Dark Skies

Waterfall Arts, in collaboration with Dark Sky Maine and the Union of Maine Visual Artists (UMVA), proudly presents Dark Skies, a juried art exhibition that illuminates the beauty and importance of Maine’s night skies. The exhibit opens on January 17, 2025, and runs through February 28, 2025, at Waterfall Arts, located at 256 High Street in Belfast, Maine.

This dynamic exhibition showcases paintings, photographs, and mixed-media artworks by over 30 artists, selected by jurors Nancy Hathaway (President/Co-founder of Dark Sky Maine), and UMVA members Liv Kristin Robinson, Emily Sabino, and Arlene Jurewicz Leighton. Dark Skies honors the natural night sky and raises awareness about its ecological significance, including the survival of nocturnal wildlife such as pollinators, frogs, and birds.

Featured artists include nationally renowned creators like Katherine Bradford, Linden Frederick, Frances Hynes, and Jim Nickelson, alongside a rich array of talented Maine-based artists.

January 17 – February 28, 2025

Opening Reception January 18, 1-3 PM

Exhibition Events

  • January 18: Opening Reception, 1:00–3:00 PM at Waterfall Arts.
  • January 25: Screening of Wilfred Buck, Belfast Free Library, 1:30–3:30 PM.
  • February 1: Art Together Morning: A glow-in-the-dark constellations workshop for families, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM at Waterfall Arts. Pre-registration required.
  • February 8: Lantern-Making Workshop with Joelle Webber, at Waterfall Arts. Followed by an all-ages “Light Up the Night” walk, 2:30–4:30 PM, optional gratitude walk at 5:00 PM.
  • February 15: Night Sky Presentation and Workshop with Serena Sanborn and John Meader, 1:00–3:00 PM, including a tour of the exhibition at Waterfall Arts.
  • February 22: Talk by Elizabeth Dickerson, founder of Maine Aurora Borealis Watch, 1:00–2:00 PM at Waterfall Arts.

About the Jurors

The jury for Dark Skies includes Nancy Hathaway, a leading advocate for preserving dark skies, and UMVA artists Liv Kristin Robinson, Emily Sabino, and Arlene Jurewicz Leighton, whose artistic practices celebrate the natural world.

About the Exhibit

Dark Skies is the second collaborative exhibition between Waterfall Arts and UMVA, continuing a tradition of connecting art, community, and environmental stewardship. This show aims to inspire appreciation for the night sky while advocating for its protection in the face of increasing light pollution.

Media Coverage

January 19, 2025 News Center Maine, by Drew Peters.

January 17, 2025 ABC 7 & Fox 22 WFVX Bangor, by Doug Banks.

January 17, 2024 New England Living, Happening Now, Out & About, Night Vision , by Lannan M. O’Brien.

January 17, 2025 Portland Press Herald, Art Exhibition shines a light on the beauty of Maine’s night sky, by Megan Gray.

January 7, 2025 Maine Art Scene, by Brenda Bonneville.

January 7, 2025 Central Maine News, Things To Do, Belfast gallery plans ‘Dark Skies’ exhibit.

January, 2025 Maine Arts Journal, Winter 2025, UMVA Midcoast Update — Dark Skies Exhibition.