About the Speers Gallery
In 2011, the gallery in Hank's Room was named the Speers Gallery in honor of Mike Speers, former Library Trustee and Friend of the Library, who was the inspiration of the Gallery.
Current Speers Gallery Exhibit
February: "Animal Alphabet Rhymes and Origami" by Joe Mulqueen
The Speers Gallery at the Kennebunk Free Library welcomes Kennebunk artist Joe Mulqueen. The exhibit runs February 1-28, and the public is invited to an artist reception on Wednesday, February 19 at 2 pm where Joe will present his talk “1000 Cranes: Origami Past and Present.” All are welcome, especially children!
Joe’s exhibit features a panel for each letter of the alphabet with a poem about the animal and an origami model for that animal. He says “Ever since childhood I have had many interests. Two that are in this exhibit are poetry and origami, which I had been doing as separate activities for a number of years. The first time I combined them was when my friends started to have children, and I did a book for each child. Over time, I thought of using a central idea, such as the alphabet, to create different collections.”
While Joe has written some longer poems, he is especially drawn to limericks and shorter poems that involve a play on words and childlike questions. He feels that simple things that relax and amuse us may be as beneficial as more serious content, and his goal is to share the enjoyment he has in creating these pieces. Here’s a limerick Joe created just for KFL!
KFL has lots of great books and more
For anyone willing to open their door.
You may borrow and learn,
Keep the knowledge you earn,
And know there is always more to explore!
The Kennebunk Free Library is excited to show the whimsical work of this local artist!
Speers Gallery Artists for 2025
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Month |
Artist |
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January 2025 |
Sue Howard “Reflections: Paintings by Sue Howard” Mixed Media |
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February 2025 |
Joe Mulqueen “Animal Alphabet Rhymes & Origami” Paper & Poster Board |
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March 2025 |
Brian Cohen “A Career in Prints” Etching |
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April 2025
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(Pending) |
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May 2025 |
Jeffrey “Hutch” Fay “This is New England” Oil Painting, Etching & Block Print |
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June 2025 |
William McCarthy & Barney Cutrer (untitled) Oil Painting |
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July 2025 |
Erik Howell “Plumbing the Vapor” Acrylic, Ink & Charcoal |
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August 2025 |
Matti Crowe “Matti’s World” Acrylic |
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September 2025 |
Children’s programs participants “Kid Creations” Mixed Media |
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October 2025 |
Cheryl Lunde & Bob Lown “Local Color” Watercolor |
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November 2025 |
Joanne Maloney “Simple Gifts” Acrylic |
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December 2025
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Alissa Kruszenski “Homage to Home” Photography |
Speers Gallery Exhibit Applications, Policy, and Procedures
PLEASE NOTE THE DEADLINE TO EXHIBIT IN 2025 HAS PASSED. WE WILL ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR 2026 ON ROLLING BASIS UP UNTIL THE DEADLINE IN OCTOBER 2025.
Dear Artists,
The Kennebunk Free Library’s Speers Gallery provides a space devoted to exhibiting artwork of local artists. Located on the lower level, the Speers Gallery offers the opportunity for the general public to appreciate the arts in a manner that reflects the Library's mission to inspire and enable our communities to discover, learn, and connect.
We are currently inviting artists to apply to exhibit for a month in 2026. In November 2025, we will convene an art committee, consisting of members from the Library and art communities, to review the completed applications and set a monthly exhibit schedule for 2026. Please note that applications must be received by Friday, October 17, 2025.
Our application form and exhibit policies and procedures are linked below. I hope that you will consider applying to Exhibit in 2026. Please note that there is a $25.00 fee to exhibit and an additional fee of $10.00 to hold a reception. Payment is not due until the month of your exhibit. If you have any questions regarding this process, please feel free to contact me via phone 985-2173 x103 or email at mconners@kennebunklibrary.org.
Sincerely,
Michelle K. Conners
Director
Maine Children's Book Illustrators Gallery
The KFL Maine Children’s Book Illustrators Gallery, houses original works of art from children’s books by Maine illustrators. Represented artists include Barbara Cooney, Dahlov Ipcar and Kevin Hawkes. It was created in 1995, following the expansion of the Library, and is a wonderful means of educating patrons of the richness and diversity of Maine artists. It also serves to promote literacy by presenting literature in a visual form to the young and young at heart. The Gallery is located on the lower floor in the Library and is open to the public whenever the library is open.
Pictured above is a photograph of the Maine Children’s Book Illustrators Gallery, with benches below for patrons to have a seated view of the art.