It is often said that passion makes for great art. If this is the case, then the Schoolhouse Gallery in nearby Kingfield, Maine is a perfect example of this tradition. And currently, the Schoolhouse Gallery features a brand new exhibit celebrating a legendary Maine camp, adding further to its remarkable collection of Pine Tree State art.
The Schoolhouse Gallery is the brainchild of Cynthia and John Orcutt. John’s training as an architect serves as a strong foundation for his latest pursuit into landscape photography. His works focus on the natural, rustic beauty of the Kingfield area, a small hamlet about 20 minutes south of the Sugarloaf Mountain ski resort in the western Maine mountains. His subjects range from the intimate, artistic synergy of Nordic skis resting beside a ski lodge to the kinetic energy of water rushing down the rugged granite of nearby Poplar Falls. Each photo is reproduced on wide, broad archival quality canvas paper that dramatically captivates the viewer. For John’s latest effort, he has chronicled life at Deer Park Lodge, a classic hunting, fishing, and boating camp located at nearby Richardson Lake. His camera has captured the simplistic, rugged beauty of camp existence from the smooth contours of canoes to the porch views of Maine’s majestic summits.
Joining John in the creative life is his wife, Cynthia, whose artistry with the camera equals his own. Cynthia is also gaining significant praise for her focus on the fabric arts. This is perhaps most evident in the launching of her Ancora line which repurposes linens, clothing, lace and even napkins for one of a kind beautiful fabric bags.
Those who venture into the Schoolhouse Gallery can expect a warm, neighborly welcome from John and Cynthia. Expect a personal tour of the gallery (which, true to it’s name, was a former one room schoolhouse) and its impressive expanse of 1,000 square feet of gallery space. Along with John and Cynthia’s works, the gallery also displays the efforts of talented local artists working within a variety of media including paint, watercolor, glass, metal and wood.
