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The latest Portland Press Herald Article on MMPA

Installation video by Jon Pelletier

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MMPA IS PROUD TO PRESENT A SOLO EXHIBITION AND NEW MONGRAPH BY MELONIE BENNETT

HOLY COW! IS AN UPCOMING BOOK THAT OFFERS A PLAYFUL YET POIGNANT JOURNEY THROUGH 20 YEARS OF FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN BY BENNETT BETWEEN 1990 AND 2011. THESE BLACK-AND-WHITE IMAGES FORM AN UNCONVENTIONAL FAMILY ALBUM CAPTURING RITUALS, TRADITIONS, DRAMAS, LAUGHTER, GATHERINGS, DOGS, AND DRUNKEN EXPLOITS, ALONGSIDE QUIETER MOMENTS OF REPRIEVE. TOGETHER, THEY PORTRAY THE ROLLERCOASTER OF HUMAN LIFE WITH HONESTY AND WARMTH.

AUGUST 7 - OCTOBER 3, 2026.

ARTIST TALK & BOOK SIGNING: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 5–8 PM

The monograph 'Holy Cow!' is a romp through 20 years of family photographs by Melonie Bennett. The black and white images in this unconventional family album were made between 1990-2011. They depict the rituals, traditions, dramas, laughter, gatherings, the dogs and the drunken exploits alongside quieter moments of reprieve—they show the rollercoaster of human life.

'Holy Cow!' was published in May 2026 by Gost Books and is available for Purcase Here.

INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE METAPHYSICAL

This exhibition is loosely inspired by the work of Italian painter Giorgio Morandi (1890–1964), known for his repeated depictions of the same ordinary objects - bottles, bowls, boxes -studied again and again with a slow, exploratory attention. It is this near-slavish dedication to nuance or the way meaning shifts with the smallest adjustment of light or arrangement, that links his work to the metaphysical.

Many artists since have carried his investigations forward. It is my hope to bring together works inspired by the metaphysical together for us to explore. We might ask these questions of the artwork:  What does it mean for a thing to exist? What properties make an object this object? How do space, time and change act on matter? How does matter act on the mind? Where does the possibility end and necessity begin? What the heck does process have to do with any of it?  Let’s consider it all together. - Denise Froehlich, Dir. MMPA

AUGUST 7 - OCTOBER 3

ARTIST PANEL: FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 5-8PM

ARTIST TALK, READING + BOOK SIGNING: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 5-8PM

MARIANNE BERNSTEIN
BRENDAN BULLOCK
JOYCE ELLEN WEINSTEIn
BRENTON HAMILTON
FERN NESSON
PETER SHELLENBERGER
ELIZABETH OPALENIK
LUC DEMERS
SUSAN MURIE

A CALL FOR WORKS

"CANINE" 

Send us an email with “CANINE SUBMISSION” in the subject line, a short bio (2–3 sentences), an artist statement (3–5 sentences about the content of the work) An image list, and 6-12 JPGS (sized to 1500 pixels on the long edge) to CONTACT.MMPA@GMAIL.COM.

(Please send CONCEPTUAL FINE ART IMAGES ONLY)

It is to Jamie Salomon and his family that we owe this terrific upcoming exhibition, as it was generously underwritten by the Salomon family.

Jamie Salomon (1963 - 2024) was a distinguished photographer whose passion for the art began at age 12 with his father's Rolleiflex camera. He earned a BFA in photography from the School of Visual Arts in New York City and later established his career in Maine after relocating with his wife, Susan. Over more than three decades, Jamie specialized in architectural, editorial, and commercial photography, developing a unique style characterized by a keen eye and a sensitive use of light. An avid nature enthusiast, his deep knowledge of the woods, oceans, and flora and fauna often permeated his photography, bringing his passions vividly to life in his images. 

Deadline for Submission Tuesday, December 1, 2026

SUBMIT YOUR WORK

HAVE A PORTFOLIO THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?

Send us an email with “PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION” in the subject line, a short bio (2–3 sentences), an artist statement (3–5 sentences about the content of the work, an image list, and 24-48 JPGS (sized to 1500 pixels on the long edge) to CONTACT.MMPA@GMAIL.COM

Please Note: A small donation to MMPA of $50. is suggested.

Every submission gets a response. Works that aren’t right for MMPA are often forwarded to curators friends in Southern Maine.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND GOOGLE DRIVE LINKS or pdf FILES. Dropbox or WETransfer is best.

Volunteers Wanted

Office Assistant

We need someone who loves administrative work and has excellent follow through - 15hrs a week.

Email us at contact.mmpa@gmail.com with “VOLUNTEER” in the subject line. Include a resume.

Book Features

MMPA is proud to have offerings from Radius Books, MW Editions + Artist monographs and Book Arts
New titles are constantly coming in. A new book just in by clay atkinson below.

Clay Atkinson

(1941-2026)

This is a deeply moving and evocative piece of writing.  The soulful narrative walks us through Clay's journey from the rigid world of business through the lens of his camera into the vulnerable world of art.
- S. D. Gemini

Artist Monographs and Book Arts

Support Maine photographers by purchasing from the MMPA Store: Books, Prints, Framed works + Secondary market finds. Selections from the exhibition are typically available for 8 weeks. Works can be borrowed, taken on trial, and paid for in installments. Our goal is to have Maine photographic work in your home, office, business or museum. We don’t care how it gets there, we just want you to revel in how wonderful our artists are, and how important they/their works can be to your collection and your life. Your purchase makes opportunities for artists + future exhibitions. Thank you for your involvement.

Secondary Market feature From the Flat files

Dan Dow

Dan Dow, Leaves, Hawaii, 1/1, n.d., Inkjet print, 17 x 22 inches, $950.

Dan Dow, Montana, Landscape with Clouds, 1/1, n.d., Inkjet print, 16 x 24 inches, $950.

Dan Dow, Autumn Leaves, 1/1, n.d., Inkjet print, 17 x 24 inches, $950.

Dan Dow, Photographer (1940-2024)

It was always difficult to get Dan Dow to talk about his own work. He was just not into promoting himself, be that to discuss his own work or even to make a lot of effort to show his work in exhibits or to get it published. He photographed and made art because that was what he did. He did not feel he needed anyone’s input or approval.

After some substantial encouragement, he would sometimes give in and show his work. As a longtime member of the Portland Camera Club, he would show his work but had little interest in making his photographic art subject to their competitions.

He did not feel art was something to compete with, but he knew his photographs were good. He was a master photographer, with an Ansel Adams- like advanced technique and an exceptional feeling for composition. He always knew what was in his compositions, what function every detail has.

If something was in the photograph, he wanted it to be there. After a long career as a fine art photographer, Dan passed away in the spring of 2024. His work can be found in several collections, such as the Stephen Halpert Collection at the University of New England. He did show his work in exhibitions at the Art Gallery of the University of New England and also at the Addison Woolley Gallery in Portland, Maine and later in many regular exhibits with the Wooley Group.

His work was chosen for the 1979 and 1981 Maine Biennial exhibits while it was also, nearly annually, selected in the Maine Photo Show in Boothbay. - Jan Pieter van Voorst van Beest, Dear friend and colleague

At the Maine Museum of Photographic Arts we are privileged to show his work.

Do you have work in your collection that you would like to sell? to schedule an appointment contact.mmpa@gmail.com