A long-standing mission of this group is to foster an appreciation of art in the Midcoast area and to support art education. Funding for this mission comes in part from commissions on sales, membership fees and donations from visitors. Each year the group presents checks to local schools and organizations to encourage art education.

Past recipients have been Great Salt Bay Community School in Damariscotta, Bristol Consolidated Schools, Healthy Kids, South Bristol School, and Lincoln Academy in Newcastle.

Gallery members also participate in this effort by donating a painting, the sale of which is dedicated to the funding. Cindy Spencer and Carole Wiley are among the donors of paintings this year.

Each year an annual museum pass to the Portland Museum of Art is purchased by the Gallery and provided to Skidompha Public Library for use by community members. The free pass to the Museum can be accessed simply by making a reservation at the Library. One pass per day per family is available. It is not necessary to be a member of the Library to use the pass.

The Gallery season runs from Memorial Day weekend through the middle of October. The website is available year-round at www.pemaquidartgallery.com and the Gallery may be visited on Facebook also.