On Saturday, May 28, the Farnsworth Art Museum will open the exhibition Ashley Bryan: Beauty in Return. The show will be on display in the museum’s Rothschild Gallery through December 31, and recognizes the work of the Farnsworth’s 2022 Maine in America Award honoree: painter, printmaker, illustrator, author, puppet maker, poet, and storyteller Ashley Bryan.

Bringing together examples of the artist’s work from throughout his long career, including paintings, illustrations, puppets, and stained glass, the exhibition is a joyful celebration of the enduring power of art, and of the human spirit over adversity.

In conjunction with this exhibition, and in recognition and celebration of Ashley Bryan’s selection as the 2022 Maine in America Award recipient, multiple programs are scheduled throughout the summer. A virtual exhibition preview is planned for Wednesday, June 1 at 6 p.m., with guest curator Suzette McAvoy. On Wednesday, July 13, the Farnsworth will mark Bryan’s remarkable life on what would have been his 99th birthday with art-making activities for children under a tent on the museum grounds. Then, on Sunday, July 17, the museum will honor the artist with free admission and special programs all day long for members and the community. Museum patrons will celebrate the Maine in America Award throughout the summer with members-only events. Visit the Farnsworth website for additional information about events, or to join.

The museum is grateful to the collection of Oakland University School of Education and Human Services and curators Linda Pavonetti, Ed.D. and Jim Cipielewski, Ph.D., for their generous loan of works to the exhibition; and to the Ashley Bryan Center and its executive director, H. Nichols B. Clark, for their support, guidance, and assistance.

For more information please visit www.farnsworthmuseum.org, or contact Farnsworth Communications and Marketing Manager David Troup at 207-390-6009.