Explore the Featured Events at Art of Ellsworth 2026
Art of Ellsworth: Maine Craft Weekend returns October 1–4, bringing opportunities to see what’s being made, meet the people behind it and try something yourself. Now in its ninth year, the celebration invites you to experience Ellsworth as a creative, walkable destination, with exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations and community events throughout downtown.
Heart of Ellsworth brings the weekend together through planning, collaboration and promotion alongside local artists, businesses and community organizations. As a featured city in the statewide Maine Craft Weekend tour, Ellsworth offers plenty of reasons to spend a few hours or a whole weekend exploring.
This year’s celebration is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, Maine Office of Tourism and Witham Family Hotels. Seven featured events offer a place to start planning your visit, with more activities happening throughout the community.
Celebrate Public Sculpture & Explore Working with Stone
Recent progress on the Union River Sculpture Trail puts stone and sculpture at the heart of this year’s celebration. These three events connect the finished artwork along our riverfront with the ideas, tools and people behind it.
Ribbon Cutting: Celebrating the Purchase & Placement of Chaise Gabion
Wednesday, September 30 | 2–2:30 p.m. | Ellsworth Public Library lawn
Get an early start on the celebration as we mark the purchase and permanent placement of Celeste Roberge’s Chaise Gabion, the first sculpture purchased for the developing Union River Sculpture Trail. Join us to celebrate this milestone and see how a growing collection of public art is taking shape along Ellsworth’s riverfront.
Gallery Exhibition: Process to Public Sculpture
Opening Thursday evening, October 1 | Gallery at 16 State
How does an artist’s idea become a sculpture in a public space? Process to Public Sculpture: The Creative Path & Future of the Union River Sculpture Trail offers a closer look through artists’ models, sketches and tools. Presented in partnership with Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium, Frenchman Bay Conservancy and Heart of Ellsworth, the exhibition explores the creative process and the vision for the trail’s future.
Hands-On Stone Tent with SISS
Saturday, October 3 | 1–4 p.m. | Union River Sculpture Trail trailhead
Meet Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium sculptors and explore the material at the center of their work. Stop by to ask questions, handle stone and try a few techniques. It’s a chance to connect what you’ve seen in the gallery and along the trail with the hands-on work of shaping a sculpture.
Find Your Way into the Makerspace
Curious about what happens at 16 State? These two events offer an opportunity to get comfortable in the space, meet creative people and explore programming you might want to return for.
Open Doors at 16 State
Thursday, October 1 | 5–8 p.m. | Makerspace at 16 State
Meet studio artists, watch demonstrations, experiment with different materials and learn about upcoming programming during this free, all-ages event. Whether you’ve been wondering what the Makerspace offers or have already taken a class, stop in to explore downtown’s newest creative hub and discover how you can get involved.
Clay Play Ornaments: Textures of Autumn
Sunday, October 4 | Drop in between 10–11 a.m. and stay until noon | Makerspace at 16 State
Spend a relaxed morning making one autumn ornament or a whole collection. Use leaves, botanicals, stamps and other textures to press patterns into clay, with all materials included and no clay experience needed. This accessible, low-cost session is an invitation to try working with clay and explore our growing programming. Preregister to save $5, or walk in and pay when you arrive.
Help Create Downtown’s Holiday Glow
Public Art workshop: holiday light spheres
Saturday, October 3 | 2–4 p.m. | Makerspace at 16 State
Take part in making the holiday light spheres that brighten downtown during the winter season. This workshop connects hands-on creativity with a community project you’ll be able to enjoy long after the weekend ends. Come help prepare a little of the glow that makes downtown feel festive. Thanks to Versant Power, this festive project is free and open to everyone!
PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE HERE
Visit a Seasonal Favorite
Blown Glass Pumpkin Patch and Glass-Blowing Demonstrations
Saturday and Sunday, October 3–4 | Atlantic Art Glass
The fan-favorite Blown Glass Pumpkin Patch returns with glass pumpkins and glassblowing demonstrations. Explore the finished pieces and watch the process behind them for a closer look at the skill and creativity of local glass artists.
Explore the full Art of Ellsworth: Maine Craft Weekend schedule.