group show in Kittery is an exploration

An eclectic and earthy show is right at home at the Kittery Art Association’s clean but creaky gallery near the ocean in Kittery Point, Maine, where the exposed beams make it feel like a white-washed barn.

But this group show is an exploration of near and far. “Salt of the Earth” exhibits the work of Elizabeth Stewart, Steve Carrigan, Noah McCormick, Dean Diggins and Anastasia Maertens through May 24.

A few members of the diversely talented group are connected in the world outside of the association. Stewart is engaged to Carrigan and the two of them sang Irish folk music at the opening reception on May 3, which featured local band Toad in the Road. McCormick is her son and he is exhibiting paintings in the same room as she on the second story.   

Stewart’s distinct style is strong in this series, which has been dubbed “Salty Dogs” as a sendoff to the season when dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach until June 15. There are also smaller, square cat portraits named after the pets, like “Lucy” and “Colby,” exuding personality.
Many of Stewart’s animal portraits are commissions and she has included a portfolio of their photographs, so viewers can see the creative transformation. She fills the paintings with traditional Celtic patterns in harmonious swirls of similarly toned colors. She explores the connection between people and their pets with these oil paintings on canvas or board panels.

Carrigan also incorporated dogs into the mixed media sculptures he has on display. These large, mounted pieces have sculpted glass dog heads. With necks of huge steel springs, the dogs each have part of a ripped canvas in their mouths in a piece called “Equality.”  In “Potential,” the dog has a thick rope, as though playing tug of war through a system of pulleys. Though there is still strong movement and hard objects, “Potential” feels less violent and more playful. Both are quietly complex and ruggedly handsome, like the proverbial cowboy. Unfortunately, only two of his sculptures are on display, but there are also clay models of potential projects.

McCormick paints portraits of Native Americans and historical looking figures in black and white with ink and oil on wood panels. This collection feels as old as the Appalachian Mountains, painted with understated skill, as if drawn in coal on scrap lumber. In the style of line drawings, the short brush strokes become precisely unified from a distance.

The 16 ink illustrations by Diggins are part of a larger performance with music, dance and storytelling titled “Oliver Z. Wanderkook Moves Through New Worlds.” The traveler encounters new places and people in a trippy, fantastical exploration, which was performed recently at the gallery with several contributors.  

There are also examples from two series by Maertens, “Scroll” and “Bag,” on display. The three-dimensional mixed media works, which include paper decorated with paint, jewels and tassels, are mounted in shadow box frames. They look like they belong to tribal royalty or expensive souvenirs from long ago travels by sea to spicy lands.      

The Kittery Art Association gallery is located at 8 Coleman Ave., off Route 103 in Kittery Point, Maine, 207-451-9384.