“Cutting Through” an Oil by Brooke Borcharding, a Young Artist from Seattle – A Seattle Scene – $1,450.
Pat Hurd, is the Painter of this “Untitled Floral” She’s From Scarborough. $1,600.00. Acrylic.
Mary Bentz Gilkerson, of South Carolina, Painted This “Summer Cotton Fields” with a Pallete Knife. $1,200.00
Light on the Barn is by Dianna Johnson. $155.00.
By Carol McCracken (Post # 2,421)
“What I want people to know about Casco Bay Artisans is that we are eclectic,” said Jen Swarts, owner of the recently relocated art gallery to 68 Commercial Street on the Portland waterfront. Newly opened, CBA had a popular two years on Market Street before relocating to this enviable location. It’s a special place — and please let me show and tell you why!
“We have everything from Dutch Realism, traditional, abstract mixed with traditional as well as extraordinary and unique jewelry,” said Jen. CBA shows art work and unique jewelry from all over the world – currently she is exhibiting work from about 40 artists. While most of her artists are from Maine, Jen does like to show work from all over the world. Paintings are curated in-house. She plans on a quarterly review of the Gallery.
Tucked in between Dry Dock and RiRa at 68 Commercial Street, CBA is on the first floor of a new building. When Jen learned there could be space for her gallery, she jumped at the opportunity. She hired Bill Hopkins and Katherine Deitmer of Archetypes Archiects, to design the space CBA now occupies – all 1,000 sq. ft. of it. (This firm also designed the space – the Science Center – located above the gallery.) There are high ceilings, lots of windows and of course lots of wall space to showcase the at work at CBA. A sign is under construction and will be installed in the near future – making it easier to find the gallery.
Jen has a background in business and is herself a metal smith. She makes unique jewelry through a process that has been patented because it is so intricate. She shows the jewelry of like-minded artists from around the country as well. She is married with three children and lives in Portland. Her parents are retired on Peaks Island – to which her family has a long-time connection.
She is planning a grand opening for Thursday, December 3, 2015.
The gallery is open on Monday and Tuesday by appointment only. The rest of the week from late morning until early evening. A webpage is under construction. You may reach the Gallery at 207 – 536-1577.
Jonathan Eitner Has Ten Pieces at CBA. He Is a Member of the Boston Guild.