New Art Loan Program

The Georges River Land Trust is pleased to pilot a new Langlais Art Loan Program. The Loan Program, with assistance from the Wyeth Foundation for American Art, has allowed the Land Trust to prepare some of the works of Bernard “Blackie” Langlais for display and share his creative genius in the community.

The gift of the Langlais Sculpture Preserve from the Kohler Foundation in 2015 to Georges River Land Trust included Langlais’ home and studio in Cushing, as well as a dozen outdoor sculptures and many study collection works on paper, canvas, wood and masonite. As Langlais was incredibly prolific during his 10 years in Cushing, his estate included several thousand sculptures, large and small, as well as indoor paintings and drawings. Nearly 50 institutions in Maine benefited from a collaborative gift from Colby College Museum of Art and the Kohler Foundation of Langlais’ works that are identified at the Langlais Art Trail website, and can be seen in person. Many of his study collection pieces remained on the property and are now stewarded by the Georges River Land Trust, as part of the Langlais Sculpture Preserve.

The first recipient of loaned art is United Midcoast Charities. Several original paintings by Langlais now hang in their office in Camden on loan from the Langlais Sculpture Preserve. Megan Williams, Executive Director of United Midcoast Charities, is glad to help the Land Trust pilot this new program. “United Midcoast Charities is excited to partner with Georges River Land Trust – not only do we get to display beautiful works by the Maine artist Bernard Langlais, but we also get to help spread the word about the Langlais Sculpture Preserve,” says Ms. Williams.

For more information or to inquire about a loan of Langlais art, please contact Annette at (207) 594-5166.