Paint a Magical Night Sky with Mountain Silhouettes in this fun Family Paint ‘n’ Sip. Artist Erika Elizabeth will walk students through a step-by-step process. All materials provided along with tea, seltzer, juice and snacks. This family-friendly paint ‘n’ sip is suitable for all experience levels, and those age 6 and older. All materials will be provided. Space is limited, and preregistration is required. 

Award-winning Maine sculptor David Smus is bringing his passion for nature and his considerable talent to the Wendell Gilley Museum on Aug. 12 as the People-Nature-Art presenter for August. “I've blended a life-long love and inspired study of nature, animals and fine art,” he says.

Beginning as a self-taught wood carver, he specialized in natural-finish birds and animals. From there he transitioned to lost-was bronze. He worked with several master sculptors, and now does mostly limited-edition bronze sculpture and custom commissioned artwork for private, public and corporate clients. He is noted for evoking a sense that the spirit of the animal is residing in his sculptures. "I spend hours simply observing wildlife and feel like I owe such beautiful creatures the dignity of proper representation," he says.

Smus, who now lives and makes art in Harmony, Maine, will be at the Wendell Gilley Museum in person to share his insights, methods, and passion for what he does. There will be a 6 p.m. artist’s reception followed by his presentation at 7 p.m. which will be in person and simultaneously livecast. Both in-person and online attendance is free, but registration is required. Two pieces of his art – a lifesized great blue heron and a grouping of five puffins – will be on display at the Gilley in the weeks before his presentation.

People-Nature-Art is a free monthly series that brings artists, writers, carvers, and creative types of all kinds to the Gilley to explore how nature and art interact in their work, and how their art impacts their own approach to nature. It is sponsored by our friends at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.

In this beginner-friendly two-hour class, you’ll learn the basic techniques of decorative woodburning and will create an image of a feather to take home. Using a pen-like burning tool, you'll start by practicing mark-making techniques to explore options and possibilities with the wood burner.  Then you will create an image of a feather by copying a design from nature or making up your own design. All materials provided. Students must be at least 8 years old.

Learn basic skills in wood carving and woodburning in this two-hour class to create a small piece of avian art you can finish during the workshop and take home with you. Registration is required and class sizes are limited. Participants must be at least 11 years old.