Nettie Ricker Art Gallery

There has been an art gallery in the Maine State Building since it was re-assembled on the grounds of the historic Poland Spring Resort. Even in Chicago the building had some spectacular art pieces by some well-known artists of the day including Scott Leighton and Harriston Bird Brown.

Beginning in 1895, the Poland Spring Art Gallery housed some of the finest artists and for a mere hotel art gallery commanded a great deal of respect and was a sought after venue for many artists. Some of the artists included Walter Dean, D.D. Coombs. JAS Monks, Abbott Graves, Leon Dabo, Charles H. Woodbury and Nettie Ricker.

The director of the gallery was the youngest daughter of Hiram and Janette Ricker, Miss Nettie Ricker. Nettie traveled the country and the world in search of artists willing to exhibit in the gallery. Annual art exhibits were held for several decades under the leadership of Miss Nettie.

In 2003, the Preservation Society reopened the art gallery as one of the components of its museum. We are most interested in exhibiting local and regional artists of many different mediums including acrylic, oil, and water color painting, photography and three-dimensional art. Past artists include: Mercedes Gastonguay, Gene Fuller, Katherine Roehnert, Bill Guptill, Michael Ranucci, Dominick Ranucci, and many others including current artists, Maya Michaud and Blake’s Coastal Creations. We are happy to feature quilts on display annually from the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild of Gorham Maine.

We are also happy to host local student art shows as we want to support the growth of the arts in our community. If you would like more information on exhibiting in the gallery, please contact us!