Camden, ME was Edna St. Vincent Millay’s childhood home; that’s why the opening lines of her first major poem are inscribed across the rotunda at the Camden Public Library:
All I could see from where I stood
Was three long mountains and a wood;
I turned and looked another way,
And saw three islands in a bay.
It seems like artists have lived here ever since, and the same views that inspired Millay inspire us today.
Camden Public Library was founded in 1796, when the town had fifteen houses. It was built by local public subscription, a tradition that continues. Today, the library board is responsible not only for the library but for the amphitheater and Harbor Park. That’s a pretty big chunk of the town’s most visible real estate. These three areas are important not only locals but visitors from all over the world. That is one reason why Maine artists are glad to help the library raise money to continue their programming.
Art in the Stacks is a new summer fundraiser based on Camden on Canvas, but with a fresh look and feel. This two-week silent auction is being held from July 20 to August 3. The artwork of 30 well-known artists is on display in the library, with bidding taking place entirely online.
If you’re in the area, stop in and visit. Art in the Stacks gives library-goers a chance to engage with art as they do their everyday errands. There is of course no admission fee, but you will be tempted to sit down and read in this most beautiful of libraries.
Whether you’re an art lover, a casual browser, or just someone stopping in to pick up your next summer read, Art in the Stacks offers something unexpected and enriching. It reminds us that art isn’t confined to museums and galleries. It lives everywhere (including within the pages of books).
Art in the Stacks will close with a small reception in the historic Reading Room on Sunday, August 3, 2025 from 4-6 PM.
How to see all the pieces
I had a very tough time choosing paintings for this blog post, so go to the auction website here to see all 30 pieces. These artists are donating all proceeds to the Camden Public Library. That means every penny raised goes directly to the library fund.
All bidding takes place online and all bids are final. Winning bids will be automatically charged to your chosen payment method; choose either credit card or PayPal as you check out.
Registration is now open for workshops in 2026! Reserve your spot:
- Canyon Color for the Painter | Sedona, AZ, March 9-13, 2026
- Advanced Plein Air Painting | Rockport, ME, July 13-17, 2026
- Sea & Sky | Acadia National Park, ME, August 2–7, 2026
- Find your Authentic Voice in Plein Air | Berkshires, MA, August 10-14, 2026
- New! Color Clinic 2026 | Rockport, ME, October 3-4, 2026
- New! Composition Week 2026 | Rockport, ME, October 5-9, 2026
Can’t commit to a full workshop? Work online at your own pace: