Written by: Marsha Donahue, artist and owner of North Light Gallery in Millinocket, Maine

I have always felt lucky to have grown up in Maine. Even if your family struggled financially, with all the natural beauty and community support, we never felt we had less. That was the 50’s, though, and we all know the world has changed. Community support cannot be taken for granted anymore and, those of us who have had the benefit of a childhood here, and had opportunities since becoming adults, need to provide that support to help those who are now growing up.  Even if we all just chose one place to support, what a difference it could make.

I chose Acadia Hospital, because I am grateful for the people who have helped me along the way, because of the potential we must support in our young people, and because when an organization has been in existence this long that has done so much good, it only makes sense to help them do for the community what they do best.

I began turning my vision toward Bangor recently after several invitations to come and paint here. Until seven years ago, I spent most of my adult life in Portland, Maine and Washington, D.C., the greater part in Portland. Not since my childhood years in Pittsfield had I taken a good look at Bangor and what I am seeing is a historically and geographically beautiful city. I have plans over the next year to dedicate my brush to the Queen City and feel some of the proceeds of work sold of Bangor should directly benefit the city. 

For the last fifteen years or so, I have donated a portion of my work to charity, favoring the Kids First and Boys and Girls Club auctions in Portland and the Lighthouses on Parade fund raiser in Portland, being sponsored by Camp Sunshine and Newman’s Own. I am committed to a safe and better world for teens but realize that giving from skills I have, rather than trying to be directly involved, is the better gift. In other words, support the professionals in doing what they do best.

I would like to offer a percentage of the sales of any of my work that comes through Acadia Hospital by offering 10% of the sale of any of my originals, priced anywhere from $250-$3,500 and 50% of the sale of any of my prints, priced from $40-$325. If anyone contacts me as a result of visiting my website (www.artnorthlight.com) through Acadia Hospital, they would just need to use the phrase “Support Youth Wellness” and the donation will apply. I will send a check to Acadia Hospital and include the purchaser’s name in the gift.

The first image I would like to offer of Bangor is called “Break up in Bangor”, painted from Route 9 across the Penobscot River when the ice was going out in spring. The original, which is still available, is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 28” x 36” and priced at $3,500 (a $350 donation to Acadia). The prints of this image are in two sizes:  16” x 20” for $175 (an $87.50 donation to Acadia) and 22” x 30” (a $137.50 donation to Acadia). Other examples of my work include: Inlet, Katahdin Lake; Standing in the Shadows; and Trout Mountain from Compass Pond.