Archipelago opens new gallery show, ‘Spring Tide,’ June 7th in Rockland

Join Archipelago to celebrate spring and the return of color, foliage, cheerful light, and warmth at the opening reception for its new gallery show, “Spring Tide,” on Friday, June 7th. The Island Institute’s store and gallery will host a special artists’ reception, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., during Rockland’s First Friday Art Walk.

Archipelago Artist Profile: Susan Beebe

If you spend enough time in Rockland, Maine, you may have seen a woman of medium stature walking up and down Main Street, tending the pollinator garden by the harbor, or sipping a cappuccino at Rock City Coffee. She is artist, gardener, educator, and Rockland resident, Susan Beebe. This past winter, I asked Susan if I could interview her at her “studio” space. While her true studio space is outdoors and she knew I wouldn’t get an authentic view into her working space during one of Maine’s coldest months, she agreed, and we spent a little time talking about art and midcoast Maine.

Robert Shetterly, hands-on workshops kick off two-day conference for Maine artists and arts-based businesses

The sixth annual Artists & Makers Conference will take place Thursday, April 4th from 2:00–6:30 p.m. and Friday, April 5th from 8:15 a.m.–5:00 p.m. at Point Lookout in Northport, Maine. This year’s event will kick off on Thursday afternoon with a half-day of hands-on workshops and a special evening presentation by artist Robert Shetterly around his nationally recognized “Americans Who Tell the Truth” portraits and narratives, and continue all day Friday with sessions offering practical tips and strategies to help start and grow arts-related businesses in Maine.

Commercial Currents: Life and Business Balance—Part 1

The holiday season is hectic for everyone but even more so for small business owners. If you own a retail business, this may be your biggest month of the year. For some businesses, much of their year-end profit is realized in the month of December. Other business owners have just come off of a hectic summer and fall season, and now they just want to rest and recover. So, it stands to reason that, at the end of the year, many small business owners often find themselves wondering how they can achieve better work/life balance. Now is a good time to step back from the daily operations of your business and reflect on how you manage your personal time.

Archipelago opens winter gallery show for Festival of Lights Celebration November 23 in Rockland

ROCKLAND—Join Archipelago to celebrate the quiet light of winter in Maine with the reception for its new gallery show on Friday, November 23rd. The show, which includes paintings, carved wall pieces, prints, ceramics, wood folk carvings, and more from a variety of Maine artists will run through the winter.

The Importance of Finding your Voice in an Arts-Based Business

In my role as director of Archipelago, the Island Institute’s store and gallery, I’ve seen many artists come through the door wanting to know the nuts and bolts of starting or growing a business. Artists bring in their portfolio, product, or both, and want opinions on pricing, market, or feedback on their work. While this is great, sometimes I need to ask them to step back in order to move forward successfully. For me, one of the first things I notice is do they know who they are? Do they have a voice? For whatever product you’re selling and whatever business you’re starting or growing—you’ll need to find customers. Telling a good story draws like-minded customers to you, and that all starts with your voice.

Archipelago hosts second artist reception with Abe Goodale during First Friday Art Walk September 7 in Rockland

ROCKLAND — Join Archipelago on Friday, September 7th, from 5:00 pm. to 8:00 p.m., during Rockland’s First Friday Art Walk, for a second artist reception with Abe Goodale to celebrate the current gallery show, “Turning Away from the Sun.” The show, which features watercolor portraits by Goodale, also includes paintings, bronze sculptures, carved wall pieces, wood folk carvings, and a broad array of work from other coastal Maine artists.

Archipelago opens summer gallery show

Archipelago invites the public to celebrate the opening of its new gallery show, “Turning Towards the Sun,” and the start of the summer during the June 1 First Friday Art Walk from 5 to 8 p.m.
The downtown Island Institute’s store and gallery will host two artist receptions for this show; the second is scheduled for the July 6 Art Walk.

Archipelago hosts two receptions for summer gallery show during First Friday Art Walk June 1 and July 6 in Rockland

ROCKLAND – Join Archipelago to celebrate the opening of its new gallery show, “Turning Towards the Sun,” and the start of the summer during Rockland’s next Art Walk. The Island Institute’s store and gallery will host two artist receptions for this show with another scheduled for the July 6th Art Walk.