ROCKLAND – John Wilmerding, an art scholar and longtime summer resident of Northeast Harbor, will be the first recipient of a new award given next month by the Farnsworth Museum of Art to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to understanding Maine’s considerable role in the American art scene. Wilmerding will receive the Maine in America Award during a fundraising gala held July 1 at Primo Restaurant in Rockland.

Wilmerding, a professor of art at Princeton University and a museum professional, has written extensively on Fitz Hugh Lane, Winslow Homer and Thomas Eakins. His newest book is about Richard Estes, a photo realist who divides his time between Mount Desert Island and New York City.

As former senior curator of American art and deputy director of the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., Wilmerding is a well-known historian and curator among both art administrators and academics. Over the years, he also collected art. In 2004, he bequeathed his private collection of works by American masters, rich with Maine imagery, to the National Gallery.

“John is the first person who came to mind for this award and is a perfect inaugural choice,” said Lora Urbanelli, director of the Farnsworth. “He embodies what we talk about as unique to artists in Maine. You can talk about the history of art and unwittingly wrap it in Maine. But he doesn’t do it unwittingly at all. He’s very cognizant of the contributions of this state and its resources.”

The Farnsworth has a nationally recognized collection of American art, including a wing devoted to the Wyeth family of artists, and the second largest collection of works by 20th century sculptor Louise Nevelson, who grew up in Rockland. The actual Maine in America Award is a cast bronze reproduction of one of Nevelson’s jewelry pieces.

“The award came about because the Farnsworth has been trying to home in on its mission,” said Urbanelli. “The mission is to celebrate the role of Maine in American art. We wanted to tie in an award to that mission to publicize what we do and to give positive feedback to supporting the story of Maine in American art.”

Proceeds from the award ceremony and gala fund-raiser will go toward the museum’s education and public programs.

Alicia Anstead can be reached at 990-8266 and aanstead@bangordailynews.net.