The Portland Press Herald highlights 11 art exhibitions across Maine for fall, including shows at Bates College Museum of Art, Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Center for Maine Contemporary Art, and Colby Museum of Art. Featured exhibitions include "Shelburne Thurber: Full Circle" and "Precision and Expression: American Studio Ceramics from the E. John Bullard Collection" at Bates; "Gordon Parks: Herklas Brown and Maine, 1944" and "Medieval Art from the Wyvern Collection" at Bowdoin; the CMCA 2025 Biennial with 29 selected artists; and "Gertrude Abercombie: The Whole World Is a Mystery" and "Is anything the matter? Drawings by Laylah Ali" at Colby.
This roundup matters because it provides a comprehensive guide to significant visual art offerings in Maine this season, showcasing both nationally touring exhibitions and local talent. The diversity of media—from photography and ceramics to medieval art and contemporary biennial works—reflects the state's vibrant cultural landscape and offers audiences access to historically important artists like Gordon Parks and Gertrude Abercombie, as well as emerging voices.