We are pleased to bring our first featured encaustic artist to the Gilley, as November’s People-Nature-Art presenter. Hélène Farrar is a contemporary American artist who works primarily in encaustic. Her colorful paintings draw themes from both the natural world and her observations of people, and they have a depth and luminousness achieved through careful attention to texture and surface quality. She considers her work part of a conversation about humanity, beauty, and nature. Farrar’s unique style is playful but also serious. "I’m very serious about my silly work," she says. "I take it very seriously."

Encaustic is a form of painting that involves a heated wax medium (often beeswax and resin) to which colored pigments have been added. The molten mix is applied to a surface, usually prepared wood, and tools can be used to shape the wax.

Join Farrar at the Museum on Tuesday, Nov. 10 for a reception at 6pm followed by her presentation at 7pm (which will be offered in-person, and online.

Join master carver Ed Hawkes for this special class to create a carved feather pin. This class is appropriate for carvers of all levels, from beginners to advanced. Students must be at least 14 years old. Bring a lunch for this full-day workshop. Class size is limited and registration is required. The feather will be a green-winged teal feather. All materials included. 

Ed is an avid birdwatcher and a volunteer with Acadia National Park Hawk Watch. His hours of bird observations are constant inspiration for creating his realistic wooden creations. His carvings have won numerous awards, including a first-place ribbon in the Advanced Division at the Ward World Carving Competition for his full-size common loon, as well as numerous first-place and 'Best in Show' awards at Maine carving competitions.

The Museum's Winter hours began in November. That means that between Nov. 1, 2026 and May 1, 2027 the Gilley is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, with some classes and programs at other times or on other days; that includes our free monthly People-Nature-Art events on Tuesday nights. Be sure to check the calendar HERE for the latest happenings.

Thanksgiving Holiday: Closed the entire week EXCEPT Saturday, Nov. 28. Open hours that day are 11:30am to 3:30pm. There is an owl ornament-carving class the same day from noon to 3pm.

The Gilley is closed to the public from Dec. 14, 2026 through Jan. 14, 2027, reopening after that holiday break on Friday, Jan. 15, 2027.

It’s birds on branches for the last Paint ‘n’ Sip of 2026. Join us at the Wendell Gilley Museum for our monthly evening paint ‘n’ sip workshop with instructor Erika Elizabeth on Friday, Dec. 4 from 4:30 to 6:30pm to paint the sun through the trees. A charming circular of a bird – or birds – on branches.

It will be a fun evening of learning and art. Students will be guided step by step through the process of painting, with plenty of explanation and instruction along the way.

Sip on wine or seltzer as part of this adults-only class, which is suitable for artists of all levels who are at least 21 years old. All materials and beverages provided. The cost is $34 for Museum members and $42 for non-members. Spaces are limited.