Downeast with SPL
Downeast with SPL, a Stonington Public Library fundraising series, showcases local makers, producers, and artists. These small, intimate gatherings are a chance to meet the people and businesses behind the tastes and beauty and moments that we love about Downeast Maine. Our partners are generously donating their time and services and handmade goods to support Stonington Public Library’s mission, because pitching in and helping our neighbors is a trademark of our island and the peninsula.
Downeast with SPL tours have limited space and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. To make reservations and for payment information, email stonington.public.library@gmail.com with the tour(s) and number of spaces.
Family Sunset Cruise
Friday, July 18, 7-8:30pm
Isle au Haut Mail Boat, 27 Seabreeze Avenue, Stonington
A family trip with breathtaking views!
Sunset cruise with SPL and Isle au Haut Boat Services aboard the Otter. Captain Garret Aldrich will take us on a memorable evening tour of Stonington Harbor for all in the family to enjoy. Bask in a glorious sunset while giving back to a public resource—Stonington Public Library—that opens its doors to everyone. Participants are welcome to bring along light bites and non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy during the cruise.
$50 minimum donation
Modernmaine Studio Visit
Friday, August 1, 1:30-3:30pm
Modernmaine Studio, 10 Memorial Lane, Stonington
Visit the studio where inspiration is transformed into contemporary artist-made lighting. Take home a Modernmaine votive holder.
Studio visit with Modernmaine founder and designer Julie Morringello. Learn how she creates unique light fixtures for homes and businesses. Her work crosses traditional boundaries, in that it is both functional and sculptural, and created from a combination of digital and handmade processes. Most pieces are made from a very thin, translucent wood veneer, to which color and pattern may be applied. Take home an original Modernmaine votive holder.
Learn more about Modernmaine here.
$75 minimum donation
Chris Ross Concert
Saturday, August 2, 6-8pm
Four Acre Woods Campground, 1181 Sunshine Road, Deer Isle
Live music, wood-fired pizza, and a night under the stars!
Maine musician, singer, and songwriter Chris Ross comes to Four Acre Woods Campground to perform an SPL benefit concert. Check out Chris on Instagram and Facebook.
Pizza by Hearth & Soul from 5-8pm. Music starts at 6pm.
$20 in advance • $25 at the door
Wine & Cheese Sunset Cruise
Friday, August 15, 7-8:30pm
Isle au Haut Mail Boat, 27 Seabreeze Avenue, Stonington
Tasty bites, delicious drinks, breathtaking views!
Sunset cruise with SPL and Isle au Haut Boat Services aboard the Otter. Captain Garret Aldrich will take us on an evening tour of Stonington Harbor with delicious bites and sips—beyond just wine and cheese—for all to enjoy. Bask in a glorious sunset while giving back to a public resource, Stonington Public Library, that opens its doors to everyone.
$100 minimum donation
Deer Isle Oyster Company
Thursday, August 21, 4-6pm
Mariners Park, Sunshine Road, Deer Isle
Slurp, sip, bask: freshly shucked oysters, wine pairings, and a view of Long Cove.
Learn about small-scale oyster and kelp farming on the coast of Maine, enjoy a half dozen freshly shucked oysters with wine pairings presented by Deer Isle Oyster Company founders Abby Barrows & Ben Jackson.
“Our oysters grow in the productive and cold waters of Long Cove, Deer Isle, Maine. Located in Penobscot Bay, the cove has a longstanding history of seafood harvesting, and today supports a community of lobstermen and clam diggers. The farm floats above a soft seafloor, catching nutrient-rich tides while remaining sheltered by the surrounding islands.”
Learn more about Deer Isle Oyster Company here.
$75 minimum donation
Abby Litman Concert
Sunday, August 31, 6:30-8pm
John Rohman’s Barn, 16 Thurlow Hill, Stonington
Live music by an island musician—and rising star—in a classic Maine barn!
Stonington-based singer-songwriter Abby Litman is a rising star in the folk genre whose songs marry the lyrical traditions of American roots music with innovative acoustic arrangements and modern concepts. Check out Abby on her website and Instagram.
Admission by donation at the door.
Kathy O’Rourke & Rugosa Rose Concert
Friday, September 26, 6-7:30pm
John Rohman’s Barn, 16 Thurlow Hill, Stonington
A trio of island women perform an eclectic mix of folk and pop classics and original tunes!
Three Stonington women make up the Rugosa Rose trio: Cindy Coombs (left), Lynn Winters (right), and Kathy O’Rourke (center). Cindy is a Maine native, while both Lynn and Kathy have chosen to retire here. They weave harmonies through an eclectic mix of folk, pop, country, and soft rock classics and originals. Cindy and Kathy accompanying on guitar and Lynn on mandolin. Their music is a big part of their personal happiness, and they take great pleasure in sharing it with others.
Kathy O’Rourke will also perform a selection of her original songs both solo and accompanied by musician friends.
Admission by donation at the door.
Tomorrow Evening – Poets in Port
Friday, June 27, 6:30-7:30pm
SPL, 64 Main Street & on Zoom
Northport Arts Coalition takes Poets in Port on the road to Stonington Public Library. Join us for a poetry open mic with featured poet Eileen Hugo. All voices welcome!
Scan QR code to join us on Zoom. No RSVP required to attend in person.
Seaside Series Kicks Off Next Week!
Every Wednesday in July & August from 12-1pm
Small Cove Park, 6 Atlantic Avenue, Stonington (Rain venue: SPL)
July 2 – Jonathan Fisher House
Nevan Carling, a board member at the Jonathan Fisher House in Blue Hill, will present a demonstration of traditional door joining using historical tools and techniques.
July 9 – Christopher Scott Brumfield
The Seaweed & the Clay: The artist will create slab built ceramic pots using seaweed for imprinted decoration. Basics of slab building and printing on clay will be covered.
July 16 – Marnie Reed Crowell & Danielle D’Auria
Marnie Reed Crowell will read from her new young adult novel The Heron Witch, published by Green Writers Press in February 2025, followed by a conversation and book signing. She will be joined by Danielle D'Auria, a wildlife biologist who contributed data and original research to the novel.
July 23 – Robert Shetterly
Robert Shetterly will give a talk about his portrait series Americans Who Tell the Truth and take us behind the scenes of his creative process, followed by Q&A and a book signing.
July 30 – ISLE Theater & Marvin Merritt IV
ISLE Theater Company will share a short teaser from its summer production, followed by a conversation with Artistic & Executive Director Marvin Merritt IV and Affiliate Artist Riley Conrad. Join us for a sneak peek at this year’s original, site-specific work and learn more about ISLE’s mission, creative process, and community-centered productions that are brought to life in unexpected places.
August 6 – Thomas Gotwals
Thomas Gotwals will present What Is a Trumpet?, a talk on the history of the trumpet, followed by live music performed with Frank Gotwals and Renee Sewall, two local musical colleagues.
August 13 – Lewis Robinson
Lewis Robinson will read from his novel The Islanders, published by Islandport Press in September 2024, followed by a conversation and book signing.
August 20 – Jessica Berger Gross
Jessica Berger Gross will read from her debut novel Hazel Says No, published by HarperCollins in June 2025, followed by a conversation and book signing.
August 27 – Sarah Braunstein
Sarah Braunstein will read from her novel Bad Animals, published by W.W. Norton in March 2024, followed by a conversation and book signing.