The History of Kittery Art Association

Writing about the history of The Kittery Art Association is like working on a collage, with nearly seven decades of storytelling and a few newspaper articles to hold it together. This history is compiled from published records and the memories of those involved. This page is a work in progress, and we are looking forward to adding more to the story* as we learn new things and incorporate them into our records. Thank you to the many people who have contributed.

*We will be delighted to hear from anyone who can contribute additional details, photographs, or insights. Please contact us if you have any information or stories to share!

~1958
The Dockside Art Group

Founded by Dr. Rudolph Tomes, Helen Eastman, and Corinne Mann at The Dockside Studio, 191 Whipple Road, Kittery, ME.

The first iteration of The Kittery Art Association was established at “The Dock Side Studio” in June 1958 when two small painting interest groups combined with the intention of fostering interest in the arts in the Seacoast area. This newly combined group put out a general invitation to artists, growing quickly into a 70 member association. Six months later, with the help of local attorney Francis Neal, who donated his time, The Kittery Art Association was incorporated.

The dramatic influx of members forced the association to look for a larger venue to accommodate their needs for art instruction and exhibitions.

The original officers of The Kittery Art Association were: Dr. Rudolph Tomes (President), Earl Washburn (Vice President), Helen Eastman (Clerk), Kenneth Peschel (Treasurer), Doria Millett (Membership). Trustees: Harriet Scott, Corinne Mann, and Ruth Hardy.

1959
The Firehouse Gallery

8 Coleman Avenue, Kittery Point, ME.

In January 1959, The Kittery Art Association purchased the old fire station at 8 Coleman Avenue in Kittery Point, ME, to serve as a meeting place and a space to exhibit artwork. This three-story cement block building had been abandoned for several years, and the town agreed to sell the building to The Kittery Art Association for $1.00. It was in desperate need of repairs and renovation. One account even details that there were the remains of a hot-rod on the third floor! The members went to work cleaning, painting, and repairing the building and in the meantime the group held meetings and possibly some exhibits at Rice Public Library. Several benefits were held to raise money for the supplies and labor.

By summer, The Kittery Art Association had begun to host meetings, artist talks, and lessons in their firehouse gallery. On August 29th and 30th, 1959, the incorporated association held their first annual exhibit in their new building. Members and non-members were invited to submit artwork. The gallery was now open to the public.

The first student art show took place in August 1966, affiliated with the Summer Cultural Program at Frisbee School in Kittery, Maine. Twelve children from the area participated, setting up their own show in the upper gallery for two weeks.

1999
The Fire

On January 2nd, 1999, a fire nearly destroyed the Firehouse Gallery. Beginning on the second floor, flames tore through to the third floor and eventually the roof. In the years leading up to the fire, the organization had entered a period of decline and only a small group of artists remained. There was a lot of work to be done, both to repair the physical building, and to reestablish the KAA as a legal organization and community of artists. Members rallied and worked to make the organization stronger than ever; including reestablishing a board of trustees, organizing committees to address programming, building restoration, fundraising, and membership.

We are grateful to the volunteers who rebuilt the organization from the ground up after the fire in 1999: Vance and Anne Morgan, Jan Lamont, Kent Allyn, Judy Andrews, Mike Gately, Dave Graf, Doug Green, Barbara Ingersoll, Paul Kolb, Guy Petty, Bud Price, Lew Roberts, Frank and Judy Totman, Aaron Henderson.

Volunteers secure the building from January 16th - February 13th, 1999. Photo courtesy of Vance Morgan.

The roof and hose tower of the gallery were destroyed. Photo courtesy of Vance Morgan.

Dave Graf, Judy Andrews, and Guy Petty "holding up the building." Photo courtesy of Vance Morgan.

Barbara Ingersoll, Judy Andrews, Guy Petty, and Judy Totman. Photo courtesy of Vance Morgan.

2001-2021

The Kittery Art Association continued to grow in their new home, where the organization remained for two decades. During this time, the KAA hosted rotating exhibits every four weeks, a full lineup of workshops, artist talks, demonstrations, live music, a poetry series, theatrical readings, youth arts programming, and more. In summertime, members participated in plein air drawing and painting outings.

In 2008, The Marcia Abigail Ryder Scholarship Fund was established in honor of a beloved Traip Academy Art Teacher, who taught for 28 years. This Scholarship was created to perpetuate Marcia’s work inspiring and encouraging young artists in Kittery.

Learn more about Marcia Ryder and the Scholarship by visiting our Scholarship Page.

The restored Kittery Art Association Firehouse Gallery at 8 Coleman Ave. in Kittery Point, ME. Photo courtesy of Vance Morgan.

Flower Garden by Judy Andrews outside of the gallery at 8 Coleman Ave. in Kittery Point. Photo courtesy of Vance Morgan.

Kittery Art Teachers install the K-12 Student Art Exhibit at the Kittery Art Association Gallery at 8 Coleman Ave., Kittery Point, ME.

Artwork by Alice Lee Timmins. Kittery Art Association's Gallery in the old firehouse at 8 Coleman Ave., Kittery Point, ME.

Judy Bryant and Kenny Gilbride hang fiber pieces by artist Carol Powley as a part of the 2014 "Tiny Treasures" exhibit. Photo via Seacoast Online.

2014-2022
Kittery Foreside Revitalization

Town Councilors at the time Matt Brock and Jeff Thomson served on this committee and advocated for a community use at the Taylor Building property that would benefit all town residents. The Council also appointed Kittery residents Jan Lamont, Roger Cole, and Barry Fitzpatrick to serve as community representatives on the committee examining options for the Taylor Building.

In seeking proposals for the Taylor Building, the Taylor Committee sought community-wide opinions for the building through surveys, info-tables set up during Kittery’s annual Block Party, and distributed a Request for Proposal (RFP) for those financially interested in purchasing the Taylor Building.

Because of the unique location of the Taylor Building in the Foreside District and due to significant interest by investors seeking to purchase the Taylor Building, it took almost three years for this committee to explore the many possibilities and make a recommendation about the building to the Town Council.

The final recommendation from the Taylor Building Committee to the Town Council was that due to the essential location of the Taylor Building in the Foreside District and for the benefit of having a community-supporting organization located in the Foreside, the Taylor Building Committee recommended that the town sell the building to a not-for-profit organization supporting the arts, culture, or other purpose that would benefit the community and would add to the vitality of the Foreside..

The Kittery Art Association spent many hours and Zoom calls (it was during COVID) weighing the merits of selling their current building on Coleman Ave and submitting a proposal to purchase the Taylor Building.

Though there were initially strong feelings about not relocating KAA—including sentimental attitudes towards the Coleman Ave. building KAA’s capacity to carry through relocating, and the expense of such an undertaking—the Board eventually was unanimous in having KAA respond to the town’s RFP for the Taylor Building.

KAA authorized Dean Gallant (then KAA President), Vance Morgan (KAA Board member) and Roger Cole (nonboard member and KAA supporter) to make the case to the town for why KAA should be the next, best occupant in the Taylor Building.

In 2021, the Town Council unanimously accepted KAA’s offer to buy the Taylor Building. The Town Council also generously accepted KAA’s request that (due to KAA’s over-50-year history of providing creative opportunities for Kittery’s students and residents, and because of KAA’s long-established charitable services to the town) the town sell the Taylor Building at its assessed value rather than the higher market evaluation. The Town Council granted selling the Taylor Building at its assessed value with the caveat that the town retain the right of first refusal should KAA ever wish to sell the building.

KAA sought the services of local realtor Ali Goodwin who assisted in selling the building on Coleman Ave. during the month of May, 2022. The building was sold at a higher figure than the listing price. KAA was fortunate to have the real estate services of Ali Goodwin and appreciates the discounted fee rate she charged the Art Association.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Jan Lamont, Brian Rodonets, Vance Morgan, Roger Cole, and Dean Gallant, who negotiated tirelessly to secure the Taylor Building as the new home of the Kittery Art Association.

The Taylor Building. Photograph via Seacoast Online.

Our first show at 2 Walker Street, "The Road Less Traveled"

Renovations to our gallery at 2 Walker Street.

2022-Present
The Taylor Building
2 Walker Street, Kittery, ME

Our first exhibit in our new home opened on June 16th, 2022. The exhibit A Road Less Traveled featured works by 85 members and large scale, vibrant abstract paintings by Spotlight Artist Tim Gilbert. This was a time of transition and self discovery for the KAA.

The Kittery Art Association now hosts eleven rotating exhibits each year, which feature the work of ~300 members. Our lower level studio space is now home to The Kittery Art Association Art Hub, where instructors teach workshops, art classes, and demos. The small garden outside hosts 3D installations year round.

Thank you to Jan Lamont and Brian Rodonets for their expertise, and their design / renovation to transform the Taylor Building into the community gallery and Art Hub that it is now.

The Kittery Art Association would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all of the artists who have contributed their time and energy to keeping the arts alive in our community, and have helped to sustain our organization and our mission.

We invite anyone who is interested in exhibiting or supporting the arts to join us.