26 Split Rock Cove is an artist’s retreat offering workshops in art making and writing, studio space, and a rental apartment for artists and writers) looking for a peaceful, nurturing environment. The property is located on 3 acres overlooking the coast of Maine.
26 Split Rock Cove is also my home. As an artist and poet, I want to create a space for other artists to come for a week or a month, or to work in the studios. I live on the property and maintain a studio within my home.
I know that making art requires both solitude and community, by which I mean that solitary time is almost always essential, but working near and/or in contact with other artists can be of great value for shared values, and possibly a friendly discussion about work.
My goals include:
South Thomaston, ME is a village in the South Penobscot Bay. Home to many hard working fishermen and women, the village and the peninsula that extends to Port Clyde are quintessential Maine: rocky coasts, and vistas filled with lobster boats and island destinations. 26 Split Rock Cove overlooks Mussel Ridge Channel, where the lobster boats, summer kayakers, and recreational boaters share the water.
Visitors can:
After years of vacationing on Maine’s coast in Kennebunkport, Boothbay Harbor, Castine, and Bar Harbor and bringing children to summer camp near Waterville and Freedom, I made the decision to move to South Thomaston, Maine, in 2010. Having good friends next door was an incentive and a bonus! We had actually raised our children in the same town of Sherborn, Massachusetts where we met 30 years ago.
My previous work at Massachusetts College of Art and Design gave me great experience in teaching, administrative, and program development. I was the Director of Museum Education, the acting Director of the Office of Art and Community Partnerships, and an adjunct faculty member in the Art Education Department. The concept of starting a small artist collaborative was not a big leap. I had the idea that this move could also be the introduction I needed to create my own new community in Maine.
My property is a small corner of an old 40 acre sheep farm that was purchased by my friends in 2000. The sheep barn still stands today, now filled with mowers, lawn utensils, and kayaks. Yet one can imagine a flock of sheep grazing all the way down to the shore where the eponymous ‘split rock’ stands.
Working with friend and MassArt colleague and architect, Paul Hajian www.hajian.com we designed a new house for me to live in, and renovated an existing building into the studios and apartment retreat space. (See Facilities) We broke ground in June of 2011 and both the house and studio building were completed at the end of summer in 2012.
The goal continues to be community. I am eager to meet local artists, museum curators, and arts organization entrepreneurs. I like developing relationships with the resident artists over the time they are here, and beyond. Many artists return, or send others here. Some have even decided to make midcoast Maine their permanent home. I am pleased to say it’s been a grand adventure.
–Sandy Weisman, artist, poet, and founder of 26 SRC www.sandyweisman.art
CMCA The Center for Maine Contemporary Art is a nonprofit organization advancing contemporary art in Maine through exhibitions and educational programs. I became involved with CMCA as a volunteer educator – a continuation of my professional work at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. With the staff, I developed the Look Inside program for visiting school groups and now work with other volunteers in that capacity.
CMCA members receive a 10% discount on all workshops offered at 26 Split Rock Cove. www.cmcanow.org
