Arts & Culture
The towns of Camden, Rockport, Rockland and Owls Head are considered Midcoast Maine’s arts and cultural hub. The numerous local and nationally renowned museums, concert series, historic buildings and lighthouses will excite and inspire you. Combine these unique and memorable experiences with a stay at 16 Bay View and you will never want to leave.
Marianne W. Smith Gallery
Marianne W. Smith is a self-taught artist who strives to express in her oil on canvas paintings the mood, warmth, and light of a scene as she sees it. Marianne W. Smith’s permanent gallery is located at the Lord Camden Inn with her work on display in our lobby, conference and dining rooms. Marianne’s permanent gallery features over fifty new works reflecting her interest in still lifes and landscapes. For more information on Marianne W. Smith, please visit her gallery website at mwsmithgallery.com.
Farnsworth Art Museum
Located a short distance south in the town of Rockland, the Farnsworth Art Museum offers a nationally recognized collection of American art in its elegantly appointed galleries. Such great names in 18th- and 19th-century American art history as Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Sully, Thomas Eakins, Eastman Johnson, Fitz Hugh Lane, Frank Benson, Childe Hassam, and Maurice Prendergast are represented in the museum’s permanent collection entitled Maine in America. For more information, visit farnsworthmuseum.org.
Center for Maine Contemporary Art
The Center for Maine Contemporary Art is expanding its mission of advancing contemporary art in Maine. “We intend to be a leading voice throughout New England and beyond in the continuing dialogue on the art of our time. We seek to provide a compelling physical platform for the presentation of work by significant artists—both well-known and emerging—connected with the state of Maine, who are part of the larger contemporary discourse.” For a schedule of upcoming exhibits, visit cmcanow.org.
Bay Chamber Concerts
Founded in 1961 by brothers Andrew and Thomas Wolf, Bay Chamber Concerts features world-renowned artists year-round. Our Summer Concert Series and Music Festival in July and August feature over 30 events that redefine the standards for chamber music. From September to June the Performing Arts Series features classical, jazz, world music and dance events in a variety of venues throughout the region. For more information and a schedule of upcoming events, visit baychamberconcerts.org.
Camden Opera House
Built in 1894, the Camden Opera House was once the tallest building in Knox County. The massive building was also home to several businesses and a businessman’s club. Today, the Camden Opera House hosts a myriad of outstanding performances year-round including the Rockport Dance Conservatory, The Atlantic Ballet, musical concerts from top name artists, and the Camden International Film Festival. For a schedule of upcoming events, visit camdenoperahouse.com.
Owls Head Transportation Museum
The Owls Head Transportation Museum has one of the finest collections of pioneer-era aircraft and automobiles in the world. More than 100 historic aircraft, automobiles, bicycles, carriages and engines are on permanent display. The Aircraft Collection contains replicas and originals representing the first century of flight. An outstanding collection of automobiles spans the late 19th Century and early 20th century, and includes the 1963 Prototype Mustang and a 1935 Stout Scarab. For more information, and a schedule of upcoming exhibits, visit owlshead.org.
Maine Lighthouse Museum
The Maine Lighthouse Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in lighthouses and American maritime history! From sparkling lenses to heartwarming stories of the keepers and families the Maine Lighthouse Museum is America’s lighthouse museum & home to the largest collection of lighthouse artifacts and mementoes. Additional exhibits highlight stories of valor while paying tribute to the United States Coast Guard and United States Life-Saving Services, while others shed light on the lady lightkeepers. For more information, visit mainelighthousemuseum.org.