Joseph Fiore (1925-2008) was a widely respected artist and active member of the Maine Art Gallery during the 1960s and 70s. In celebration of the 100th year of his birth, the gallery is partnering with Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) on an exclusive and overdue major retrospective, “Fiore at 100: Maine Observed.” The show runs June 19 - Aug. 24, with an opening reception and Solstice Party on Saturday, June 21. To mark the occasion, Maine Public will rebroadcast the documentary, "Joseph Fiore—The Nature of the Artist," at 9 p.m. on June 19 and again at 2 p.m. on June 21.

Several related events include art talks and a jazz concert. A catalogue with an appreciation by art writer Suzette McAvoy will accompany the show. 

The exhibition is curated by distinguished Maine watercolorist David Dewey, who sees “Fiore At 100, Maine Observed,” as a celebration of an artist whose two creative modes--representation and abstraction--have always run parallel with one another. These approaches merged together and nourished one another as his career developed, enriching our appreciation of the Maine landscape and its history.

Joseph Fiore was born in Cleveland, Ohio, where his father was a founding member of the Cleveland Symphony. He studied at Black Mountain College under Josef Albers, Ilya Bolotowsky, and Willem de Kooning. He was a member of the 10th Street art scene in New York City in the late ’50s and ’60s, showing alongside the likes of Alex Katz, Lois Dodd, and Bernard Langlais. These and other artists showed in the celebrated summer exhibitions mounted in the first decade of the Maine Art Gallery. 

Fiore was an avid supporter of Maine Farmland Trust. The works on exhibit were donated to the Trust by the Falcon Foundation in honor of Fiore’s longstanding commitment to the organization and its history of programs combining art and environment. Sales of the work will benefit both the Maine Farmland Trust and the Maine Art Gallery. 

The Fiore retrospective is accompanied on the second floor by a juried members show of objective and non-objective work inspired by Maine landscapes. This show, which extends from June 19 to July 27. MAG members chosen to be included in this show reside in towns throughout Maine, as well as one from Pennsylvania. These locations include Alna: Brian Dubina; Auburn: Cathryn Falwell; Belfast: Kathryn Shagas; Boothbay Harbor: Andre Benoit, Mark Coates; Bristol: Mark Malinowski; Bowdoinham: Jane Page-Conway; Brunswick: Elizabeth Campbell, Valerie Upham; Camden: Rachel Houlihan; Cape Elizabeth: Don Peterson; Cushing: Molly Muglar; Damariscotta: Sarah Fisher; Dresden: Nancy Nicol; Durham: Stephanie Berry; Freeport: Linda Rowell-Kelly; Gardiner: Paul Gaj; Newcastle: Carol Wiley; New Portland: Nora West; Nobleboro: Carolyn Gabbe; North Berwick: Linda Williams; Peaks Island: Jane Banquer; Pemaquid: Marcia Brandwein; Phippsburg: Stephanie Pruzanski; Portland: Mark Barnette, Amy Kustra, Michel Droge; Rockland: Cynthia Hyde; South Portland: Cynthia Sortwell; Sullivan: Robert Clay; Topsham: Robin Brooks, Kevin LaDue; Waldoboro: Holly Berry; Walpole: Libby Reed; West Bath: Jonathan Lavan; Westport Island: Aurise Randall; Wynnewood, PA; Mary Ellen Goetz. 

An opening reception and Summer Solstice Party with live music by Jud Caswell will be held at the gallery on Saturday, June 21, 4:30-6:30 p.m. 

Special hours for the combined exhibits: Wed. – Sun., 11a.m.-4 p.m. The gallery will be open until 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 26 for the Wiscasset Art Walk

Visit the Gallery website for special events including an Art Talk on Thursday, June 26 at 6 p.m.: “Fiore Art Center Residency: Experience and Influence" with Jude Valentine and Michel Droge. On Saturday, June 28, 4:30 p.m., Fiore’s daughter, Susanna Fiore, and Jay Girill present a jazz concert with remarks by show curator, David Dewey. Email info@maineartgallery.org to RSVP and for venue information in Nobleboro. Suggested donation, $25.

The Maine Art Gallery gratefully acknowledges season sponsor, Sherri Dunbar of Tim Dunham Realty, capital sponsor, Islebrook Village at Wiscasset, an Everbrook Senior Living Community, Fiore primary sponsor, Fogg & Dalton Art Restoration, and Fiore supporting sponsor, Ames True Value Hardware. The Juried Members Show is sponsored by Gartley & Dorsey engineers. 

A nonprofit organization since 1958, the Maine Art Gallery, located at 15 Warren Street, Wiscasset, is dedicated to the advancement and preservation of the visual, fine and applied arts through exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations and educational programs for children and adults. More information can be found at www.maineartgallerywiscasset.org and on Facebook at Maine Art Gallery Wiscasset. Email info@maineartgallerywiscasset.org or phone (207) 687-8143.

Maine Farmland Trust is a statewide, member-powered nonprofit working to protect farmland, support farmers, and advance the future for farming. Since its founding in 1999, MFT has permanently protected over 370 farms and has helped to keep over 68,000 acres of farmland in farming and support a network of over 550 farms with critical services. More information can be found at www.mainefarmlandtrust.org.