Happy American Craft Week!

I am sitting here in Monkitree surrounded by beautiful art, turned wood and assorted craft. Most of it made right here in Maine by what seems to be an endless supply of talented artists and craftspeople. Please remember to support your local artist, craftspeople and you local retailers and galleries this coming holiday season. Keep your money in your community, your state and your country. We have talented people here making gorgeous things.

Today I am pretty excited about Gardiner, Maine. It is a rainy day and hardly anyone is coming through the doors but I am still thrilled by Swine and Stein this past weekend. Many people came through the doors that hadn't yet been in and plenty of people returned to visit and make purchases. I had women trying on jewelry and pointing out to their husbands all the things they would be happy to receive as gifts. I had one young woman who currently lives in Portland but grew up here tell me that she was happy that something like Monkitree could exist in Gardiner. Peter tells me he took pictures of the gallery full of people. I must say it felt good to have a full space.

There were a couple of inquiries about buildings available for sale downtown and it is sounding like there just may be some new businesses coming to downtown Gardiner. It makes me happy when people see the potential and want to be a part of making the downtown a vibrant and active downtown.

Why Shop Local?

The economic benefits of supporting your local businesses is undeniable. For every $100 spent in a local business $45 remains in the community, whereas for every $100 spent at a big national retailer only $14 stays in the community. Your local businesses advertise locally, use local repair people, bank locally, buy from local manufacturers/craftspeople/artists, support local charities, etc... These numbers while they vary a bit by region have been supported all over the country including a Midcoast Maine Study that also discovered that by supporting locally owned businesses rather than big box stores it would be the equivalent of adding 500 jobs to the community.

So here comes the plug...support Monkitree (especially this Christmas season). If you do, you are not only supporting a single local business... Monkitree represents artist/craftspeople from Gardiner, West Gardiner, Pittson, Litchfield, Augusta, Monmouth, and more. So what are you likely to find here? A range of products to be sure- jewelry, pottery, hand-carved wooden spoons,turned wood bowls, woven scarves and placemats, rolling pins, magnets, cards and fine art.

The next show is going to be a fun one. So come out to the Opening Reception and see all that Monkitree has to offer. Oh and if you are following my blog from elsewhere, I am happy to ship to you :)


Additional reading material on supporting local business from Time,Businessweek and the Wall Street Journal.

Busy Planning

It has been a while since I have written. I have been busy getting the next few shows scheduled out and artists lined up. I am very excited about it. I was telling an artist who stopped in yesterday about my plans and she said, "You sound like you are having fun." And boy am I! I have three photographers lined up for a Holga/Diana camera images show (still need to come up with a clever name for that one). Kevin Brusie from Portland, Maine, Carol Dronsfield from NY,NY, and Dave Engledow from Washington, DC will all be exhibiting their photography here beginning July 23rd. Next up TREES! It is only fitting with a name like Monkitree that we do a tree themed show. In October while the tree paintings, drawings and photography are still hanging I am planning a woodturning show to take place during American Craft Week. I have had a great conversation with Andy Hoyt the current President of the Maine Woodturners Association and I'm confident that will come together nicely. Next up- I need to start planning a local artist show for November/December and an emerging artist show for January and February. There is so much to do but I must say I am truly enjoying myself!