This is one of the best art galleries in Maine because it continues to offer outstanding shows each…read moremonth that are juried by quality art experts. The art works selected are hung by folks who have experience in professional art settings and have a great eye for creating beautiful exhibits. Artists who exhibit at River Arts are welcomed by a friendly staff and enjoy the great openings each month. A special place!

When you're driving up from Harpswell to Bar Harbor... there's a fair amount of local pottery…read morestores. There's even more antique shops. MAN, the amount of antique shops. I could literally just spend a week making that three hour trek, stopping every 5-7 miles at an antique store, but I digress. One of the first pottery stores we encountered in the trek was Salt Box Pottery. A big fan of salt boxes myself, and a big fan of pottery, I was sold. You might be saying to yourself... why does a man who annoyingly claims to keep a low sodium diet, as much as a crossfitter likes to talk about how hard their work out was, like salt boxes? Listen, I can appreciate the pottery and construction of a salt box can't I?! Can I not?! So, this adorable little outpost is half store and half studio. There was one potter who was in studio when we arrived and she graciously let us use her restroom and was not very hovery (probably not a word) as we shopped around. I ended up purchasing a beautiful bowl, which I pretty much use every day now. And I also purchased a small blue cup that I have no idea what the use case is. It's almost the size of one of those la fermière terracotta yogurt containers... and when I buy those I usually make candles out of the empty containers (like a good resourceful gay). But... I definitely wouldn't want to light any fire in this small beautiful blue thing. I'll find a use for it one day, and it will be glorious. If you're headed from Harpswell Maine to Bar Harbor I'd highly recommend stopping here. I can tell you, as someone who is in their Pottery era, and as someone who stopped at MANY of the potters between Harpswell and Bar Harbor... this was surely one of my favorites. So much so, that amongst the 10 or so pottery stores I stopped at - this is my first to review and the one I'm most excited about... and that's coming from someone who keeps a low sodium diet... did I mention I keep a low sodium diet?

Amazing local pottery with colonial styling and glazes. Microwavable and dishwasher-proof as well…read more I always stop to add a piece or find a gift. Special orders are also possible. A bit tricky to find the first time, but just off Route 1 (southbound side).

Well curated, always fair, and always helpful. This remains one of the best galleries for…read morecontemporary and period (particularly mid 20th century Maine) art in the State. Worth a visit to see what treasures they've discovered in an ever-changing retail gallery.

We once again visited what I consider the finest art gallery in Boothbay Harbor on our recent…read morevacation. The art work of Andrea Peters particularly stood out though a few other art works were very good.

I love this gift shop so much. Every town we've lived in during my life, we've always found that…read moreONE spot that we seek out to be the special place for those unique and thoughtful gifts for our loved ones. Monkitree is THAT place, for Gardiner. The owner features local artisans from across Maine, in a variety of themes. Textiles, jewelry, fine art, kitchen goods, small games and puzzles, coffee, chocolates, and a few unique items of clothing. There's a few things that a true to Gardiner here, that feature fish (alewives), the Kennebec River and the sturgeon. I'd say the prices are on par with the quality of the work shown in the shop. There's something for everyone here!

Really cool place, and the owner is very nice. Not one of those low class "gift shops" where you go…read moreto get the cheapest possible piece of crap for jealous relatives you hate. This is a great place to buy a gift for someone who you actually want to buy a gift for or just chill out and talk about politics in the back room. I think they stopped allowing smoking since the pandemic, but this is just one of those amazing little gems. If you're in the area I think you should check it out as it is truly unique.

December 5th was the last Gardiner Art Walk for this year. It was a balmy 8° outside, the coldest…read morenight so far. But the smell of homemade meatballs lured me into the gallery! Yes. Meatballs. Alan Claude studio always has fabulous food for art walk night, tonight was meatballs and tiramisu. Delish!!!! I looked through the 8x10 prints to find some winter scenes to bring home. But did get a little overwhelmed by the amount people sharing the gallery and shop space and had to duck out. But! He always runs a really good sale for the 8x10s, where you can pick three for one set price. So I've made my list, I'm checking it twice and I'm sending my Santa back to pick them up. Nobody how busy the gallery is, Alan himself ALWAYS makes a point to greet every single person that steps in the door. He's also happy to take photos and sign art!

Was delighted to find an Alan Claude Gallery on our recent visit to Gardiner, ME! His work is…read morestunning and quintessential Maine. There is something for every ME fan to enjoy. Original pieces, popular prints in many sizes, calendars, and assorted cards fill the historic space. Insider tip: free bookmarks.

I had the opportunity to visit the Moss Galleries because my neighbor across the street is an…read moreartist and had an opening there. So close to home! It's a really nice, large space. There's a huge carpet in the middle of the room (at least with the current setup) but I can see how artificial walls could easily be brought in to make even more wall space. Having said that, it would also be a great space for sculptures. The woman working at the desk seemed very friendly, though I did not take the opportunity to chat with her much. I do feel like it's a bit of shame it's in the middle of a strip mall next to Shaw's, but we can't all land primo real estate I guess. Having said that, it's a perfect opportunity to drop by once every couple weeks before/after your grocery shopping. I believe I will do this in the future!

If you want to see (mostly) Maine artists' work, well-hung and well-lit, Elizabeth Moss Galleries…read moreare the places to go. They are welcoming, not intimidating, and the Falmouth gallery has plenty of parking. The line up is always different at the Portland gallery than the Falmouth gallery. Both offer insights into Maine's artist community at the highest levels. Elizabeth is the right person to advise you on choosing art that works for you in your space-- office or home. Their framing services are top notch, but it's the art I go for. I make a point of visiting the galleries regularly. The shows change about once a month and even when I don't want to take any piece home, I do find the work intriguing.

Classy art gallery with excellent selection of paintings. Many works depicting Maine seascapes,…read morewaterfront and shoreside paintings. There's a main floor, which extends well to the rear of the building, as well a downstairs with more paintings, and a few selected prints, exhibited. Typically paintings are grouped by artist, with perhaps 4 or 5 paintings by that artist. Typical venues depicted are scenes from Monhegan Island, Camden Harbor and other water views.

From the owner: Specializing in Contemporary Impressionist and Realist Paintings of Maine, New England and Beyond.read more