Farewell to Aarhus

Åarhus’ remaining partners, from left, Richard Mann, Willy Reddick, Wes Reddick and Mark Kelly. (Photo by Alan Crichton)

Åarhus’ remaining partners, from left, Richard Mann, Willy Reddick, Wes Reddick and Mark Kelly. (Photo by Alan Crichton)

For the remaining partners, there is hope that Åarhus has spurred on the next cooperative gallery

BELFAST — Åarhus Gallery in downtown Belfast, for seven years, has been the place to gather during Friday Night Art walks. Its white walls and beautiful tall windows front right onto lower Main Street. Its huge, blue-grey swing hangs from the 12-foot-ceiling to just millimeters above the funky, scarred wooden floors. The exhibits change monthly with some of the best artwork in Maine. This is the Åarhus so many have known and loved.

Read the full interview by Al Crichton in the Pen Bay Pilot

Artists Richard Mann, Willy Reddick and Wes Reddick, three of the four partners in Aarhus Gallery, were getting ready Thursday for the gallery's final event -- a farewell party put on by the community as a way to say thank you for the seven years of art and events. (photo by Abigail Curtis)

Artists Richard Mann, Willy Reddick and Wes Reddick, three of the four partners in Aarhus Gallery, were getting ready Thursday for the gallery’s final event — a farewell party put on by the community as a way to say thank you for the seven years of art and events. (photo by Abigail Curtis)

‘Into the Black’: Final event for Belfast gallery a farewell celebration

BELFAST, Maine — One hundred and fifty colorful posters march around the tall white walls of the Aarhus Gallery in downtown Belfast, each bringing up memories of a different show, concert, play or event that took place there in the last seven years.

On Friday, Jan. 9, the doors will reopen for the very last event there — a special farewell party called “Into the Black” intended to celebrate the artists who have owned and run the gallery and ideally lessen their financial burden as they close it down.

“The hard truth is that despite our efforts, our wine and cheese, our pristine walls, the artists’ terrific work and your patronage, sales have not been energetic enough to keep us afloat,” a sign posted in the gallery’s window reads. “Alas, we must go!”

Read the full story by Abigail Curtis in the Bangor Daily News

With Heavy Hearts We Make this Announcement

Dear Friends,

You may have heard murmurings regarding the future of Åarhus. As you can imagine, Åarhus has been a labor of love for us for these seven years. We have met so many talented artists and have had the great privilege of mounting over 70 exhibitions and handling outstanding work from a diverse range of disciplines from this remarkable and expansive creative community. The hard truth is that despite our efforts, our wine and cheese, our pristine walls, the artists’ terrific work, and your patronage, sales have not been energetic enough to keep us afloat. Ålas, we must go! Åarhus Gallery will be shutting its doors at the end of the year. We are full of gratitude for our beloved community of Belfast, and our many dear friends beyond, for the enthusiasm and appreciation you all showed for what we were attempting here.

We chose a less commercial route through the gallery business, but we were only ever pursuing a conception, of art in place, a place on Main Street in Belfast. We realized our vision with the help of you all. Thank you.

Regards,
The Åarhusians (Mark, Richard, Wes and Willy)

Into The Black Party at Aarhus

Friday, January 9th 2015 from 5 to 9 pm
Friends of Aarhus will be holding one last party at the Gallery as a fitting send off for over seven great years of art in Belfast.

For more details check the Into The Black facebook page.

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Maine Craft Weekend

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Åarhus Gallery, Åarhus partner Willy Reddick and other Waldo County artists are pleased to be participating in Maine Craft Weekend (MCW), a statewide tour of Maine craft studios, breweries, businesses and events, an opportunity for the public to explore the life and work of craft artists and craft brewers in Maine. MCW is a public, educational, community orientated, family friendly weekend October 11 and 12, 2014. MCW is scheduled in conjunction with American Craft Week, a nationwide event promoting craft events each October. Modeled after Maine Maple Sunday and Buy Local Saturday, this self-guided tour features participants all over the state who are not regularly open to the public or who have planned special MCW events and demonstrations at their locations. Plan a route to include a pottery wheel lesson and a glass blowing demonstration in the morning, swing by a brew pub for lunch, wrap up the day perusing a craft show and start all over again on Sunday!

Other participants in Waldo County include: Marshall Wharf Brewing Co., Mainely Pottery, Lupine Cottage, Mary Trotochaud, David Jacobson, Dawnella Sutton, Jim Crampton, James MacDonald, Andrew’s Brewing Co., Penobscot Bay Brewing Co. Please visit www.MaineCrafts.org to learn about participants and events and use the interactive MCW map to plan your route!

Maine Craft Weekend is produced by The Maine Crafts Association with Event Partner, the Maine Brewer’s Guild, and Organizational Partner, The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development’s Maine Made Program. These statewide organizations have successfully branded and promoted quality Maine Craft, Maine products, and craft beer, respectively; Maine Craft Weekend invites the public into these dynamic studios and businesses to see the magic behind the products they produce.

Willy Reddick in group show at Harlow Gallery

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The Kennebec Valley Art Association is pleased to announce its first exhibition of 2013 at the Harlow Gallery. On view January 18 to February 9, 2013, ingrained presents the work of five Maine printmakers: Martha Briana of Northport, Anthony Kulik of Belfast, Donna Parkinson of Freeport, Willy Reddick of Belfast and Sarah Vosmus of Bowdoinham.

Meet the artists at an opening reception on Friday, January 18 from 5-8 pm.

Pervaded by the powerful presence of the Maine forest, the Harlow Gallery’s ingrained brings together five printmakers working in uniquely different styles and processes. Whether physically carving into the grain for a woodcut or collecting samples and sketches, the artists are working in connection to the woods. The prints exhibited speak to the breadth, methods and personalities of individual artists working in the printmaking medium, ranging from traditional to experimental. This exhibit goes from intricate and detailed to the boldly abstracted patterns and colors; to intimate wall-hung works to space commanding ceiling hung works and three-dimensional constructions. The Harlow is excited to bring together these artists in a compelling and vibrant exhibit of contemporary printmakers in the still months of winter, connecting viewers to what it means to be “ingrained”.

Willy Reddick Selected for MCA Biennial

January 20, 2012

Lover’s Eye #13 Princess Diana, miniature acrylic painting on paper, brass, tin, 2.25″x 1.75″

Five of Willy Reddick’s Lover’s Eye Brooches have been selected for The Inspired Hand V, a state-wide biennial juried exhibition of work by members of the Maine Crafts Association held at the USM Lewiston-Auburn Atrium Art Gallery. The exhibition which runs from January 20 through March 16, 2012 will display work by 35 artists from around the state representing the best of MCA members in an inspired perspective of contemporary crafts in the state. The exhibition includes work in all media — ceramic, fiber, glass, metal, wood, and stone. In addition, the work of 6 recipients of the Master Craft Artist Award will also be featured.