If you love the sights and sounds of Maine’s Downeast coast, start your Memorial Day weekend off right on Friday, May 23, with an evening of art, music and refreshment. Jonesport artist, Helen Messemer-Thomas will be giving a special solo exhibit of her colorful oil paintings at the University of Maine at Machias. The opening reception will be held on May 23 from 5-7 PM at the Powers Hall Art Gallery, and is open to all.

The show will contain a bold new series of plein air oil paintings, catching the fluidity of tides, local working waterfronts of many Downeast towns, and various local seascapes, including Jonesport, Beals, Great Wass, Lubec, and Roque Bluffs. Her work will also include some Native American inspired art, based on Passamaquoddy history. Talented musicians Brian Stewart and Lenore Hildebrand will be performing accompaniments with instrumental and vocal pieces. There will be a free drawing offered for one of her smaller paintings, a 10x10” seascape, winner to be notified on June 16th. Come join us for a great evening!!

Helen’s Loon Cove Studio, is located in the salty lobstering village of Jonesport. The Jonesport area is rapidly developing as an art enclave, with over 37 actively exhibiting artists in this Moosabec area. The group of artists include painters, sculptors, and photographers. There are several establishments in Jonesport that offer art for viewing and sale, as well as many artist studios which are open to the public.

Helen is a graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), and has been exhibiting on both coasts and abroad for 32 years. Her work in oils have won dozens of awards over her career.

The show will be hanging through til June 16. The Powers Hall Art Gallery, located on the UMM campus at 9 O’Brien Ave, Machias, is open weekdays from 12-5pm or by appointment by calling 207-255-1279.

Come join us at the show, admission is free and all are invited.

Her work can also be viewed and purchased in Jonesport at Nelson Decoys & Downeast Gallery, open M-Sat from 10-5, at Tall Barneys’ on Main Street, open M-F 10-8PM, Sat 8-8, Sun 8-2 and bimonthly at Art in the Library Shows at the Peabody Memorial Library.

Helen’s studio is located on Kelley Point Road and will be open to the public at the end of June.