UNE gallery presents 'Tidal Shift' featuring works from Searsport EcoArts

An abstract painting depicts waves and weather in various shapes
"...and so below," by Margaret Cogswell, part of UNE's exhibit "Tidal Shift," now on display in Biddeford through May 20.

The University of New England Art Gallery in Biddeford is pleased to present “Tidal Shift,” a series of works from the first suite of artists-in-residence of the Searsport EcoArts Residency (SEAR), now on display through May 20. 

A celebratory reception will be held at the gallery, located in the Jack S. Ketchum Library on UNE’s oceanfront campus, on April 25 from 4 to 6 p.m., featuring an artist talk starting at 4:30 p.m.

SEAR is the first art residency in Maine that is focused on exploring ecology and provides a unique opportunity for artists to work on Sears Island in Penobscot Bay, the largest uninhabited island on the East Coast. The program is hosted by Aaron Rosen, Ph.D., co-founder of The Parsonage gallery, in collaboration with the Friends of Sears Island and the Makers Guild of Maine.

Each year, two cohorts of artists produce ecologically based, interdisciplinary work as part of the residency. “Tidal Shift” highlights the work of SEAR’s inaugural year of artists, featuring work by the spring and fall 2023 fellows, including Jasmine Chen, Tracey Cockrell, Margaret Cogswell, Justin Levesque, Haley Nannig, Julianne Nash, Susan Smith, and Matthew Vivirito.

The exhibit is being held in conversation with UNE’s School of Marine and Environmental Programs. Students from the school have offered written reflections to the artists’ work, which accompany the pieces in the exhibit.

“The students’ writing brilliantly addresses the artwork in our current exhibition through a scientific lens,” remarked Hilary Irons, director of Galleries and Exhibitions at UNE. 

“Tidal Shift” is viewable from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The Jack S. Ketchum Library is located at 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford. 

Tracey Cockrell, “Seaweed SoundGarden #4.”

The University of New England Art Gallery in Biddeford is pleased to present “Tidal Shift,” a series of works from the first suite of artists-in-residence of the Searsport EcoArts Residency (SEAR), now on display through May 20. 

A celebratory reception will be held at the gallery, located in the Jack S. Ketchum Library on UNE’s oceanfront campus, on April 25 from 4 to 6 p.m.

SEAR is the first art residency in Maine that is focused on exploring ecology and provides a unique opportunity for artists to work on Sears Island in Penobscot Bay, the largest uninhabited island on the East Coast. The program is hosted by Aaron Rosen, Ph.D., co-founder of The Parsonage gallery, in collaboration with the Friends of Sears Island and the Makers Guild of Maine.

Each year, two cohorts of artists produce ecologically based, interdisciplinary work as part of the residency. “Tidal Shift” highlights the work of SEAR’s inaugural year of artists, featuring work by the spring and fall 2023 fellows, including Jasmine Chen, Tracey Cockrell, Margaret Cogswell, Justin Levesque, Haley Nannig, Julianne Nash, Susan Smith, and Matthew Vivirito.

The exhibit is being held in conversation with UNE’s School of Marine and Environmental Programs. Students from the school have offered written reflections to the artists’ work, which accompany the pieces in the exhibit.

“The students’ writing brilliantly addresses the artwork in our current exhibition through a scientific lens,” remarked Hilary Irons, director of Galleries and Exhibitions at UNE. 

“Tidal Shift” is viewable from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The Jack S. Ketchum Library is located at 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford.