a haven for artists
Hallowell has been a cultural center since its early days, attracting artists from all over the region.
To the left, in the bow tie, is Alger V. Currier, (1862-1911) a well known Hallowell artist of the mid 19th century. His fine oil portrait of his wife, the woman in the yellow dress, can be seen today at the Hubbard Free Library in Hallowell, a building, incidentally, designed by Alexander Currier, Alger’s father.
The Currier portrait of his wife at the Hubbard library is well worth a trip to see. An fine piece of portraiture.
artist, Chris Cart
Lee Weeks
artist extraordinaire
Lee Weeks is the renowned Marvel and DC Comic artist. Weeks grew up on Lincoln Street in the center of Hallowell.
Perhaps best known for his art for the Daredevil series for Marvel, his work bringing Batman to life for DC Comics is also iconic.
Weeks has won numerous awards for his art.
Weeks is shown here as a drawing, drawing Batman.
Most people ask me, “Why is Batman in the mural?”. The simple answer? Lee Weeks, the renowned D.C. and Marvel comic artist is from Hallowell. I drew Lee, himself as a drawing, drawing Batman. I mean, how could I not include Batman?
artist, Chris Cart
Bruce Mayo
Bruce Mayo is shown here in two of his many roles or guises in town. He is a fine artist, owner of Easy Street Lounge in Hallowell and most years the leader of the Mardi Gras parade.
it is always wonderful to run into Bruce in town.
artist, Chris Cart
so many artists
Helene Farrar, a fine artist who works in encaustic was also director of the Harlow Gallery for many years. Shown painting roses.
I have Helene painting some roses, because I needed some red in that spot.
artist, Chris Cart
Mark Poirier, shown in the blue ballcap with brushes, is known for his beautiful paintings of Hallowell.
Paola Buentello, of Mexican descent, had an art gallery, shop first in Hallowell, then in Gardiner where she exhibited some of her beautiful, very personal work.
Ellen Parkman Vaughan
Ellen Parkman Vaughan, of the prominent Vaughan family in Hallowell, in the lower right, was known for her watercolors and in her youth intrepid painting trips to the wilds of Maine in a canoe with paints, an easel and a guide.
The Vaughan Homestead has many of Ellen Vaughan’s drawings and watercolors from her treks to the north woods.
artist, Chris Cart
Ray Skolfield
One beloved Hallowell artist from the 20th century was Ray Skolfield. He spent much of his later years in Hallowell drawing local people. Ray is the figure in the back presented as a drawing with his sketchpad—with one of his signature styles of simple line with snags of intense line color.
In his early days in the 1930’s Skolfield was a “New Deal” artist, one of the many WPA Project artists prior to WW2.
Ray was drawing and painting constantly, and giving his work away. I can’t count how many people I know who own one of more of Ray’s creations. I included him in the section of the mural with all the musicians because he spent so much time drawing our local bands.
artist, Chris Cart
Jen Greta Cart
Shown here in the witch costume is Jen Greta Cart. She has been painting since she moved to Hallowell in the early 1990’s. She also has been known for your many roles in Gaslight Theater.
Also, Jen launched the “Hallowell Hexen” a troupe of Hallowell “witches” who get dressed as witches to dance in the annual Hallowell Hallowe’en Parade.
artist, Chris Cart
Chris Cart
In 2023 Cart completed the 650 square foot public Hallowell mural for Hallowell, Maine. The mural was officially unveiled to much fanfare with a flag guard of the American Legion and speeches by Maine’s Governor Mills, Representative Dan Shagoury and our Mayor George Lapointe.
Cart has over dozen murals across Maine in Washington D.C. and Seattle. F
You can read a full bio here.
I added myself in the lower left, still finishing up part of the mural. There was a while with several setbacks, including COVID that I thought the mural project would go on forever. There was always more to add.
artist, Chris Cart
supporting the arts
Deb Fahy of Hallowell has been central to any and all support for artists in the Hallowell area for many decades. She was Executive Director of the Harlow Gallery for 14 years transforming it from a local art club to a gallery of note with shows reviewed by Maine’s best newspapers.
Since her time with the Harlow gallery she has moved on to spearhead the official city Arts & Cultural Committee and the creation of Vision Hallowell, our Hallowell’s 501c3 which promotes arts in our area.
Deb was key to getting the Hallowell Mural project going and keeping the fundraising alive so the artist could complete this vast project.
Deb has been no end of help to me and my career as an artist.
artist, Chris Cart
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