BAR HARBOR – The Abbe Museum invites artists to submit a proposal for transforming canoe paddles into works of art to be sold at an Abbe benefit auction on Aug. 12. Proposals are due by Feb. 16.

The “Abbe Paddle Art” event will be a new addition to the Abbe’s annual summer gala, which again will include an auction of high-quality Maine Indian arts.

To participate, artists are asked to submit a proposal of no more than two pages. Each artist whose proposal is chosen by the selection committee will receive an unvarnished, beaver-tail white ash paddle, 6 feet in length with an approximately 7-by-21-inch blade. Each artist also will receive a $50 stipend for materials.

The paddles can be painted, carved, sculpted or worked in any other medium. The proposal should include a description of the imagery or theme the artist wishes to convey, the medium and materials.

The Abbe is also inviting businesses to sponsor a paddle, which they can display in their business location in June and July.

Sponsors may suggest a public venue such as a library where the paddle can be displayed.

Each paddle sponsorship is $500, with proceeds to benefit the Abbe.

By March 14, the selection committee will inform artists in writing whether their proposal has been selected. Artists will deliver their completed paddles to the Abbe or to collection points in Portland and Bangor by May 31. All of the paddles will be exhibited during a reception for the artists and sponsors at the museum in early June. Each artist and sponsor will receive two tickets to the June reception and the Aug. 12 gala.

While some paddles will remain on display at the Abbe, others will be exhibited in June and July at sponsor locations and other public venues around Hancock County.

A map will guide area residents and visitors to the locations of all the paddles on display. The paddles, artists and sponsors also will appear on the Abbe Web site.

The paddles will return to the Abbe for a brief exhibition in August before the gala and auction on Aug. 12.

Sarah Ruef-Lindquist of Surry, Abbe trustee and chairwoman of the “Abbe Paddle Art” event, said: “This benefit is designed to be a fun way for area residents and visitors to experience some of the most exciting art being created in Maine. It will also connect artists with the large numbers of people who enjoy Bar Harbor and Acadia for their natural beauty and the Abbe for its rich cultural offerings. At the same time, the event will benefit a unique, high quality museum devoted to celebrating Maine’s Indian heritage.”

The Abbe is closed until Feb. 5, when the museum galleries and shop will reopen with winter hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m Thursdays through Sundays. The museum is located at 26 Mount Desert St.

Paddle proposals should be mailed to Sharon Broom, Development Director, Abbe Museum, P.O. Box 286, Bar Harbor, ME 04609. Information is available at (207) 288-3519 or by e-mail, abbesb@midmaine.com.