Women sow seeds of art at Blue Iris

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CHERRYFIELD – The evening shadows give way to the black darkness of a rural night, but there is warm light spilling out of the windows of the Blue Iris Gallery on North Street.

Inside the gallery, which celebrated its one-year anniversary in February, the works of some of Washington County’s most accomplished visual artists are on display.

The white walls provide a stark, uncluttered backdrop for works including the landscape pastels of Dorothy Somers-Pilloni, mixed-media collages by Sarah Brandon, acrylic paintings by Joanne Halpin, and black-and-white photographs by Kris Larson. Display tables highlight the provoking ceramic sculptures of Alison Enslin. Another area is devoted to the art of students from Narraguagus High School in Harrington.

The Blue Iris steadily has been establishing itself as a haven for the often-neglected work of Washington County’s artists and as a gathering place.

“The response to the gallery has been far better than I anticipated,” said Somers-Pilloni, who started the gallery in order to fulfill a project requirement in a master’s of education correspondence course through the University of New England. “We get calls all the time.”

The works of eight Washington County artists were on view throughout February. The sculpture of Sullivan artist Rick Beckjord will be featured starting March 9. That day, a reception will be held from 4 to 8 p.m.

The Blue Iris is situated on Somers-Pilloni’s property, in a building that once housed the Sunrise Donuts bakery. She organizes its daily operation in conjunction with three other local artists: Brandon, of Steuben; and Enslin and Halpin, both of Milbridge.

It’s a space that the four women believe is vital for the community.

“There’s a lot happening here that doesn’t get recognized,” remarked Somers-Pilloni.

None of the women is originally from Washington County, and Enslin, originally from Vassalboro, is the only native Mainer.

Somers-Polloni came to Washington County from New Jersey in 1984, Brandon from Massachusetts in 1988, and Halpin from Florida in

1996. They all were in search of a lifestyle they found in Washington County. The women say they appreciate the beauty and the slow pace that facilitates their creativity.

“My art is the landscape of Washington County,” Somers-Polloni said. “Simple. Beautiful. Reliable.”

“I prefer a rural environment,” Brandon agreed. “It feeds me. I make a point of going outside a lot. Whatever I see and take in translates into two-dimensional work.”

There are several galleries in eastern Washington County, including Timeless Reflections and Eastport Gallery in Eastport and Ridge House Gallery in Lubec. In Machias, there’s Woodwind Custom Frames and Gallery.

But in western Washington County, the trend has been for artists to display their works in local businesses or at summer festivals. Some artists, such as Harrington painters Hazel Carter, Sandra Priest and Gwen Strout, invite patrons into their homes to view their work.

Washington County artists also are limited by geography and time constraints when it comes to procuring a place for their works in galleries farther afield.

“It takes a lot of time to organize to show your work someplace else,” Enslin said. “If you want to pursue a gallery in Portland, for instance, that’s very time-consuming.”

“You also have to catalog, photograph and write about your work [in order to have it placed in a gallery]. It’s a lot of self-promotion,” Brandon added.

Somers-Polloni, Brandon, Enslin and Halpin now are investing much of their time and energy in the gallery.

The women meet on an ad-hoc basis to coordinate activities. Halpin does computer work, Somers-Polloni cooks for the open houses, Brandon shovels snow. They try to get the word out by networking with friends and colleagues, advertising in local newspapers, and making posters.

In the spring, visitors to the gallery will be able to view a lily and fish pond that Somers-Polloni, an avid gardener, constructed. And that’s also when the blue irises will be in bloom.

“I love blue irises. I have them all over the yard. I sent my kids out to the swamp and they transplanted them for me,” Somers-Polloni joked.

Three open houses have been held at the Blue Iris, featuring food, conversation, and singing and dancing by Somers-Polloni’s teen-age daughters and their friends.

Somers-Polloni sees the gallery as an opportunity for local high school students to develop their art.

“I felt it would be educational for area students to have a place to come and look at art, and to display their own art,” she said. “It helps them to understand the process [of producing art and procuring a place in a gallery].” So far, six students have displayed their work there.

The Blue Iris does not have set hours of operation.

“We’re mostly open all the time – except when we’re not there,” Somers-Polloni said, grinning.

She recommends that people traveling long distances make an appointment. Set hours will be established in the spring.

To reach Blue Iris Gallery, take Route 1 to Cherryfield. At the flashing light, turn onto Route 193 north. After 1 mile, take a left on North Street and cross the bridge. The gallery is on the left. Call 546-7947 for an appointment or visit www.blue-iris-gallery.com.