Ogunquit Museum of American Art (OMAA) is renowned for its dynamic rotating exhibitions, immersive educational programs, and a permanent collection highlighting 20th-century modernism, New England regionalists, and contemporary artists. Established in 1953 by artist Henry Strater, OMAA combines breathtaking oceanfront views with a meticulously curated selection of paintings, sculptures, and works on paper, while offering artist-led workshops, lectures, and family-friendly activities that bridge historic and modern artistic practices. The museum’s coastal gardens, dotted with monumental sculptures, further enhance its reputation as a unique fusion of art, nature, and architectural innovation.

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Ogunquit Museum of American Art (OMAA):

Modernism, Contemporary Exhibitions & Art Education

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Historical Legacy & Founding Vision

Founded by painter and philanthropist Henry Strater, OMAA emerged from the creative energy of the Ogunquit art colonies, which flourished in the early 20th century. Strater envisioned a space dedicated to preserving the legacy of American modernists and fostering new talent. The museum’s inaugural exhibition in 1953 featured works by Marsden Hartley, Walt Kuhn, and Strater himself, cementing its focus on avant-garde movements. Today, OMAA honors this legacy while expanding its scope to include contemporary voices, ensuring its relevance in a rapidly evolving art world.

Architectural Design & Natural Integration

Designed by architect Scott Simon and opened in 1989, OMAA’s modernist structure harmonizes with its coastal environment. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, while open gallery spaces feature natural light that shifts with the seasons. Key architectural elements include:

• A central courtyard with native plantings and rotating sculpture installations
• An outdoor terrace for plein air events and sunset receptions
• Climate-controlled galleries preserving delicate works on paper
• Sustainable materials reflecting Maine’s maritime heritage

Permanent Collection & Rotating Exhibitions

OMAA’s permanent collection comprises over 3,000 works, emphasizing American modernism, abstract expressionism, and Maine-connected artists. Highlights include:

• Marsden Hartley: Bold landscapes capturing Maine’s coastal drama
• Edward Hopper: Rare early watercolors of Ogunquit’s fishing communities
• Jamie Wyeth: Contemporary realist works exploring New England’s ecology
• Bernard Langlais: Wooden sculptures bridging folk art and abstraction

Annual rotating exhibitions showcase thematic pairings, such as 2024’s “Tides of Change: Climate Narratives in Contemporary Art”, featuring site-specific installations by living artists responding to coastal erosion.

Educational Initiatives & Public Programs

OMAA’s educational arm offers multi-generational programming, including:

• Coastal Sketchbook Series: Guided plein air sessions with practicing artists
• Modernist Lecture Series: Scholar-led discussions on O’Keeffe, Dove, and Stieglitz
• Teen Art Labs: Digital media workshops exploring environmental art
• Curator Tours: Behind-the-scenes insights into exhibition design

Partnerships with Bowdoin College and the Maine Art Education Trust expand accessibility through subsidized school visits and teacher training programs.

Sculpture Gardens & Landscape Art

Three acres of coastal gardens serve as an open-air gallery, featuring works by:

• William Zorach: Granite and bronze figurative sculptures
• David Smith: Industrial steel forms contrasting with natural vistas
• Contemporary Installations: Site-responsive works by Toshiko Takaezu and Richard Serra

Themed garden trails—such as the “Dune Ecology Walk”—integrate art with conservation messaging, while seasonal blooms like rugosa roses and beach peas create ever-changing backdrops.

Visitor Experience & Seasonal Operations

Open May through October, OMAA provides a deeply engaging visitor experience:

• Guided Gallery Talks: Daily 11 AM tours focusing on collection highlights
• Membership Benefits: Exclusive previews and discounts at the museum store
• Coastal Café: Locally sourced seafood and artisanal snacks
• Accessibility Features: Wheelchair-friendly paths and ASL-interpreted tours

Special events like the annual “Art in Bloom” festival pair floral arrangements with gallery works, attracting regional designers and horticulturists.

Strategic Partnerships & Cultural Impact

OMAA collaborates with institutions like the Portland Museum of Art and Farnsworth Art Museum to share collections and co-curate exhibitions. Recent initiatives include:

• A digital archive preserving oral histories of Maine’s art colonies
• Traveling exhibitions introducing New England artists to national audiences
• Artist residencies offering studio space in partnership with local inns

With its fusion of historic significance, architectural beauty, and cutting-edge programming, the Ogunquit Museum of American Art remains a vital destination for art enthusiasts exploring Maine’s creative landscape. Its seasonal operation—a deliberate choice reflecting founder Strater’s belief in art’s connection to nature’s rhythms—ensures each visit offers fresh perspectives shaped by shifting tides and light.

Adult Education & Professional Development Programs

OMAA provides rigorous art education opportunities for adults, blending technical skill-building with art historical context:

• Coastal Masterclass Series
  Eight-session summer program led by resident artists focusing on plein air painting techniques. Includes tide schedule-coordinated outdoor sessions at Marginal Way and Perkins Cove. Participants receive personalized critiques and exhibition opportunities in the museum’s Community Gallery. Duration: 4 weeks | Structure: 3-hour morning sessions twice weekly
• Modernist Theory Deep Dive
  Art historian-led seminar exploring connections between Ogunquit Art Colony members and European avant-garde movements. Features rare archival access to correspondence between Robert Laurent and Constantin Brâncuși. Duration: 6-week fall course | Structure: Hybrid (in-person lectures + digital resource portal)

Youth & Family Creative Initiatives

Hands-on programs designed for intergenerational participation and school group engagements:

• Tidal Zone Art Lab
  Weekend workshops where families create eco-art installations using beach-combed materials. Includes guided marine biology lessons from Maine Coastal Heritage Trust partners. Duration: 3-hour sessions | Outcome: Collective shoreline sculpture displayed for 2 weeks
• Teen Curatorial Intensive
  Summer apprenticeship program where high school students co-design a gallery exhibition. Participants learn collection management software, lighting design, and label writing. Duration: 45 contact hours | Structure: Mentorship with OMAA’s exhibitions team

Community Engagement & Accessibility Programs

Initiatives broadening access to art experiences for diverse audiences:

• Artful Aging Workshops
  Weekly therapeutic art sessions for seniors with dementia and their caregivers. Utilizes the museum’s permanent collection for sensory-based reminiscence therapy. Duration: Year-round | Partnership: Maine Alzheimer’s Association
• ASL-Interpreted Garden Tours
  Fully accessible sculpture garden experiences with certified Deaf interpreters. Tactile components include miniature 3D-printed replicas of featured artworks. Schedule: Every second Saturday | Outcome: Customizable tour routes via mobile app

Professional Artist Support Programs

Career-development resources for emerging and mid-career artists:

• Coastal Residency Fellowship
  Competitive 4-week residency providing private studio space, housing at historic Shore Path Cottage, and stipend. Requires community engagement through public critiques or open studios. Application Cycle: January-March | Award Includes: Solo exhibition opportunity
• Art Business Webinars
  Professional practice series covering gallery contract negotiation, digital portfolio development, and grant writing. Features Q&As with OMAA’s acquisitions committee. Duration: 90-minute sessions | Access: Free for Maine residents

Seasonal Signature Events

Annual programming aligning with Maine’s cultural calendar:

• Harvest Moon Film Series
  Outdoor documentary screenings on art historical topics, projected against museum’s granite walls. Includes post-film discussions with directors like Lesley Karsten (Maine Media Workshops). Schedule: September evenings | Feature: Heated seating and local seafood concessions
• Winter Lights: Artist Response Exhibition
  National juried show during holiday months where artists create works responding to OMAA’s collection. Includes pop-up installations throughout Ogunquit village. Duration: November-January | Special Component: QR code audio guides by poets

University & Academic Partnerships

Credit-bearing programs for undergraduate and graduate students:

• Museum Studies Practicum
  Semester-long collaboration with University of New England allowing students to manage OMAA’s rotating exhibitions. Hands-on training in condition reporting, artifact handling, and donor relations. Credits: 6 semester hours | Requirement: 120 onsite hours + research paper
• Archival Research Symposia
  Annual gathering for scholars studying American modernism. Provides exclusive access to Henry Strater’s personal journals and the Marguerite Thompson Zorach correspondence collection. Duration: 3-day event | Outcome: Peer-reviewed publication opportunities

Contact OMAA:

Address:
P.O. Box 815, 543 Shore Road
Ogunquit, ME 03907

Phone:
207.646.4909