For 144 years, Southport General Store has been more than a place to buy groceries—it's been the heart of the island. Guided by its motto, "Food for Every Day. Food for Everyone," the historic general store has always put community first while welcoming everyone who walks through its doors.

That same philosophy extends beyond food and into the arts.

At Southport General Store & Barn, art isn't reserved for galleries or special occasions. It is woven into everyday life, inviting customers to discover original paintings, stained glass, jewelry, textiles, prints, and books while shopping for groceries, enjoying lunch, or gathering with friends. By making art part of the daily experience, the General Store continues its commitment to creating a welcoming place where everyone can connect with the creativity that defines Southport Island and the state of Maine.

Home to many of Maine's most accomplished artists, Southport Island provides the foundation for the General Store's carefully curated collection. The General Store & Barn prioritizes exhibiting artists who live and create on the island before expanding its collection to include exceptional makers from across Maine.

"Our motto, 'Food for Every Day. Food for Everyone,' reflects our belief that everyone deserves to feel welcome here," the barn manager said. "We approach art with that same mindset. We want people to encounter beautiful, meaningful work in an approachable setting—whether they're lifelong collectors or simply stopping in for a cup of coffee."

This season's featured artists include:

• June Elderkin, whose paintings celebrate the changing light, landscapes, and coastal beauty of Southport Island and the Maine shoreline.

• Richard Macdonald, whose handcrafted stained-glass pieces brighten The Barn's windows.

• Jeanne Lally and Maria Deolp, whose prints capture the character and beauty of Maine.

• Jewelry by Leslie Weaver, Sari Rae, and Nora Lally.

• Handwoven towels by Pat Evans.

• Poetry by Anne Cyr.

• And, new this season, the expressive coastal paintings of Benjamin Gibbons.

A Southport resident for nearly five decades, June Elderkin devoted her artistic career to interpreting the landscapes that have shaped her life.

"Painting the place I love most gives me a great deal of comfort and satisfaction," Elderkin wrote. "Hour by hour, season by season, it is never the same. I want to convey that in color and have fun doing it."

Joining the collection this season, Benjamin Gibbons brings a contemporary perspective to Maine's coastline. Working primarily in acrylic, Gibbons blends impressionism and abstraction to capture the emotion, movement, and memory of the natural world. His work has been exhibited throughout Midcoast Maine, including Primo Restaurant, Windows Art Gallery, Bad Hauss Gallery, and now Southport General Store & Barn.

For 144 seasons, Southport General Store has remained a gathering place where neighbors meet, visitors feel at home, and local makers are celebrated. By supporting artists alongside farmers, fishermen, and food producers, the General Store continues to strengthen the creative and economic fabric of the community.

Visitors are invited to experience the collection throughout the General Store campus and discover why Southport General Store & Barn remains one of Maine's most welcoming destinations—where local food, local art, and local community come together every day.