Children's Museums
Wendell Gilley Museum
📍 4 Herrick Rd, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679🕐 Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
About Wendell Gilley Museum
Wendell Gilley Museum is a children's museum in Southwest Harbor, ME. The museum is dedicated to Wendell Gilley, an extremely talented wood sculptor known for spectacular bird carvings, making it a specialized art museum focused on a single artist's remarkable body of work. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 100 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Art Museum
- Best For
- All ages interested in nature-inspired art and creativity
- Highlights
- Hands-on art workshops, rotating exhibitions, guest artist programs
- Hours
- Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm (seasonal)
💡 Did You Know?
- The museum is dedicated to Wendell Gilley, an extremely talented wood sculptor known for spectacular bird carvings, making it a specialized art museum focused on a single artist's remarkable body of work
- The museum offers hands-on creative workshops including wood carving, woodburning, needle felting, and watercolor painting classes for all skill levels, allowing visitors to learn directly from the artistic traditions showcased
- The museum runs an 'Acadia Poet program' as a special event, indicating a unique interdisciplinary approach combining visual art with poetry and literature
- Features rotating special exhibitions such as 'Water Proof: Maine Artists Reflect on the Environment,' suggesting the museum curates thematic shows beyond its core Wendell Gilley collection
💬 What Visitors Say
- Plan to spend 1-2 hours exploring; this is a small but deeply curated museum where the quality and care of both the artwork and curation create an outsized experience despite its intimate size
- The museum rotates exhibitions regularly, so each visit offers something different—return visits are rewarding, especially to catch seasonal special exhibitions like 'Water Proof: Maine Artists Reflect on the Environment'
- If interested in learning woodcarving or other artistic techniques, inquire about the museum's hands-on workshops and courses led by visiting instructors—these classes are highly regarded based on visitor feedback
- Verify current hours and exhibition status before visiting by calling 207-244-7555 or emailing [email protected], as the museum closes periodically for exhibit installations (e.g., closed until May 27 for setup)
- Adults should consider attending the monthly Paint 'n' Sip workshops (21+) for an engaging way to create art in the museum setting while connecting with other visitors
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