About the Exhibition: SPEEDWELL Contemporary is thrilled to present a selection of works that span much of Hildreth’s storied and extensive career. Deep gestural large scale paintings dive into the depths of our consciousness, a poetic collection of Hildreth’s mixed media Night Writing series build narrative and early self portraits and an installation of figurative sketches anchor Hildreth’s innate ability to weave together various disciplines.

This exhibition is presented as part of the multi-venue retrospective of Hildreth’s work that includes exhibitions and events at New Era Gallery (Vinalhaven) and CMCA (Rockland), The Portland Public Library (Portland) and The Portland Museum of Art (Portland).

The overlapping exhibitions and programs will highlight Hildreth's remarkable career and artistic contributions spanning over 50 years. Each venue will exhibit work from a different period in Hildreth's career, illuminating the many facets of her complex multidisciplinary practice and showcasing her remarkable career and artistic contributions. In addition to initiating the multi-venue retrospective, SPEEDWELL Contemporary is producing a short documentary film and a comprehensive catalog to mark the occasion of Hildreth’s 50-year career. The documentary film will be screened at the Portland Museum of Art on Friday, October 13.

About the Alison Hildreth:

After graduating from Vassar College with a B.A. in Art History, Alison Hildreth worked in New York and went to night school at the Art Students League and the National Academy of Art. She moved to Maine and continued her studies in Studio Art graduating from the Maine College of Art in 1976. Since that time Alison has had several studios in Portland and now is located at the Bakery Studios at 61 Pleasant Street. Her prolific practice includes mixed media drawing, painting, printmaking, and installation work. While she incorporates ideas from research in cartography, astronomy, environmental studies, history, and philosophy into her work—many of her ideas come from walking and daydreaming.

Alison taught as a non-resident studio instructor for MFA programs at MECA, Vermont College, and Lesley College in Boston and as part of the Continuing Studies Program at MECA. She has received honorary degrees from MECA and IDSVA.

She has been a member of Portland Public Art Committee and currently sits on the committee re-envisioning Congress Square Park with selected sculptures by artist Sarah Sze. She is the co-owner and operator of the Bakery studio building, which houses over a dozen individual artists and Peregrine Press.

Alison has exhibited in the United States and abroad. Her work is included in many permanent collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of art, the Brooklyn Museum, the Farnsworth Art Museum and the New York, Boston and Portland Public Libraries.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 10, 2023

ALISON HILDRETH: 50 YEARS

Celebrating Renowned Maine artist Alison Hildreth with Exhibitions throughout the State

Portland, ME – Renowned Maine artist Alison Hildreth will be honored this summer and fall with a series of exhibitions held across the state at the New Era Gallery on Vinalhaven Island, SPEEDWELL Contemporary in Portland, the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockland, and the Portland Public Library. The overlapping exhibitions and programs will highlight Hildreth's remarkable career and artistic contributions spanning over 50 years. Each venue will exhibit work from a different period in Hildreth's career, illuminating the many facets of her complex multidisciplinary practice and showcasing her remarkable career and artistic contributions. In addition to initiating the multi-venue retrospective, SPEEDWELL Contemporary is producing a short documentary film and a comprehensive catalog to mark the occasion of Hildreth’s 50-year career. The documentary film will be screened at the Portland Museum of Art on Friday, October 13.

With a diverse range of mediums including drawing, painting, printmaking, installation, and sculpture, and an innate ability to weave together various disciplines, Hildreth's works captivate audiences with their thought-provoking themes and artistic brilliance. Inspired by a diverse range of subjects, including geography, cartography, astronomy, environmental studies, history, philosophy, and literature, Hildreth's art invites viewers to explore new realms of imagination. Her creative process often begins with walking and daydreaming, allowing her to translate her surroundings and thoughts into visually striking pieces.

“SPEEDWELL Contemporary is thrilled to be partnering with so many incredible venues and institutions to celebrate the work and legacy of Alison Hildreth," said Phoebe Cole, Managing Director, SPEEDWELL Contemporary. "As an organization whose mission is rooted in promoting the creative work of women who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to their artistic practice, we see Alison Hildreth as the perfect embodiment of that artistic spirit and dedication.”

"Alison Hildreth's remarkable career spanning more than 50 years has left an indelible mark on the arts community in Maine, and we are honored to celebrate her continuing legacy with the premiere of new bodies of work created by Alison in our Bruce Brown Gallery that will invite viewers on a journey of imagination and exploration,” said Tim Peterson, Director of the Center for Maine Contemporary Art.

“New Era Gallery is delighted to show a group of prints and small drawings as a part of SPEEDWELL Contemporary’s honoring of the long and amazing career of one of Maine’s most well-known and revered artists," said Elaine Austin Crossman, owner of New Era Gallery.

ABOUT Alison Hildreth

Alison Hildreth embarked on her artistic journey after earning a B.A. in Art History from Vassar College. While in New York, she attended night school at the Art Students League and the National Academy of Art. Later, Hildreth relocated to Maine, where she continued her artistic pursuits and graduated from the Maine College of Art and Design in 1976. She has since established herself as a prominent figure in the art community, with her practice encompassing mixed media drawing, painting, printmaking, and installation work.

In addition to her artistic endeavors, Alison Hildreth has also made significant contributions to art education. She has taught as a non-resident studio instructor for MFA programs at Maine College of Art & Design, Vermont College, and Lesley College in Boston. Hildreth has also been involved in various public art initiatives, serving as a member of the Portland Public Art Committee and participating in the re-envisioning of Congress Square as a public space for the city. Notably, she currently sits on the committee responsible for selecting Sarah Sze to create a work for the park. Furthermore, Hildreth is a partner with Katarina Weslien in owning and running the Bakery Studios. She has received honorary degrees from the Maine College of Art and Design and the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts, acknowledging her significant contributions to the arts.

Alison Hildreth's exceptional artwork has been exhibited both in the United States and internationally. Her pieces are proudly displayed in numerous prestigious permanent collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, Farnsworth Art Museum, Portland Museum of Art, and the New York, Boston, and Portland Public Libraries.

ALISON HILDRETH: 50 YEARS Exhibition schedule includes:

New Era Gallery, Late Summer, featuring Alison Hildreth

Vinalhaven (August 12 – September 20)

Opening Reception: Saturday, August 12, 5 - 7 pm

SPEEDWELL Contemporary, ALISON HILDRETH: 50 YEARS

Portland (September 22 - February 23)

Opening Reception: Friday, September 22, 5 - 7 pm

Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Alison Hildreth: Darkness Visible

Rockland (September 30, 2023 - May 6, 2024)

Opening Reception: Saturday, September 30, 3 - 5 pm

Portland Public Library Downtown, Alison Hildreth: The Feathered Hand

Portland (Permanent Public Installation)

Hildreth will be participating in a series of artist talks and panel discussions, offering audiences an opportunity to gain deeper insights into her creative process and inspirations. The artist talk schedule includes: