AUGUSTA — The Harlow Gallery in partnership with the Kennebec Land Trust will present an ongoing series of guided hikes and other events designed to provide artists with access to Howard Hill in support of the ongoing call for art in celebration of the KLT’s pending acquisition of the property.

Howard Hill consists of 164 wooded acres that serve as the scenic forested backdrop for Maine’s State Capitol, and conservation of the property is part of KLT’s 25th Anniversary “Conservation Across Generations” campaign. Artists are invited to create art depicting or inspired by the Howard Hill property environs, history and views from or including the hill, for an art exhibition to take place in October.

For more information, visit: http://harlowgallery.org/howard-hill/.

Registration in advance is required for all hikes on the Howard Hill property. Until KLT’s acquisition of Howard Hill is completed in the fall of 2015, the property remains in private hands and is not open for public use. The current landowner has granted KLT permission to host a limited number of guided visits to help build the support necessary to successfully complete this important conservation initiative.

To register, call 207-622-3813 or email kvaa@harlowgallery.org. The modest fee benefits the Howard Hill Project.

Howard Hill Artist Outings Series:

Kennedy Brook hike led by Brian Kent

Saturday, June 14 – at 2 p.m. — rain date June 21 at 2 p.m.

Fee: $10 supports the Howard Hill Purchase – pre-registration required

Easy-to-moderate hike, estimated up to 90 minutes. We will meet at 2 p.m. at the west entry to the State Office Building, in the parking lot, facing Sewall Street and amble up the old Ganneston Park carriage road before descending down a steep ridge into the Kennedy Brook flood plain. The brook meanders through mature hard and softwood forest between a steep-sided valley. This is a shaded, “secret” spot within a stone’s throw of the Capitol. The stream, forest and landforms all make for interesting artistic expression. The group will make some strategic stops to sketch and take photographs. Come prepared with bug repellent (tick warning!) good walking shoes and drinking water, as well as sketchbook or camera. Questions? Call 207-242-6278.

Plein air painting at Kennedy Brook led by Judith Schuppien and Brian Kent

Saturday , July 12 — 9 a.m., rain date July 13

Fee: $20 supports the Howard Hill Purchase — maximum 16, pre-registration required.

We will meet at 9 a.m. at the west entry to the State Office Building, in the parking lot, facing Sewall Street, to consolidate painting gear and then carpool up the old Ganneston Park carriage road (there is room for a few cars at the entrance), then hike in to paint or sketch scenic spots along the old carriage road including views of Kennedy Brook. Artists can take a short walk to the stream overlook or go further to clamber down to the stream valley. Session will end with a show-and-tell session at noon. Bring art supplies for your medium, easel, stool or chair, water, snack or lunch, sun hat, sunscreen and insect repellent. Ticks possible though we will be in shaded woods.

Hike 2 Howard Hill Overlook led by Brian Kent

Saturday July 26 at 10 a.m. — rain date August 2 at 10 a.m.

Fee: $10 supports the Howard Hill Purchase — pre-registration required.

Easy hike, estimated time 90 minutes total. We will meet at 10 a.m. at the end of Ganneston Drive off Capital Street, across from the Shell Station (park on the west side of Ganneston Drive and don’t block a driveway), and take an easy 10-minute hike to the site of Gannett’s two-story treehouse. It is long gone, but the site provides glimpses of the State House, and distant views. A feature is the huge moss-covered boulders, and tall pines, hemlocks and oaks. The trail to the cliff is through a young beech forest. The group will make some strategic stops to sketch and take photographs. Questions? Call 207-242-6278.

PLUS — Birds Eye of Howard Hill Photography Session led by Matt Silverman

Saturday, August 2, 10 a.m. at the Old MaineGeneral Hospital building

Fee: $10 supports the Howard Hill Purchase — pre-registration recommended.

The former MaineGeneral hospital building is at 6 East Chestnut Street. Park in the courtyard lot beyond the main entrance to the old hospital Meet in the parking lot and to be escorted to the fifth floor, where large windows provide a beautiful view of the Maine State Capitol building with Howard Hill as backdrop. Bring your telephoto lenses. Thanks to Dirigo Capital Advisors LLC and Augusta East for allowing use of the building.

Additional publicly accessible viewpoints for painting or photographing Howard Hill:

Hallowell Cemetery, on State Street

End of Kennedy Road on the east side of the river near the Augusta/Chelsea town line

Hospital Street on state land across from Rite Aid

In front of the old AMHI building on the river side, near the gazebo.

The Howard Hill benefit art exhibition will be on view Oct. 12-Nov. 1, at 167 Water Street in Hallowell. Deadline to submit work for the show via email is Sept. 1, at 11 p.m. For complete details, visit http://harlowgallery.org/howard-hill/.

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