Rockland, ME, May 15, 2020 – The Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockland has announced the launch of its second [ON]now virtual exhibition, Lush, hush. The exhibition, which features the work of 16 Maine artists, will be available for viewing on CMCA’s website (www.cmcanow.org) from May 15 through August 15, 2020. 

Lush, hush was guest curated by Donna McNeil, Executive Director of the Ellis-Beauregard Foundation, which supports the work of Maine-based artists. McNeil made her selections from more than 100 individual submissions received in response to CMCA’s open call.

Reflecting on the work in the exhibition, McNeil states: 

“Ranging from lavish and complexly layered renderings to the starkly reductive, Lush, hush puts forward the notion that these two seemingly opposing approaches can juxtapose to heighten the effect of the other. Viewed together via thumbnail, individually or as small groups randomly placed together by the alphabet to fit on a screen, the assembled body of work reads as quiet, fearless abundance. I was struck by the thoughtfulness of the submissions, the considered grace of the artist inquiry and their collective exploratory deep dive.” 

The artists included in Lush, hush are: Jenny Brillhart (Blue Hill, ME), Cole Caswell (Peaks Island, ME), Avy Claire (Blue Hill, ME), Michel Droge (Portland, ME), Lisa Kellner (Deer Isle, ME), Benjamin Lincoln (Bar Harbor, ME), Megan Magill (Brooksville, ME), Stratton McCrady (Saco, ME), Veronica Perez (Westbrook, ME), Anna Queen (Rockland, ME), Bronwyn Sale (Brunswick, ME), Gina Siepel (Greenfield, MA + Portland, ME), Nathan Stevens (Portland, ME), David Wilson (North Haven, ME), Amy Wilton (Hope, ME), Deborah Zlotsky (Delmer, NY + Camden, ME).

CMCA’s series of [ON]now virtual exhibitions present the work of Maine artists in a digital venue. The series, organized by CMCA Curatorial Assistant, Justine Kablack, launched in December 2019 with the exhibition, Simulacrush. Kablack says, “In these unconventional times it is more important than ever to go beyond the physical gallery walls to expand the possibilities of showing and viewing contemporary art.”  

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ABOUT CMCA

CMCA is a contemporary arts institution presenting year-round exhibitions, engaging events, and educational programs for all ages.

Location: 21 Winter Street, Rockland, MaineHours: November through May, Wednesday – Saturday, 10am to 5pm; Sunday, 12 to 5pm; June through October, Monday – Saturday, 10am to 5pm, Sunday, 12 to 5pm. Closed Federal holidays. Admission: $8; Seniors (65+) and students with ID $6; children under 18 free; CMCA members free. NOTE: CMCA is temporarily closed to the public in accordance with CDC guidelines; anticipated reopening July 1, 2020. 

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Images (from top): Megan Magill, portrait of an unknown woman with folds, 2018, photograph of a folded xerox copy; Jenny Brillhart, Blue Moon, 2019, Oil on panel, 29 x 40 inches; Lisa Kellner, Internal Self Portrait: Stomach, 2020, Hand painted and formed silk, thread, embroidered text,15 x 15 x 7 inches.