice mapping the site, and learn about the
analysis of artifacts. Fieldwork wis
complimented by lab sessions and lectures to give participants a broad
understanding of archaeology and Maine's
Native American heritage.
The 2012 excavation will build on
previous discoveries at the site, including a house floor and hearth feature
that date to about 1200 years ago. Burned plant remains from the hearth include
raspberry, chenopodium, smartweed, wild rye and dewberry. A variety of pottery,
stone tools and bone tools, as well as food bone remains, are plentiful at the
Tranquility Farm site.
While the 2012 field school is
already full, please visit the Abbe Museum’s website to learn more, and for information about attending future
field school programs. And visit our blog in September for news from this year's field school!
Abbe Museum Awarded Major IMLS Grant
During last week's Gathering Gala, Abbe CEO, Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko,
shared
exciting news with the audience. Gala guests were the first to hear
that
the Abbe has been awarded a major grant from the Institute for Museum
and
Library Services, the federal funding agency that supports museums. An
excerpt from her remarks is included here...stay tuned as this
new
initiative develops!
It has been a year since our last Gala and much has happened between July 2011 and July 2012. Since we last met in these surroundings, the Abbe Museum welcomed nearly 25,000 visitors from around the world. We provided educational programming for 3,000 school children from over 50 schools across Maine. And, more than 100 Maine teachers received support and training to fulfill the unfunded state mandate, LD291, requiring Wabanaki education in the classroom at all grade levels.
It’s this last part I want to talk a little more about. And you are the first to hear this news. Just yesterday (7/17/12) we received a call from Senator Susan Collins office – we have been awarded a $144,000 grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services to help us seriously make a difference in the lives of Maine students and teachers. This three year grant program will send Abbe educators across the state to train teachers in classroom content to meet the LD291 mandate. In their letter of support for the application, the Maine Dept. of Education stated, “with the Abbe Museum’s undisputed reputation and its strong partnerships with all of the Wabanaki tribes, the…teacher education program promises to enhance and elevate the teaching and learning of Wabanaki studies in Maine schools.” We couldn’t be more thrilled about this transformative gift that will not only improve the Abbe’s performance, but will transform the lives of Maine students and educators and re-frame the classroom conversation about Maine’s first nations and peoples.
It has been a year since our last Gala and much has happened between July 2011 and July 2012. Since we last met in these surroundings, the Abbe Museum welcomed nearly 25,000 visitors from around the world. We provided educational programming for 3,000 school children from over 50 schools across Maine. And, more than 100 Maine teachers received support and training to fulfill the unfunded state mandate, LD291, requiring Wabanaki education in the classroom at all grade levels.
It’s this last part I want to talk a little more about. And you are the first to hear this news. Just yesterday (7/17/12) we received a call from Senator Susan Collins office – we have been awarded a $144,000 grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services to help us seriously make a difference in the lives of Maine students and teachers. This three year grant program will send Abbe educators across the state to train teachers in classroom content to meet the LD291 mandate. In their letter of support for the application, the Maine Dept. of Education stated, “with the Abbe Museum’s undisputed reputation and its strong partnerships with all of the Wabanaki tribes, the…teacher education program promises to enhance and elevate the teaching and learning of Wabanaki studies in Maine schools.” We couldn’t be more thrilled about this transformative gift that will not only improve the Abbe’s performance, but will transform the lives of Maine students and educators and re-frame the classroom conversation about Maine’s first nations and peoples.
Other News & Events for July
There is always something happening at the Abbe, and this summer is no exception! Please visit our online calendar regularly for more details and updates.
Up next is the Transcending Traditions exhibit reception, Friday, July 6th from 4-6, followed by the annual Native American Festival and Basketmakers Market on Saturday, July 7th from 10-4. Shortly thereafter the first of the Wednesday programs in Acadia National Park will begin--on July 11th Butch Jacobs, Passamaquoddy, will kick-off the series with an ash pounding demonstration at Sieur de Monts Spring.
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!
NEWS
State, Wabanaki Tribes to sign mandate, look into history of harmful child welfare practices in the Bangor Daily News
Maine Signs Historic "Truth and Reconciliation" Agreement with Indian Tribes on MPBN
Celebrating Maine's Wabanaki Peoples on Boston.com
A Damned Dam on the Penobscot River on NPR
Dam Removal Launches Penobscot River Restoration read about it and watch videos on Indian Country Today Media Network
Passamaquoddy Push for Restoration of Alewife Spawning Grounds in the Bangor Daily News
Passamaquoddy Basketmaker Honored by National Endowment of the Arts in the Bangor Daily News
Public-Private Partnership Helps Fund Sustainability Project with Tribes in the Bangor Daily News
EVENTS
Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance Events
Next Up: The Native American Festival and Basketmakers Market in Bar Harbor, July 7th from 10:00-4:00
Schedule of Activities for the Festival
Tribes of the Dawnland Culture and Heritage Days: 3rd Annual Wabanaki Cultural Arts & Heritage Days Celebration Saturday July 21, and Sunday July 22, 2012
Featuring cultural crafts from the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Maliseet and Micmac Tribes, including ash splint, sweetgrass and birchbark baskets, flutes, jewelry, wood carvings, dolls, art and books. Also presenting demonstrations of basketmaking, ash pounding, beadworking, drum making, birchbark canoe and paddle making, and storytelling. Enjoy dancing, drumming and singing. Free and open to the public. Location: Passamaquoddy Tribal Lands, Indian Township US Route 1, North of Princeton, Maine.
47th Annual Sipayik Indian Day Celebration: Friday, August 10 - Sunday, August 12, 2012
This annual event begins with a canoe trip from Indian Township on Thursday, August 9. Opening ceremonies take place at noon on Friday, at Split Rock, Pleasant Point. The Indian Day Celebration features a full weekend of events, live music, vendors, and other activities. It concludes with a Grand Finale of Traditional Dancing and Drumming on Sunday at 2:00 pm followed by a community meal. All events are drug and alcohol free, and all are welcome. For more information, call 207.853.2600
Aroostook Band of Micmacs Mawiomi of Tribes 2012: Friday, August 17 - Sunday, August 19, 2012
A'pjilasi - Welcome. You are cordially invited to join the Aroostook Band of Micmacs in celebration of the Mawiomi of Tribes. Join in tradition through song, dance, food and ceremonies. For more information, download the poster, visit the website, email or call 207.764.1972. Please note that this is a drug and alcohol free event. No admission fee. Location: Spruce Haven, Doyle Road, Caribou, Maine
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| Butch Jacobs, Passamaquoddy |
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!
NEWS
State, Wabanaki Tribes to sign mandate, look into history of harmful child welfare practices in the Bangor Daily News
Maine Signs Historic "Truth and Reconciliation" Agreement with Indian Tribes on MPBN
Celebrating Maine's Wabanaki Peoples on Boston.com
A Damned Dam on the Penobscot River on NPR
Dam Removal Launches Penobscot River Restoration read about it and watch videos on Indian Country Today Media Network
Passamaquoddy Push for Restoration of Alewife Spawning Grounds in the Bangor Daily News
Passamaquoddy Basketmaker Honored by National Endowment of the Arts in the Bangor Daily News
Public-Private Partnership Helps Fund Sustainability Project with Tribes in the Bangor Daily News
EVENTS
Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance Events
Next Up: The Native American Festival and Basketmakers Market in Bar Harbor, July 7th from 10:00-4:00
Schedule of Activities for the Festival
Tribes of the Dawnland Culture and Heritage Days: 3rd Annual Wabanaki Cultural Arts & Heritage Days Celebration Saturday July 21, and Sunday July 22, 2012
Featuring cultural crafts from the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Maliseet and Micmac Tribes, including ash splint, sweetgrass and birchbark baskets, flutes, jewelry, wood carvings, dolls, art and books. Also presenting demonstrations of basketmaking, ash pounding, beadworking, drum making, birchbark canoe and paddle making, and storytelling. Enjoy dancing, drumming and singing. Free and open to the public. Location: Passamaquoddy Tribal Lands, Indian Township US Route 1, North of Princeton, Maine.
47th Annual Sipayik Indian Day Celebration: Friday, August 10 - Sunday, August 12, 2012
This annual event begins with a canoe trip from Indian Township on Thursday, August 9. Opening ceremonies take place at noon on Friday, at Split Rock, Pleasant Point. The Indian Day Celebration features a full weekend of events, live music, vendors, and other activities. It concludes with a Grand Finale of Traditional Dancing and Drumming on Sunday at 2:00 pm followed by a community meal. All events are drug and alcohol free, and all are welcome. For more information, call 207.853.2600
Aroostook Band of Micmacs Mawiomi of Tribes 2012: Friday, August 17 - Sunday, August 19, 2012
A'pjilasi - Welcome. You are cordially invited to join the Aroostook Band of Micmacs in celebration of the Mawiomi of Tribes. Join in tradition through song, dance, food and ceremonies. For more information, download the poster, visit the website, email or call 207.764.1972. Please note that this is a drug and alcohol free event. No admission fee. Location: Spruce Haven, Doyle Road, Caribou, Maine
You are invited to the Gathering Gala!
The Gathering Gala is the Abbe Museum's annual fund raising dinner and auction to support the Abbe Museum's initiatives and mission to inspire new learning about the Wabanaki Nations with every visit. At this year's Gala guests will enjoy cocktails and a silent auction from 5:00-6:45, a delicious seated dinner and live auction from 7:00-8:30, and dancing to the music of Jones'n from 8:30-11:00. To learn more about the Gathering Gala, please click here.
Items available during this year's silent and live auctions can be previewed online via the following links. If you cannot join us for this year's Gala and would like to be an absentee bidder, please contact Nora.
Below is a small sampling of some of this year's beautiful items:
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| Decorative Canoe Paddle, by Joe Tracy |
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| Lamoine Beach, Maine; August 9, 2011, by Jennifer Stein Booher |
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| Where Shall I Be, by Ashley Bryan |
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| Cromwell Brook and Dorr Mountain, by Jean Forbes |
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| Web, Lenny Novak |
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| Collar Basket, Molly Neptune Parker |
|
| Model Birch Bark Canoe, Butch Phillips |
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| Stoneware, by Gull Rock Pottery |
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| Vernal Pools, quilted wall hanging by Ellie Pancoe |
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| Handknit wool men's sweater, by Sandra Wilcox |
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| Vine Necklace, by Lisa Hall |
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| Western Maine Getaway, Donated by John Collier & Susan Ferrante Collier |
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| High Tea for Twelve on the Harbor at Cranberry Hill Inn |
And much, much more!
Thank you to everyone who donated items for this year's auction!
Abbe Museum Wins 2012 AASLH Award of Merit
Indians and Rusticators is an immersive exhibit exploring the unique relationship between the first summer tourists visiting Mount Desert Island, called rusticators, and the Wabanaki. Living in encampments through the summer season, Wabanaki people traveled to Bar Harbor to offer their services as guides and entertainers, and also sold souvenirs of traditional baskets made to appeal to a wide array of people. The exhibit features a 19’ birch bark canoe purchased on a ship coming to Bar Harbor in 1878, baskets made from ash and sweet grass and birch bark, steam ship and rusticator artifacts, and hands-on activities for all ages. The exhibit will remain at the Abbe in downtown Bar Harbor through December.
This year, AASLH is proud to confer fifty-nine national awards honoring people, projects, exhibits, books, and organizations. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history. Presentation of the awards will be made at a special banquet during the 2012 AASLH Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, October 5, 2012. The banquet is supported by a generous contribution from the History Channel.
The AASLH awards program was initiated in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout the United States. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards not only honor significant achievement in the field of state and local history, but also brings public recognition of the opportunities for small and large organizations, institutions, and programs to make contributions in this arena. For more information about the Leadership in History Awards, contact AASLH at 615-320-3203, or go to www.aaslh.org.
The American Association for State and Local History is a not-for-profit professional organization of individuals and institutions working to preserve and promote history. From its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, AASLH provides leadership, service, and support for its members who preserve and interpret state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful in American society. AASLH publishes books, technical publications, a quarterly magazine, and monthly newsletter. The association also sponsors regional and national training workshops and an annual meeting.
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:
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| Eric Otter Bacon |
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| Jeremy Frey |
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| Jeremy Frey |
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| Sarah Sockbeson |
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| Ganessa Bryant |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Fish Effigy |
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| 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.
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| 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 |
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| 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
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| 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.