August 4, 2025 - August 31, 2025

The Blue Hill Public Library is pleased to announce the opening of “A Little Help From My Friends,” a group exhibition during the month of August, curated by Sedgwick Artist Leslie Anderson. This highly anticipated fundraiser show is an August tradition at the library.  Everyone is invited to the opening reception for the show on Friday, August 8th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM– a wonderful opportunity to meet the artists.

Anderson has put together a show composed of paintings, baskets, artists’ books, and pottery by many of the “amazing women artists” she has encountered in her 20-plus years of painting on the Blue Hill Peninsula. Some are mentors, some fellow students, some plein-air painting buddies, and some she knows from farmers’ markets. All have played a role in shaping her as an artist and a person. Inspired by the fact that several of her closest friends are facing serious life events, Anderson curated this show as a way to honor the importance of the female friends in her life.

“It seemed fitting that these women, my sisters in art, would come together to help the Blue Hill Public Library, which is a true community gem and great supporter of the arts and artists,” Anderson said. This show honors women in the local arts community and the library’s importance as a dynamic cultural center where people of different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences can feel a sense of belonging and engagement.

Participating artists include: Marianne Alweis, Leslie Anderson, Margret Baldwin, Sarah Baskin, Louise Bourne, Cynthia Bourque-Simonds, Cheryl Coffin, Pamela Elias, Kate Emlen, Jill Finsen, Susan Finsen, Emily Johansen, Melody Lewis-Kane, Martha Martin, Jennifer Mitchell-Nevins, Debra Nygaard, Vivian Pyle, Barbara Shelley, Marcia Stremlau, and Adele Ursone.

According to Melody Lewis-Kane of Clay Forms Pottery in Sedgwick, “We are, as artists and members of this wonderful community, so fortunate to have such an inspiring library. It continues to support the artistic community and provides a place of creativity for all ages. We are privileged to be able to support this amazing library and community gathering place.”

The show will be open for viewing in August during library hours, with viewing of those works in the Howard Room subject to the meeting room schedule. For more information, please visit www.bhpl.net or call the library at 374-5515.