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Camden Public Library’s fifth Camden on Canvas Plein Air Weekend was a great success! We are thrilled to announce that the Camden on Canvas auction raised an unofficial total of $71,425 for the library’s Campaign for the Future!
During the weekend, 21 talented landscape artists from around New England painted en plein air, bringing beloved and new perspectives of the Camden and Rockport area to the canvas. On Sunday, we transformed the library into an exhibit space where the public poured in to see the fresh paintings, followed by a lively and well-attended reception. We then filled our beautiful and historic Reading Room for the exciting live auction, led by Kaja Veilleux of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries. Every painting went to a new home, with the artists donating at least 50% of the proceeds to the library.
We extend our gratitude to the artists, event supporters and sponsors, committee members, library staff and trustees, the community from near and far who joined us, bidders, and the generous folks who opted to give an additional donation to the library during the auction. Together, we’ll support our library’s resilient future for years to come!
The Camden Public Library presents “Camden on Canvas,” a plein-air fundraiser being held in Camden and surrounding communities August 21-23, 2026, culminating in a reception and live auction in the Camden Amphitheatre on Sunday, August 23.
Twenty-one notable New England landscape artists will paint, en plein air, at multiple local sites from Friday morning, August 21, to noon on Sunday, August 23. The public is invited to visit the Camden on Canvas Information Tent outside the library’s Atlantic Avenue entrance. There, visitors will find information about the participating artists and a map to the locations where they may be painting. The Information Tent will be open from 9 am to 5 pm, Friday and Saturday, and 9 am to noon on Sunday. You can also check our Facebook page for updates on artist locations.
The wet paintings will then be displayed during a wet-paint exhibit in the historic Camden Amphitheatre, Sunday, August 23, 1:00 to 3:00 pm.
The weekend will culminate with a Reception and Live Auction in the Amphitheatre, Sunday, August 23, 4:00 to 6:00 pm, when the weekend’s new works will be auctioned. Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and drinks while you view the art and meet the artists.
Auctioneer Kaja Veilleux of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries will kick-off the bidding at 5:00 pm. This year, the Reception and Live Auction tickets are complimentary. Pre-registration is available but not required to attend. Proceeds from the auction will be shared equally between the Library’s Campaign for the Future and the artists.
From Kristy Kilfoyle, Library Executive Director: “As we prepare for the much-anticipated Camden on Canvas event in the Library’s Amphitheatre, I am thrilled that this celebration of creativity will celebrate local artists, as well as support the work we’re doing here in this storied building. The plein-air works are sure to delight attendees, just as they have in the past. Join us as we celebrate the power of creativity and cultural enrichment. Together, let’s paint a bright future for the Camden Public Library!”
