ROCKPORT: Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) seeks artists to submit pieces for the annual Art Show and Sale. This year, the sale will be extended to two days:  Saturday, August 13 from 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday, August 14 from 9 am to 1 pm at the historic farmhouse located on the Aldermere Farm, 20 Russell Ave in Rockport.

Artists seeking inspiration are invited to Aldermere Farm for a day of plein air painting around the farm’s property on Wednesday, July 20. Between 8 am and 4 pm artists may set up their easels along the roadside to paint the Belted Galloway cattle in the pastures or stroll down one of the preserve’s walking trails for picturesque views of the ocean and Lily Pond.

The art show raises funds to support agricultural programming for local youth and highlights local artists who capture the beauty of Maine’s coastal lands through original paintings and prints of coastal and pastoral vistas, Aldermere Farm and its world-renowned Belted Galloway cattle.

Artwork may be framed or matted originals in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pencil, and pastel, or prints of paintings that portray the Belted Galloway cattle, Aldermere Farm scenery, Maine coastal scenes, or the Erickson Fields Preserve. Participants may donate 30% or 100% of the proceeds from the sale of their artwork. Registration forms are due by Friday, July 29 and are available online at www.aldermere.org/programs/events.html.

MCHT’s Aldermere Farm and Erickson Fields Preserve properties are preserved working farms in Rockport that produce fresh local food for the community, offer many agriculturally related programs and events, and help visitors gain a better appreciation for land conservation and sustainable agriculture. For more information, visit www.aldermere.org, call 236-2739 or e-mail jalbury@mcht.org.