Pandemic Art Show | Aug 3-14th at NE Harbor ME

Smart Studio, Main St, Northeast Harbor is hosting a group art show August 3rd-14th, featuring over twenty artists works created during this pandemic.

Some artists have painted serene landscapes or still lives to quiet their minds through these trying times, other artists have painted the virus itself! This mixed media show includes photography, sculpture, and paint in all media. Many artists have lost their venues this summer and Smart Studio hopes to offer them some relief through sales.

The show will hang for two weeks and also be rotated in the windows on Main Street so all of the art can be viewed from outside. A reception is planned for Thursday August 6th from 5-7pm outside of the gallery. Masks are required and social distancing will be practiced.

The gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 11-4. Or by appointment, For more information call 276-5152

“Village” Dedication for Wini Smart on Great Cranberry Island, ME

Out on Great Cranberry Island, Maine, where artist Wini Smart lived and painted there is a new “village” being dedicated on July 27th from 1-3pm. On the grounds of the Historical Society’s Museum, three buildings have been restored from parts of Wini’s house, saved before it was all demolished!

The main building, pictured below is now being used as a gift shop, the second building, which was Wini’s painting shed is now being used to teach art to children. The other shed is being utilized for storage. In front of the village is a memorial bench dedicated to Wini. The bench holds a story.

Smart Studio, her former gallery in Northeast Harbor is donating one of Wini’s original paintings as a raffle to help raise money for landscaping and other repairs still needed at the village. You can get your chance at the gallery, 137 Main St., Northeast Harbor, or on Facebook. Drawing to be held on the dedication day. Call 207-276-5152 for more information.

Restored building from Wini’s house on Great Cranberry Island to be used as a gift shop.

Memorial Bench for Wini Smart, Painting Shed in the background

Wini Smart original painting up for raffle!!

Wini Smart 1932-2017

It is with great sadness we must pass on the news that our favorite artist, Wini Smart, has gone on to the most beautiful painting trip imaginable.

WINIFRED (WINI) SMART QUACKENBUSH
ELLSWORTH –
Wini passed peacefully at the age of 85 surrounded by her loving family after a long illness. She graduated from Pt. Pleasant Beach High School, NJ and attended the Philadelphia College of Art and the Art Students League of New York City. Her paintings are in private and public collections in nearly every state and in Europe, Canada, and South America.She generously donated much of her art work to many charities. Wini founded Smart Studio Art Gallery in Northeast Harbor in 1967 and the Smart Studio Gallery in Boca Grande, Florida in 1982. She helped establish and was President of Freehold Art Society of NJ and Boca Grande Art Alliance of Florida.

In 1984, Wini moved to Great Cranberry Island and co founded the Great Cranberry Island Historical Society’s museum. She served as president for many years and was dedicated to preserving the island’s history writing many publications. She has written several books including her autobiography “A Long Long Way”.” She painted eight historical murals depicting the Revolutionary War which are on display in NJ.

She and her husband Fredrick founded a mission in the Dominican Republic called “Real Kids in Need”. She is predeceased by her parents Lewis and Belle Smart, her brother Nicholas, sister Louise, son Charles, two grandchildren Ruth and Sean. Wini is survived by her husband Fredrick R. Quackenbush, children Deborah Martinez, Diane Polky, John Diehl, and Gail Cleveland-Waite, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.

She was a member of the Lighthouse United Methodist Church of Boca Grande, FL and an associate member of the Cranberry Island Community Church. A memorial service is planned at Southwest Harbor Congregational Church, 29 High Road. Wednesday September 20th at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to help support the mission that Wini loved so much: “Real Kids in Need”, in care of Your Missionary Outreach, PO Box 1761, Columbia, SC 29202

Smart Studio Celebrates 50 Years!

Come visit from July 1-30 at the Northeast Harbor Library

Business was different 50 years ago when Smart Studio opened in Northeast Harbor. “We opened from nine am to noon during the week, as there were very few tourists back then” according to founder Wini Smart. Business was brisk for the artist as the summer folk shopped in town to collect their newspaper and groceries. Afternoons were devoted to painting on location to replenish the gallery, five children in tow. “Mom would take us to her favorite painting spots around MDI, she would paint and we would picnic, explore, fish, and play” daughter Gail Cleveland remembers.

Fast forward 50 years to today and one would see some changes at the gallery. Back in 1967 watercolors were hung on fish net and sold for a few dollars. Today the gallery offers much larger works, in oil and watercolor, limited edition prints and cards, gifts, antiques and custom framing. Still offered are the small intimate watercolors painted on location by Wini and Gail.

To celebrate the milestone the gallery is hosting a retrospective show at the Northeast Harbor Library for the month of July. Works on display will include loaned paintings from collectors. There will be a reception for the public on July 20th from 5-7 in the Melon room at the library. The show will be available to view from July 1-30th. Please call the gallery at 276-5152 for more information.

Sample Historical Artwork that will be seen at the display:

New Original Artwork of Maine by Gail Cleveland

A variety new original artwork by Gail Cleveland has been added to Smart-studio.com. Scroll down to view new additions or Click here to see ALL available original artwork by Gail. You may call or send a message here to place an order.

As you know, the Smart Studio gallery in Northeast Harbor Maine closes for the season every October.

What does that mean?

It’s SALE time at Smart Studio!

Super discounts store wide!
50% off all jewelry, all antiques, all gifts, all furniture!
Last day Oct 15th. Call 276-5152 for more information. Open 11-5 every day. Closed Sunday.