‘The Boot Cove Chronicles’ exhibit opens May 19 at UMaine Machias

MACHIAS, Maine — The University of Maine at Machias Art Galleries will open its first summer show, “The Boot Cove Chronicles,” on Monday, May 19 from 4-6 p.m. in Powers Hall, Gallery I. 

The exhibit will showcase paintings of local artist Sherry Ashby. Works in this collection are inspired by Ashby’s time at a winter rental at Boot Cove in Lubec, Maine which looks out over the entrance to Quoddy Head State Park. As she looked out the window and took in the houses and the shapes they created, the way they caught the light reminded her of a child’s wooden block toy set. With Grand Manan, a large Canadian island off the coast of New Brunswick, in the distance and the lagging fishing boats and busy birds closer to shore, Ashby took in the serenity of the cove and captured it in her work. Carrying Place Cove.

Ashby grew up in the small fishing village of Lubec, Maine before leaving the state to study art at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. During one summer semester, she was able to study studio art at La Napoule Art Foundation in southern France. Taking a break from college studies, she then backpacked around the states to see what the world beyond New England looked like. After years of travel, her desire to settle back in Maine to raise her children and garden led her back home to Washington county. Here she continues her education in art, homeschools her youngest son and makes her living as both a visual artist and landscaper.

The exhibit will be available through June 27. Following the opening, visitors can view the galleries on weekdays from 12:30-4:30 p.m.