About the Speers Gallery

Kennebunk Free Library provides space for art exhibits. Exhibit materials may be organized and presented by the Library, members of the community, and not-for-profit groups within the guidelines set forth in the Exhibit Policy below. The gallery has been host to a variety of mediums including photography, textile arts and mixed media assemblages in addition to renditions in oil, pastel, pen and ink, and watercolor.

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.


Speers Gallery Exhibit Applications, Policy, and Procedures

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 207-985-2173 x103 or email at mconners@kennebunklibrary.org.

Sincerely,

Michelle K. Conners

Director

Application Welcome Letter

Exhibit Application

Exhibit Policy & Procedures


Current Speers Gallery Exhibit

September: “Joan Forrester – Maine Artist”

j forrester art (6)

The Speers Gallery at the Kennebunk Free Library presents “Joan Forrester – Maine Artist”. The art exhibit runs September 2-30, with a reception on Saturday, September 13 from 2-4 pm. All are welcome.  

Joan Forrester lives in Andover, Maine and captures everything from nature studies to contemporary mediums using watercolor, pen and ink, acrylic, pastel and oil. The daughter of two Maine artists, she grew up exposed to various art mediums, and now in retirement is enjoying expanding her desire to create. She says “All art sends different messaging and is received individually. Be open to the experience and take away what you want. I paint for myself, my excitement to see color on paper!”

Joan has had both informal and formal art training and is a member of the Andover Artists Group. She has shown her work at the Congregational Church in Kennebunkport as well as other fine art shows.

Kennebunk Free Library is excited to welcome this enthusiastic artist to our Speers Gallery.


Speers Gallery Artists for 2025


Speers Gallery Exhibit Schedule 2025
MonthArtist
 January 2025Sue Howard“Reflections: Paintings by Sue Howard” – Mixed Media
 February 2025Joe Mulqueen – “Animal Alphabet Rhymes & Origami” – Paper & Poster Board
 March 2025Brian Cohen – “A Career in Prints” – Etching
 April 2025 Laura Dauphinais“Near and Far in Black and White” – Photography
 May 2025Jeffrey “Hutch” Fay – “This is New England” – Oil Painting, Etching & Block Print
 June 2025William McCarthy & Barney Cutrer – “Perspectives by a Pair of Painters” – Oil Painting
 July 2025Erik Howell – “Plumbing the Vapor” – Acrylic, Ink & Charcoal
 August 2025Matti Crowe – “Matti’s World” – Acrylic
 September 2025Joan Forrester“Joan Forrester – Maine Artist” – Mixed Mediums
 October 2025Art Guild of the Kennebunks – “Local Color ” – Mixed Mediums
 November 2025Joanne Maloney – “Simple Gifts” – Acrylic
 December 2025 Alissa Kruszenski – “Homage to Home” – Photography

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.