Artemis Gallery in Northeast Harbor
Tucked behind the main stretch of Northeast Harbor, inside a century-old house with winding rooms and garden paths, Artemis Gallery has grown into one of the most distinctive and community-minded art spaces on Mount Desert Island. Founded in 2012 by Deirdre Artemis Swords and the late Cody van Heerden, the gallery has evolved into a place that feels more like a home than a showroom: A space where visitors are greeted personally, artists are championed, and every show gives back.
Swords, who studied art education and practiced oil painting and mixed media before turning her focus to curation, describes her role as a bridge between artist and collector. "It's kind of like being a server between the chef and the customer," she says. Her background in hospitality shows in the warmth of her approach. "When people walk through the door, I want them to feel like they're coming into my home."
Each exhibition at Artemis pairs painters, sculptors, and other makers in a way that feels intentional and surprising. The current show features work by David Graeme Baker, Don Ripper, Patricia (Tish) Ingersoll, and Bobby Haskell, and as with every show, a portion of proceeds benefits a local nonprofit. Sculpture spills out into the adjacent garden space, where bronzes and granite works add dimension to the gallery's reach and provide curb appeal that helps draw new visitors down the path.
After van Heerden's death in 2018, Swords carried on the gallery solo, supported by a small but devoted team including longtime staff member Ivy Sienkiewycz. Together, they manage a seasonal schedule of rotating exhibitions and operate with a deep commitment to Maine-based artists. In fact, Swords notes that nearly every artist represented in the gallery sold work last season—a statistic that speaks volumes about her curatorial instincts and the strength of the relationships she fosters.
Open seven days a week during the summer and early fall, Artemis Gallery is more than a place to see art. It's a community hub, a space for conversation, and a reflection of Swords' belief that art can (and should) be both accessible and essential.
"Art connects us with ourselves,” she says, "and reminds us of our shared humanity."
FAMOUS FOR:
Curated exhibitions that showcase a wide variety of Maine-based artists, presented in a warm, welcoming gallery space where every show benefits a local nonprofit.
ADDRESS:
1 Old Firehouse Lane in Northeast Harbor, ME
WEBSITE:
artemisgalleryme.com
photos: Peter Logue
