Giants in the Sky

Written by Skip Bates, Midcoast Magnet Board Member

Maine is famous for its natural beauty and its cultural heritage. Sometimes we experience culture by going to a museum and studying paintings by famous artists. If it’s a rainy day, what better place to take in some culture than in Rockland, home to the nationally renowned Farnsworth Art Museum? The Farnsworth is famous for its collection of three generations of the Wyeth family, including N.C., Andrew, and Jamie, whose works are all on display. I particularly love N.C. Wyeth’s heroic illustrations for early 20^th century novels including Last of the Mohicans, Treasure Island, and Robinson Crusoe, since they perfectly capture my still naïve young adult imagination.

I just love The Giant. If you ever visit Sand Beach in Acadia, Lucia Beach in Owls Head, or one of Maine’s other great (but virtually secret) sand beaches, you can practically relive the moment depicted in the painting by building castles with your own kids. Here’s a quick clip of some youngsters doing just that…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOg_HRjb3xM&feature=related

Or, for a slightly different perspective on Maine beaches, check out these skim boarders. Why don’t more people do this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wViAYFrgrtk&feature=related