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Some say summer in Maine begins on the 4th of July. On the Midcoast, the summer social calendar opened a week earlier, at the Maine in America Summer Gala, held annually at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland.
The festivities began with the Bonnie Strickman Band providing a swinging sound while a splendidly dressed throng of 300 guests mingled and enjoyed cocktails on the lawn. The evening then moved to a festively decorated dining tent where guests enjoyed a sit-down dinner by Chef Michael Gagne of Robinhood Free Meetinghouse.
During the dinner, the Maine in America Award was presented to Andrew Wyeth for his distinguished contributions to Maine and American art. Mr. Wyeth, who regretted not being able to attend, became one of the first contemporary artists to be represented in the Farnsworth Art Museum collection at the age of 27. His son James Wyeth accepted the award on behalf of his father.
An auction benefiting the Farnsworth public programs took place during dessert, featuring donated works by Will Barnet, Joly (Joellyn) Duesberry, Richard Estes, Connie Hayes, Alex Katz, Frederic R. Kellogg, William King, Emily Muir, Susan Shatter, Susan Van Campen, and William Wegman. The evening was pronounced such a smashing success, says David Stucky, the director of advancement at the Farnsworth, that next summer’s gala has already been scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2008.
