Beauty by the Sea

Ogunquit's Artistic place in Maine

Ogunquit has lured artists since 1888. In 1888 Charles Woodbury stubled upon a quaint cove named "Perkins Cove". Charles stumbled upon the "Cove" when it was only a fisherman's small inlet. He dubbed it the artists paradise and by the end of the century Perkins Cove had become a well established art colony.

Throughout the 20th century the reputation continued and the "Cove" prospered from the artists coming to see the beautiful Maine rocky coast. Many of America's famous artists visited or even summered in Ogunquit. Some to name a few are: Hamilton Easter Field, Henry Strater, Pegy Bacon, and the famous Walt Kuhn.
In 1952 Henry slater founded the Ogunquit Museum of American Art just above another inlet called Narrow Cove. The Museum has been nicknamed "the most beautiful small museum in the world". The indoor exhibits vary as artists show thier works during different exhibits. Many show reflections of emotions that are inspired by the beauty of the local Ogunquit scenery. From the cliffs above Narrow Cove, just steps from the entrance of the museum, one can view the outdoor exhibits of past and present artisits.

In 1928 Charles Woodbury and Henry Slater founded the Ogunquit Art Association with other artists. The association holds auctions and run colorful galleries to show the work of the local artists.

Additionally Ogunquit has many private galleries in addition to the above mentioned gallery. Please feel free to visit one and/or all. Here are just a few art galleries in Ogunquit. Ogunquit has also been blessed with some great performing arts as well. During summer visits Walter Hatwig thought that the area was ideal for a permenant playhouse. In 1933 the Ogunquit playhouse was established (now known as the Ogunquit Square Movie Theatre).

The playhouse was so successful it outgrew it's small location and in 1937 the new Ogunquit playhouse was opened. The Ogunquit playhouse was so successful many top rated stars preformed in the playhouse. Frolicing in the surf during the day and acting during the evening.

In 1950 John Lane came to town as an actor and when Walter Hartwig's wife Maude retired purchased the playhouse. To this day the Ogunquit playhouse is still known as "John Lane's Ogunquit Playhouse".

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