READFIELD — “Local Artists Lost with Time” will be presented by Dale Potter-Clark in a program at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, at Maranacook Adult & Community Education. Snow date is March 22.

“This immediate area has produced many, many artists with various talents,” said Potter-Clark, “who have long disappeared from our memories.” Her slide show will include photos and information about more than a dozen of them, including artist and author Wallace Nutting of Manchester; Robert Vance of Readfield, who was one of the earliest daguerreotypists in the U.S.; sculptor Ellsworth Crosby of Wayne; and Klir Beck of Mt. Vernon, artist and creator of the dioramas at the Maine State Capital.

Potter-Clark will also discuss Moses Eaton, stenciler; Rufus Porter and his nephew, Jonathan Poor, muralists; T.J. Richardson, artist; Samuel McNear, silversmith; Joseph Cummings Chase, artist, author; Franklin Richardson, violin maker; Mary Neal Richardson, artist; Henry Harris, musician; Donnell Webb, illustrator, author; Annie Hamilton Donnell, author; Helen Caldwell Cushman, storyteller, radio personality; Erskine Caldwell, author; Robert Bishop, professional dancer, folk art expert; Olive Bishop Smith, folk artist.

A display will be set up to view actual examples of some paintings, books and artistic creations done by those local artisans, and participants are encouraged to bring their own examples to share as well.

Registration fee is $12.50. To register, contact Maranacook Adult and Community Education at 207-685-4923, ext. 1065, or online using a debit or credit card at maranacook.maineadulted.org. FMI on other historical presentations, visit www.readfieldhistorywalks.blogspot.com or call Potter-Clark at 207-441-9184.

Theodore J. Richardson was born in Readfield in 1855. He was a pioneer artist in Alaska, starting in 1884. Richardson is one of many local authors and artisans from the past who will be discussed in a presentation in Readfield on March 21. (Photo courtesy of Readfield Historical Society)

Copy the Story Link