Kennebunk Area Art Galleries l Art Walks
Destination KennebunkArt
Kennebunkport has long attracted vacationers, fishermen, artists and dreamers. But in recent years it has emerged as a thriving art destination! With its broad beaches, dramatic shores, picturesque harbors, brightly colored boats, buoys and fish houses rising and falling with each tide, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport are ever changing and always inspiring. It is only fitting that artists have flocked to this scenic seaside setting. In recent years especially, the Kennebunks have become a top art destination, for art creators and art-lovers, its one of the best art communities in Maine, rivaling the likes of Rockland and Portland!
With over 30 unique galleries and studios in Kennebunkport and Kennebunk, you can browse everything from photography to paintings, jewelry to sculptures, whale carvings to handcrafted kaleidoscopes, and even mobile art-amazing wind sculptures. What’s cool about the Kennebunk art scene is you often observe artists at work – brush in hand – in their own creative studios or out and about at Walkers Point, the Breakwater, the beach or shoreline capturing a sunset on canvas.
Kennebunks’ feature beautiful art works range from high end to homemade, classic Maine to modern, often unique and one-of-a-kind. You can make a week’s vacation browsing Maine-themed works in art studios and galleries of downtown Kennebunk, Lower Village, Kennebunkport’s Dock Square and along Ocean Ave, out to Cape Porpoise and Goose Rocks Beach.
So much creativity in one place, this is a community that annually publishes numerous art calendars – from fish shacks to seascapes, even local dog calendars – like the popular “Pooches of Gooches Beach”.
The 2nd Friday Art Walk of The Kennebunks is a self-guided fun, free event in June, July, August and September. Thes special Friday evenings 5-7pm you are invited to stroll Kennebunk’s Main Street visiting diverse galleries, shops and pop-up at local banks, the Waterhouse Center, Brick Store Museum, with live music, food trucks, open doors, to encourage browsing and socializing among art lovers and browsers. After all, art is a conversation piece.
Where to see the best art galleries and studios in Kennebunk & Kennebunkport…
Just a few of the galleries located in Kennebunk’s Lower Village include, Morph, Blue Whale Trading Company, Sue Rioux Designs (the queen of kaleidoscopes), Of The Sea and Sea Light Candle Co, and River Tree Arts which all offer unique displays, ever-changing treasures, to round out the village’s art offerings.
Just across the bridge in Kennebunkport a few of our favorite art galleries and shops in the Dock Square area include boutiques like Compliments, The Stadium Gallery, Home Ingredients, Minka and Abacus – they all display fantastic Maine made crafts, home goods, sculptures, carvings, jewelry, photography, and artwork.
Spring Street near Kenenbunkport’s historic Post Office and iconic South Church you will discover Brad Maushart’s F-8 Gallery. Up on Maine Street discover Home and Away Gallery near Graves Memorial Library.
Stroll down Ocean Avenue from Dock Square and discover The Port Gallery, Rusty Fly Gallery, True North Gallery, Landmark Gallery, and The W. Robert Payne Gallery to name a few. Grab a Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream and then unearth “The Hut” with original jewelry from Devon Dowd Designs.
Venture further down Ocean Ave toward Walkers Point and in the Breakwater Inn & Spa building you will come upon The Scott Bundy Gallery, and amazing Photography at Chris Becker Gallery.
Further afield discover the scenic hamlet of Cape Porpoise and be inspired by this classic Maine fishing village and Charlie Wright’s “The Wright Gallery” on Pier Road.
Up on Main Street in downtown Kennebunk, you will find more art collections at The Brick Store Museum, Kennebunk Free Library, and other galleries and studios. Take a road trip out to the countryside to Lyman to see the whimsical fun work of Wade Zahares.
Whether you are in search of unique paintings of lobster boats, ocean scapes, or locally sourced home made jewelry with sea glass, lobster cuffs, or a gorgeous kaleidoscope, you will find it all in Kennebunks’ art community, and you will have fun while searching and seeing what creative talent is launched in this seafaring town.
If you are into musical arts, check out the Performing Arts the Kennebunks at the local summer concert venue – Vinegar Hill Music Theatre.
All this art browsing, viewing and shopping builds an appetite for something from the sea, and perhaps a quenching craft cocktail by the sea. So be sure your art destination vacation includes time for a delicious cup of chowder – lobster or clam – your choice, a Maine lobster roll, and a cocktail at one of the waterfront bars and restaurants.
While Kennebunkport may have been put in the spotlight as the “summer White House” to Presidents’ Bush, it’s the vibrant art community that has really brushed up this seaside haven in recent years. Visit any time, Kennebunkport is a four season art community, with frequent craft shows and art shows in addition to the Art Trail of the Kennebunks and galleries open year round.
See where to stay during your Kennebunk ART vacation, choose from a romantic property right on the beach at Seaside Inn, the historic Nonantum Resort on the river, or the always affordable Rhumb Line Resort (allowing you more $ to purchase art).
