If you were out and about on the Blue Hill Peninsula recently, you may have seen artists capturing a local landscape on canvas as part of the Blue Hill Public Library’s annual Paint the Peninsula fundraiser. More than ninety artists will create over one hundred paintings for the week-long auction, which starts Monday, July 13th.

This much-anticipated annual event showcases the work of local and seasonal artists, including newcomers, in an online auction during the week of July 13th to 18th. There will be a closing reception on Saturday, July 18th from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. The final moments of bidding will take place during the reception, which always leads to additional excitement. Last year’s auction yielded over $50,000 in revenue and raised almost $34,000 for the library.

During the auction week, paintings will be available for viewing online, or in-person at the library. Offering a broad range of painting styles and points of view, Paint the Peninsula Week is a great opportunity to start buying local art or add to an established collection.

This is the Blue Hill Library’s largest event fundraiser. Proceeds support both the library’s operating budget and the local arts community. Anyone can place bids on the auction website at www.fundraiser.support/BHPLptp2026.

The library is grateful once again to this year’s lead sponsor, the Merle B. Grindle Agency of Blue Hill, and to major sponsors, the Brooklin Boat Yard, Camden National Bank, and First Light Realty.