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Galleries and
Artists Are Plentiful in the Village
At the Ronald Hayes Pearson Design Studio, jewelry designed by
the late artist continues to honor one of the country’s
best-known metalsmiths. His widow, Carolyn Hecker, carries on
the tradition. |
Deer Isle is the
perfect place for drivers divided between taking a scenic drive and
visiting an art gallery.
The picturesque
island village provides opportunity to discover local arts and
crafts, plus the island’s own version of Maine’s natural beauty.
For those who want
to start their tour with a view of one of coastal Maine’s most
enduring symbols, a brief detour after the big bridge is in order.
After crossing the
bridge (Route 15), take the first right onto Eggemoggin Road. Drive
to the end of the road (not quite three miles) and discover one of
the area’s most unheralded landmarks: Pumpkin Island Lighthouse.
The picture-perfect
lighthouse dominates a small, granite island just offshore from the
end of the road.
Its close proximity
to shore and the likelihood of boats sailing by provide shutterbugs
with subject matter they’re bound to appreciate.
While traveling the
Eggemoggin Road,
either to or from the lighthouse, stop at the studio of blacksmith
Douglas E. Wilson and check out his functional, sculptural and
architectural hand-forged ironwork.
His studio is about
2.5 miles from Route 15. It’s open year-round, but closed Sundays.
After taking in the
lighthouse, return to Route 15 and head to Deer Isle Village, about
five miles away.
Another detour is
in order before reaching the village.
After crossing the
causeway from Little Deer Isle onto Deer Isle, take the first left
onto Old Ferry Road.
The road is slightly less than a mile long and ends with another
breathtaking view of Eggemoggin Reach.
Your trip down
Ferry Road also provides an opportunity to visit one of the
area’s renowned galleries: the Ronald Hayes Pearson Design Studio.
The studio features
gold and silver jewelry designed by the late Pearson, one of the
country’s most distinguished and honored metalsmiths.
His work is
displayed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., as
well as major museums and galleries throughout the United States.
Open year-round, the studio is closed on Sundays.
Once back on Route
15, consider one more short detour before reaching the village.
Turn onto Reach
Road to discover two browsing opportunities located less than a mile
from Route 15: Belcher’s Antiques and the Greene/Zinner Gallery.
Potter Melissa
Greene displays her large, wheel-thrown vessels with animal and
figurative imagery. The images are inspired by various cultures and
by the natural surroundings of Deer Isle.
Eric Zinner
displays his forged and fabricated metal work pieces and garden
sculpture.
Just north of the
village on Route 15 is the Turtle Gallery. Open daily from Memorial
Day through September, the gallery offers two floors of fine art and
contemporary craft.
A tour of the
sculpture garden can complete your visit to the Turtle Gallery.
Another side trip
just outside of the village takes you down the Dow Road. You’ll find
the Deer Isle Artists Association on your right just after turning
onto the Dow Road.
The association
opened for the season on June 16. Open daily throughout the summer,
the gallery features paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings and
photographs by Deer Isle and other
Maine
artists.
A bit farther down
the Dow Road
is Deepest Africa Imports, mostly crafts from the continent it
honors.
After coming back
to Route 15, you soon will come to the village of Deer Isle. Take a
right onto Route 15A, also known as
Main Street.
The village offers
several galleries, all within walking distance.
The Terrell Lester
Gallery at the corner of Route 15 and Main Street features prints of
Lester’s original photographs.
Across the street,
artist Jenepher Burton maintains the Mainstreet Studio & Gallery.
The working studio features one-of-a-kind and limited production
jewelry, artworks and craft.
The quaint village
offers several shops and water views on both sides of Main Street:
Northwest Harbor to the north and Mill Pond to the south.
The Periwinkle
offers a broad assortment of cards, gifts and books.
The Pilgrim’s Inn
on Main Street also adds to the village charm. The colonial inn is
listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers a
place to dine, as well as a gift shop featuring Maine artists.
The Rugosa Rose at
the Pilgrim’s
Inn features 40 local artists. Pottery, jewelry, fiber works,
woodcarving, sweaters, vests and note cards are among the items
carried at the gift shop.
There are a few
more stops to make along Route 15 within walking distance of Main
Street.
Back at the corner
of Main Street
and Route 15 is Bruce Bulger’s gallery on the first floor of the
Seamark Building.
The gallery
features Bulger’s fine and applied arts, commissioned furniture,
cabinets and design. A showroom above the gallery features
furniture, paintings, quilts, woodworking, rugs and sculpture by
other artists.
A short distance
along Route 15, across from the Bar Harbor Bank, is Mary Nyburg’s
Blue Heron Gallery.
The gallery
features work by the faculty of Haystack Mountain School of Crafts,
an internationally acclaimed school also located in Deer Isle.
You may not get to
all these attractions in one day. If you do, you’ve still only
touched the surface of the fine art and craft galleries available in
Deer Isle.
Take the time to do
some exploring of your own, continue farther on some of the detours
mentioned here, or discover other routes.
There’s plenty to
keep the art or craft aficionado busy in Deer Isle. If you exhaust
the possibilities, continue down Route 15 to the town of Stonington,
where the process can begin anew.—James Straub
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