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Fourth Annual “Camden on Canvas” Raises Over $35,000 for Camden Public Library’s Campaign for the Future

Locals and visitors gathered in the sunny Camden Amphitheatre on Sunday, July 21, for an exciting live auction of paintings that had been freshly created that weekend during the fourth annual “Camden on Canvas.” The proceeds of the auction were split between the artists and the Camden Public Library. The library is pleased to announce that Camden on Canvas raised more than $35,000 for the library’s Campaign for the Future, which will go toward strengthening the library’s long-term ability to create young readers, foster lifelong learning, and sustain the historic building and parks.

Artist George Van Hook stands with his in-progress painting of Schooner Mary Day in Camden Harbor.
Auctioneer Kaja Veilleux of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries points to a bidder on the far right.

“We were delighted to bring the community together through art and creativity again this year,” said Kristy Kilfoyle, the library’s Executive Director. “I am so impressed by the generous spirit of Camden and its support for this special place.”

The auction capped a full plein-air weekend, featuring 21 talented landscape artists from around New England. On Friday and Saturday, along with Sunday morning, anyone could meet the artists and watch them paint on-location outdoors. Each painter, with their own unique style and perspective, brought both beloved and surprising views of the Camden and Rockport area to the canvas. Before the auction on Sunday, the public browsed the freshly created paintings in the historic Amphitheatre during an outdoor wet-paint exhibit. 

Artist Alison Hill works on her painting of the library’s Fauns Garden and bronze statue, encircled by matching staircases that descend from the Reading Room.
Artist Douglas Smith captures the essence of a summer’s day in Camden with his painting of River Ducks Ice Cream. Photo credit Camden Public Library.

Participating painters included Daniel Corey, Ken DeWaard, Carol L. Douglas, Stephan Giannini, Mary Ann Heinzen, Alison Hill, Jill Hoy, Eric Jacobsen, Amy Lowry, Nathaniel Meyer, Scott Redfern, Björn Runquist, Tollef Runquist, Douglas Smith, Janet Sutherland, Greta Van Campen, Susan Van Campen, George Van Hook, Russel Whitten, Peter Yesis, and Camden on Canvas collaborator Colin Page of Page Gallery in Camden. Click here to learn more about the participating artists.

Artists Russel Whitten and Eric Jacobsen discuss Whitten’s finished piece.
The crowd gathers for the live auction, with Camden Harbor as the backdrop.

The Camden Public Library extends thanks and gratitude to the members of library’s Board of Trustees who pioneered the success of Camden on Canvas: Colin Page, Betsy Perry, Liz Senders, Kristen Smith, Natalie Travia, Kendra Watkins, and Marti Wolfe.

Artist Carol L. Douglas shows her finished piece to admirers at the wet-paint exhibit in the Amphitheatre.

The library would also like to acknowledge to the community members, volunteers, staff, and sponsors who made this event a success. In particular, the library thanks “Magnum Opus Sponsor” Ken Gardiner of Edward Jones Investments in Camden; “Premiere Sponsors” Viking Lumber – Rankin’s, Once A Tree, and Lyman-Morse; “Visionary Sponsors” Carver Hill Gallery, Rockport Blueprint, Page Gallery, Small Wonder Gallery, Margo Moore Interiors, Antiques @ 10 Mechanic, P.G. Willey & Co., Jessie Tobias Design, Dwelling in Maine, and Harbor Square Gallery.

The library also thanks the following In-Kind Supporters: Abigail’s Inn, Bay View Collection, Blackberry Inn, Cedar Crest Inn, Drift Oceanside Inn, French & Brawn Market Place, Jacob Gerrtisen, Dorothea Guthrie Graham, Hartstone Inn, The Inn at Ocean’s Edge, Megunticook Market, The Mount Battie Inn, Timbercliffe Cottage, Judy Wolf, and Kaja Veilleux of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries.

An audience member bids on a painting during the exciting live auction of the freshly created paintings.
Camden Public Library’s Executive Director Kristy Kilfoyle stands with library Trustee Betsy Perry in front of artist Nathaniel Meyer’s finished work. Photo credit Jacob Gerritsen.

Those who wish to contribute to the library’s Campaign for the Future may donate online here or in person at 55 Main Street in Camden. 

More photos from 2024 Camden on Canvas can be found on our Facebook page.

Photography courtesy of Julia Sagaser of Camden Public Library unless otherwise stated.

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