For our Hartstone Inn guests who enjoy art, The Center for Maine Contemporary Art is wonderful place to visit on your next trip to Camden, Maine. It is located right next door, in downtown Rockport.
Here are some frequently asked questions from their website:
- What kind of art do you show?
- Our specialty is contemporary art of all media made by artists who live or have lived in Maine, either part-time or year-round, or who have studied or have other strong connections to the state. Occasionally we include work by artists without a connection to Maine in group exhibitions, but only when doing so enhances the exhibition. Many of our exhibitions broaden notions about what art is and break established boundaries among different forms of artistic expression.
- How did CMCA get started?
- In 1952, the Center for Maine Contemporary Art began as Maine Coast Artists, a small artists’ cooperative. Since then, it has evolved into the state’s leading institution for the advancement of contemporary Maine art. We changed our name and logo to reflect the statewide scope of our activities. By making new connections and keeping old ones, CMCA has built a strong base of supporters that spans generations and interests, making our institution the diverse and respected place it has come to be.
- Do you charge admission?
- Admission for members and children is free. A $5.00 donation for nonmembers is suggested. CMCA is a nonprofit organization and donations are gratefully accepted to further our mission of advancing contemporary art in Maine.
- Do you sell art?
- Yes. We are a nonprofit institution, not a commercial gallery, and the choice of artwork to be displayed is unencumbered by commercial interests, but we provide artists with the opportunity to sell the art that is on view in CMCA’s galleries. In return, we retain a small commission for every successful sale to help support our programming.
Click here to view their current exhibitions.