ARTinME 2025: A Grand Showcase at BRAF

The Boothbay Region Art Foundation (BRAF) unveiled its annual juried ARTinME show on Saturday October 4th to a lively packed house. This year's show, juried by esteemed abstract painters David Estey and Jaap Helder, features a stunning array of large-format works and small sculptures/ceramics created by Maine artists. The exhibit will be on display until November 8th, 2025, at the BRAF Gallery, located at 1 Townsend Ave in Boothbay Harbor.

Can't make it in person, check out the ARTinME 2025 slide show.

Jurors David Estey and Jaap Helder handed out awards at the October 4th event.

“I could not get this show out of my head,” said Estey. “I just kept thinking about all this great stuff. This is a lot of terrific work.” After much suspense, jurors Estey and Helder announced the award winners during the opening reception. 

The prestigious first place award went to Helen Fellows Matthews for her piece “View,” which ingeniously combines multiple gelatin prints to depict an ocean view through a window. The jurors praised it, stating, “Any one of these could stand alone as a terrific abstract painting.” Second place was awarded to John Otterbein for his playful piece, “John’s Insect Collection,” and Laura Waller’s “OIG Giant II No. 5” secured third place. Honorable Mentions were given to Debra Claffey for “Indigo Ice with Pink,” Kate Buehner for “Cracker Jacks,” and Kristin Liv Robinson for her riveting photo collage, “Moon Over Route #3.”

First place: Helen Fellows Matthews "View." Gelatin print. 40" x 29".

Second Place: John Otterbein "John's Insect Collection," watercolor & ink, 30" x 45"

Third Place: Laura Waller, "OIG Giant II No. 5," oil, 36" x 48"

Artists from across Maine submitted over 100 works to ARTinME 2025, the only state-wide juried exhibit sponsored by BRAF. Jurors Estey and Helder expressed their admiration for the high quality of submissions and the evident enthusiasm from the artists.

Event Details: Exhibit: ARTinME 2025 Dates: October 4th - November 8th Location: Boothbay Region Art Foundation Gallery, 1 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538 Gallery Hours: Thursday - Sunday, 10 AM - 5 PM

For more information, contact the BRAF Gallery at (207) 633-2703 or email us at brafgallery@gmail.com.