Students will be guided by local artist Erika Rosso, step by step, to create their own nature-inspired Winter Scene in watercolor.

Sip on wine, tea 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.

Gather as a community and enjoy the creative spirit of MDI at the Wendell Gilley Museum for the Museum's annual Community Open House & Art Show on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 1 to 4 p.m.. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.

We will have a special one-day-only exhibit of art created at the Gilley in 2024, everything from bird drawings by third-graders to bird carvings by long-time carvers.

Free and open to all.

Paint Maine’s state bird, the Chickadee, on a snowy branch in this first Paint ‘n’ Sip of the new year, with instructor Erika Rosso. She will guide students step by step through the process, explaining each step along the way.

Sip on wine, tea 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.

RESCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2025  Wildlife artist and Maine Master Naturalist Michael Boardman will lead a 2-hour workshop on learning to field sketch and focus on birds of prey, in honor of the Cadillac Mountain Hawkwatch. We’ll work on body shapes and details specific to this awesome group of birds, with a concentration on drawing with your favorite tools. Class will be part lecture, part demo and part hands-on using mounted specimens. If time allows there may be a watercolor demo at the end. Some basic drawing skills coming in will be helpful but are not absolutely necessary. Supplies will be on hand but feel free to bring your own as well.

Join us at the Museum to meet multidisciplinary artist Richard Huck on Friday, Sept. 8 from 5 to 7pm. Rick is the creator of Huck’s Ducks, a battalion of duck-defending battleships now floating serenely in the Museum’s decoy pool.

Hors d’ oeuvres and beer and wine will be served. There is not charge to attend but registration is requested.

Make a wall hook from clay inspired by the Gilley’s exhibit “Nature’s Masterpiece: Elephant Photographs of Peter Beard,” which will in the museum’s special exhibits gallery until Nov. 4. Kathie Pratt will lead you through the process, and you’ll have something to take home with you at the end of the workshop. All materials supplied.

In this workshop we will look at the world through a filter that focuses on textures, shapes, highlights and shadows over a sometimes overwhelming range of color. It is a simpler way of looking at your subject, and captures it quickly. A selection of warm and cool toned papers will be provided, as well as pencils. There will be natural objects to choose to draw, or bring your own. Lettering, and combining drawing and text will be discussed.

No experience necessary just an interest in nature and being creative.

Taught by naturalist and artist Karen Zimmerman. All materials supplied.

Enjoy a birding expedition through William Shakespeare’s plays and poetry with artist Missy Dunaway whose independent art project “The Birds of Shakespeare”  will catalog every bird mentioned in Shakespeare's plays and poems. Dunaway will be at the Gilley on Tuesday, Oct. 10 for a 5:30pm reception and a 7pm presentation as the museum’s October People-Nature-Art presenter.

Each month, Dunaway releases a painting of one bird with an accompanying essay that analyzes how the species features in Shakespeare’s world.

People-Nature-Art is a 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. Each session for 2023 is sponsored by our friends at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.

Join Missy Dunaway, the Gilley’s October People-Nature-Art presenter, for this special painting workshop to create realistic feathers. According to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, it is illegal to collect feathers from birds that are migratory and native to the United States territories. Let’s collect feathers lawfully—as paintings! In this lesson, Dunaway will guide you through an approachable step-by-step process to create a realistic painting of feathers using acrylic-ink on paper. Appropriate for all skill levels, including children, beginners, and experienced artists. Materials provided. Registration required.

Paint a colorful elephant in acrylics on canvas, inspired by the museum's exhibit of elephant photos by Peter Beard and animal sculptures by Dan Falt.

Artist Erika Rosso will walk students through creating their own acrylic painting modeled after one of her watercolors. All materials provided as well as tea, seltzer and juice for this family friendly Paint 'n' Sip suitable for all experience levels, and those age 5 and older.

Students will each receive their own canvas to create a painting of an elephant adorned with color and jewels. Paintings will be created using acrylics so wear clothing that you don't mind getting messy!   

Relief prints are one of the most versatile and low-tech methods for creating repeating or multiple images, and you can learn the basics in just a few hours. Award-winning printmaker Sherrie York will guide you through the process of designing, carving, and printing a single-color image using the most basic tools and materials. Where you go from there is up to you! All materials provided. 

It’s printmaking playtime with award-winning Maine printmaker Sherrie York! A single-color block print is fun, but what happens if we play with repeating patterns, overlapping images, and color? Let’s find out! We will take time in the morning to design and carve two different relief printing blocks, and in the afternoon we will experiment with combining them to create something new. Some experience with carving relief blocks is helpful, but not necessary. Bring some ideas for small, square formats. All materials provided. There will be a break for lunch (not provided).

Make a wall hook from clay inspired by the Gilley’s exhibit “Nature’s Masterpiece: Elephant Photographs of Peter Beard,” which will be in the museum’s special exhibits gallery until Nov. 4. Kathie Pratt will lead you through the process, including baking it in the over, and you’ll have something to take home with you at the end of the workshop. All materials supplied.

This is an evening class for adults only; wine will be provided along with non-alcoholic beverages.

Come play with watercolors and create a miniature landscape – or even two or three!  Artist Erika Rosso will guide you through the mixing of paint and basic methods of applying watercolor to paint a landscape of MDI mountains and ocean. You will learn wet-on-wet technique, how to make clouds, and how to layer colors to achieve variation of texture and value. Suitable for beginners and beyond.  All materials provided as well as wine, beer, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Restricted to those 21 and older.

Paint a colorful elephant in watercolor, on the last day of the Museum's exhibit of elephant photos by Peter Beard and animal sculptures by Dan Falt.  

Artist Erika Rosso will walk students through a step-by-step process. All materials provided as well as tea, seltzer and juice for this family friendly paint 'n' sip suitable for all experience levels, and those age 5 and older. All materials provided.

Unwind from the busy holiday season and come make a painting with us!  Join artist Erika Rosso and learn how to use watercolors to create a painting of black-capped chickadees and snow. Suitable for beginners and beyond. All materials provided as well as wine, beer, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.  Restricted to those 21 and older.

Printmaker and mixed media artist Sara Tabbert – a past Acadia National Park artist in residence – joins us from her home studio in Fairbanks, Alaska as December’s People-Nature-Art presenter at the Wendell Gilley Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 12 in an online-only presentation at 7pm. Free but registration is required.

Tabbert’s large-scale public art commissions can be found throughout Alaska and her work is housed in public collections through the state and far beyond. In early 2020, the Alaska State Museum presented a solo exhibit of her recent work.

 She has been awarded grants from the Rasmuson Foundation and the Alaska State Council on the Arts. In addition to residencies in the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Italy, Tabbert has been an artist-in-residence through the National Park Service in Denali, Zion, Isle Royale, the Chilkoot Trail, and Acadia National Park. She has been selected as a 2024 resident fellow in the Windgate ITE program at the Center for Art in Wood in Philadelphia.

​People-Nature-Art is a 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. Each session for 2023 is sponsored by our friends at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.

Gather as a community and enjoy the creative spirit of MDI at the Wendell Gilley Museum for the Museum's annual Community Open House & Art Show on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m.. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.

We will have a special one-day-only exhibit of art created at the Gilley in 2023, everything from bird drawings by third-graders to bird carvings by long-time carvers. There will be felted fish and birds made of butternut, linocut prints and pencil drawings, paintings and more.

This exhibit will include a special section devoted to work produced as part of the Fall HandWorks Festival collaboration with ArtWaves this year.

Free and open to all.

Artist Erika Rosso leads this special year-end Paint ‘n’ Sip for adults only on Saturday, Dec. 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. Create your own version of Misty Mountains, inspired by Japanese artist Higashiyama Shinkichi that weaves together layers of mountains fading into the mist.

Sip on wine, tea 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 will be provided. Each step will be demonstrated and explained, making for a fun and approachable class. The cost is $28 for museum members and $35 for non-members. Spaces are limited.

Create your own version of Katsushika Hokusai's The Wave in ink and watercolor led by instructor Erika Rosso. The Wave is a woodblock print that has inspired artists all over the world. Students will begin by drafting a painting in pencil, then applying waterproof ink pen before finishing it with watercolor paint. In essence students will be creating a template for the painting with pens, then  “coloring in" the lines using paint.

Sip on wine, tea 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 will be provided. Each step will be demonstrated and explained, making for a fun and approachable class. The cost is $28 for museum members and $35 for non-members. Spaces are limited.

Cyanotype, also called sun-printing, is an early photographic process that produces blue and white prints. It is usually done in bright sunlight, but can also produce beautiful images on overcast days, and can be done indoors with a specialized UV light. You’ll have a chance to try both sunlight and artificial light.

In this 2-hour workshop, we will work with 5x7 watercolor paper and will use a variety of objects, including feathers, dried ferns, evergreen branches, paper snowflakes, and chandelier prisms to make winter woodland-inspired scenes.

Jennifer Booher is an artist and photographer from Bar Harbor. She has been a Resident Artist with Acadia National Park since 2015, and artist-in-residence with the MDI Historical Society since 2018.

In this class students will make three paintings using various techniques to create texture and patterns. These will include using tape and watercolors to create a modern piece of art; using plastic wrap to create texture; and using crayons and salt. Perfect for the person who likes to experiment and try new things. It is also great for kids or adults who like to move from project to project quickly, as we will be working on several experiments!

For adults who like to play and children age 5 and up. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages provided.

Jan. 19 & Jan. 26

This is a wonderful 2-part class for beginners or watercolor painters who need to “brush” up on their color studies and technique. The fee covers both classes and all materials. It is taught by Erika Rosso.

In the first class students will be focusing on mixing colors, layering colors and creating different values. These experiments will be created in grids and labeled so that you can refer to them for future paintings. We will discover which colors are granulated, translucent or opaque and how they interact. Students will work on the values and graded washes on the first day.

On the second workshop day, students will focus on watercolor technique—how to layer color, when to allow washes to dry in between coats, and when to add color to wet washes. We will also experiment with dry brush techniques and learn when to use more saturated color. All materials supplied. This class is suitable for ages 16 and up.

Jan. 19 & Jan. 26

This is a wonderful 2-part class for beginners or watercolor painters who need to “brush” up on their color studies and technique. The fee covers both classes and all materials. It is taught by Erika Rosso.

In the first class students will be focusing on mixing colors, layering colors and creating different values. These experiments will be created in grids and labeled so that you can refer to them for future paintings. We will discover which colors are granulated, translucent or opaque and how they interact. Students will work on the values and graded washes on the first day.

On the second workshop day, students will focus on watercolor technique—how to layer color, when to allow washes to dry in between coats, and when to add color to wet washes. We will also experiment with dry brush techniques and learn when to use more saturated color. All materials supplied. This class is suitable for ages 16 and up.

Create your own layered nature print using natural materials and cut paper. Gelli plates are reusable and made from gelatin and allow you to create layered prints by hand.  This class is fun for all ages. Artist Juliana Ramirez will lead you through the process of inking the gelli plate, creating an image, and making your prints.  

Join art teacher Kathie Pratt to make nature-themed beads from polymer clay. Kathie will walk you through the steps, and you will bake off your creation and have a chance to paint it before you leave. Suitable for ages 12 and older.

Feel the love in this fun printmaking class with Juliana Ramirez, just in time for Valentine’s Day. We’ll make color prints using EZ carve, a printmaking material that is softer and easier to use than linoleum blocks. Materials will be provided – just bring an idea for a simple image you'd like to turn into a woodblock-style print. Space is limited and participants must be at least 10 years old. Reservations required. Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks will be provided.

Cyanotype, also called sun-printing, is an early photographic process that produces blue and white prints. It is usually done in bright sunlight, but can also produce beautiful images on overcast days, and can be done indoors with a specialized UV light. You’ll have a chance to try both sunlight and artificial light.

In this 2-hour workshop, we will work with 5x7 watercolor paper and will use a variety of objects, including feathers, dried ferns, evergreen branches, paper snowflakes, and chandelier prisms to make winter woodland-inspired scenes.

Jennifer Booher is an artist and photographer from Bar Harbor. She has been a Resident Artist with Acadia National Park since 2015, and artist-in-residence with the MDI Historical Society since 2018.

In this colorful class, students will be dividing their paper into several squares with tape and using masking marker to create "foam" for their waves. They will then use watercolor to create several different colors of waves on their papers. There is some repetition and experimentation in this painting so it is great for beginners or young students just learning to paint. Fun ocean facts will also be woven into class.

For adults who like to play and children age 5 and up. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages provided.

Explore the endless possibilities of using just two colors to create unique and beautiful paintings. We will first be creating a color grid to experiment with the colors Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine and then creating several "loose" paintings of landscapes to test these colors. Students will be encouraged to push their values to create dramatic contrast in their paintings. We will take a 15 minute break halfway through class. Suitable for beginner painters and beyond.

Join Kathie Pratt and work in clay to create a nature-themed bas relief that you’ll be able to complete and take home that day.

Artists create a bas-relief by sculpting onto a 2-D plane to create and accentuate figures and objects, producing a 3-D appearance. We’ll be using polymer clay and baking it off, then painting it.

Class size is limited.

Create a winter wonderland in watercolor with local artist Erika Rosso. Students will be using the white of their paper for the snow and learning how to reserve that space as they paint in trees, birds and sky. This class is more suited for older children and adults, ages 7 and up! Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages provided. Originally scheduled for 10:30am, the time for this workshop has been changed to the afternoon, starting at 1:30pm.

Create your own layered nature print using natural materials and cut paper. Gelli plates are reusable and made from gelatin and allow you to create layered prints by hand.  This class is fun for all ages. Artist Juliana Ramirez will lead you through the process of inking the gelli plate, creating an image, and making your prints.  

When we take away the options of various colors, we are left with a simple task of using value to create form. A monochromatic painting uses one color in various values or shades to create an image. This makes the watercolor painting process much easier to approach. Students will be guided step by step to create an image of layered mountains and trees in the foreground, choosing one shade of blue for their painting.

Sip on wine, tea 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.

Join Kathie Pratt and work in clay to create a nature-themed bas relief that you’ll be able to complete and take home that day.

Artists create a bas-relief by sculpting onto a 2-D plane to create and accentuate figures and objects, producing a 3-D appearance. We’ll be using polymer clay and baking it off, then painting it.

Class size is limited.

Cyanotype, also called sun-printing, is an early photographic process that produces blue and white prints. It is usually done in bright sunlight, but can also produce beautiful images on overcast days, and can be done indoors with a specialized UV light. You’ll have a chance to try both sunlight and artificial light.

In this 2-hour workshop, we will work with 5x7 watercolor paper and will use a variety of objects, including feathers, dried ferns, evergreen branches, paper snowflakes, and chandelier prisms to make winter woodland-inspired scenes.

Jennifer Booher is an artist and photographer from Bar Harbor. She has been a Resident Artist with Acadia National Park since 2015, and artist-in-residence with the MDI Historical Society since 2018.

Join Kathie Pratt and work in clay to create a nature-themed bas relief that you’ll be able to complete and take home that day.

Artists create a bas-relief by sculpting onto a 2-D plane to create and accentuate figures and objects, producing a 3-D appearance. We’ll be using polymer clay and baking it off, then painting it. Then, students will be shaping them around glass jars to make a decorative container.

Class size is limited.

Students will be guided step by step to create a painting of whimsical mushrooms with watercolors and ink.

Sip on wine, tea 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.

Students will be guided step by step through painting robins in watercolor.

Students will take a break for stretching with the instructor, who is a certified yoga teacher. This class will be held outside if possible.

Students will be guided step by step through painting a snail & mushrooms in watercolor.

Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages provided.

Join Kathie Pratt and work in clay to create a nature-themed bas relief that you’ll be able to complete and take home that day.

Artists create a bas-relief by sculpting onto a 2-D plane to create and accentuate figures and objects, producing a 3-D appearance. We’ll be using polymer clay and baking it off, then painting it. Then, students will be shaping them around glass jars to make a decorative container.

Class size is limited.

Students will be guided step by step through painting a night sky with the Milky Way over Echo Lake.

Sip on wine, tea 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.

Paint mini foliage and ferns in watercolor in this class taught by artist Erika Rosso.  She will lead you step by step, clearly explaining each step, to create a special forest scene of your own. You’ll step away from the paintbrush for stretch breaks with Erika, who is also a certified yoga teacher. This class will be taught outside if possible. All materials provided. Space is limited.

Students will be guided step by step through painting a tree strewn landscape.

Sip on wine, tea 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.

Students will be guided step by step through painting a watercolor & ink dragonfly.

Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages provided.

Textile collage artist Elaine O’Neil will be at the Gilley to teach two classes creating art from fabric on Thursday, July 18 -- one from 10am to 1pm, and the other from1:30 to 4:30pm.

A Maine native, she now lives half the year in her home state and the other half in North Carolina.

She creates textile collage art of places and scenes that either have a personal meaning to her, or special value to a community. Come make a collage of one of your special places in this worshop. Open to adults and children 8 and old. Spaces are limited and registration is required.

Cyanotype, also called sun-printing, is an early photographic process that produces blue and white prints. It is usually done in bright sunlight, but can also produce beautiful images on overcast days, and can be done indoors with a specialized UV light. You’ll have a chance to try both sunlight and artificial light.

In this 2-hour workshop, we will work with 5x7 watercolor paper and will use a variety of objects, including feathers, dried ferns, evergreen branches, paper snowflakes, and chandelier prisms to make woodland-inspired scenes.  

Sip on wine, tea 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.

Jennifer Booher is an artist and photographer from Bar Harbor. She has been a Resident Artist with Acadia National Park since 2015, and artist-in-residence with the MDI Historical Society since 2018.

Students will be guided step by step through creating a watercolor landscape painting of Somes Sound in blues and greens.

Sip on wine, tea 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.

Paint colorful tree paths in watercolor in this class taught by artist Erika Rosso. She will lead you step by step, clearly explaining each step, to create a special forest scene of your own. You’ll step away from the paintbrush for stretch breaks with Erika, who is also a certified yoga teacher. This class will be taught outside if possible. All materials provided. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.  

Join Kathie Pratt and work in clay to create a nature-themed bas relief that you’ll be able to complete and take home that day.

Artists create a bas-relief by sculpting onto a 2-D plane to create and accentuate figures and objects, producing a 3-D appearance. We’ll be using polymer clay and baking it off, then painting it.

Class size is limited.

Paint a watercolor landscape in the style of Barbara Cooney, who wrote and illustrated Miss Rumphius, among many other children's books. Artist Erika Rosso will walk students through a step-by-step process. All materials will be provided as well as seltzer and juice for this family friendly paint 'n' sip that is suitable for people of all experience levels age 6 and older. All materials are provided. Space is limited and registration is required.

Join watercolor artist Erika Rosso for a three-hour plein air painting workshop at Charlotte Rhoades Park and Butterfly Garden in Southwest Harbor. Erika has a unique style of teaching that encourages watercolor students to play and experiment with their art. Participants should bring their own plein air set-up, including an easel or small pop-up table and chair. Driving directions and a list of needed class materials will be sent when you sign up. Sets of painting materials will be available with advance request.

Students will be guided step by step to create a painting depicting a whale and a boat.

Sip on wine, tea 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.

Students will be guided step by step to create a painting of northern lights and mountain silhouettes.

Sip on wine, tea 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.

Join Kathie Pratt and work in clay to create a bird-themed brooch or lapel pin that you’ll be able to complete and take home that day. Class size is limited. All materials supplied. Students must be 14 or older.

Come get your feet wet and step into the magical world of watercolor with local artist Erika Rosso.  Erika will be guiding students to create a watercolor portrait of a colorful Maine puffin.  Class is suitable for all levels and ages, families and individuals welcome. 

All materials supplied as well as tea and non alcoholic beverages.

Plein Air at the Kelley Farm and Marsh features private instruction from local watercolor artist, Erika Rosso.  This coastal farm offers the opportunity to paint a serene landscape of field, marsh, water and sky.  Supplies can be provided for those that need them. This class is suitable for all levels of painters and provides an opportunity for ample one on one time with the instructor for all of your watercolor questions.  Watercolor demonstrations are also provided during class for those who are interested. 

This full-day workshop takes place on Saturday, Oct. 5, and runs from approximately 5:30 AM to 6:30pm. It is led by local professional photographer, J.K. Putnam, and is designed to maximize learning opportunities and provide guidance on creating the kind of images you want to create. From sunrise to sunset, you will alternate between traveling around Acadia taking photos, and classroom time where we discuss a range of topics that lead to successful, self-expressive image-making. There will also be individual instruction based on your goals and your questions.

What do I mean when I say, self-expression? Am I talking about art? To be honest I struggle with calling myself an artist. I’m uncomfortable with that title. I’m a photographer. Photographer is a very comfortable title for me. But if I want my photography to be personal, I need to express my emotions, my thoughts, and the stories I want to tell through my imagery. I want to express to you, the viewer, how I connect with the subjects that I photograph.

The cost is $150 for Museum members and $175 for non-members. Spaces are limited. Registration is required.

Paint your own Magic Tree in this fun Paint 'n' Sip taught by Erika Rosso at the Gilley. Sip on wine, tea 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.