Reed Art Gallery

02/06/2026

The Reed Gallery will be open this evening for First Friday Art Walk from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

Our featured exhibition is “Visions Real and Surreal: Paintings by Roger Morin (1944–2019)”

The exhibition features over 40 paintings drawn from the substantial collection bequeathed to UMPI, highlighting the extraordinary range of Morin’s artistic vision—from classical realism to Impressionism, Surrealism, figurative imagery, and Abstract Expressionism.

A self-taught painter, Roger Morin developed his formidable skills by studying and copying the works of great masters across centuries: the Italian Renaissance, the dramatic Baroque, the light-filled Impressionists, the dream worlds of the Surrealists, and the bold innovations of the Abstract Expressionists. This deep engagement with art history shaped his technical versatility as well as his imaginative breadth.

Throughout his career, Morin returned repeatedly to self-portraiture, painting himself in a wide range of styles, moods, and conceptual frameworks. These portraits served as both a record of his artistic development and an intimate documentation of his own aging and self-reflection.

In his youth, Roger was also a competitive bodybuilder, an experience that informed his interest in the expressive potential of the human form. Muscular physiques—idealized, symbolic, and allegorical—became a recurring subject in his work, reflecting his fascination with anatomy, strength, and the heroic figure.

Outside the studio, Morin was known as an avid chess master. A three-time Maine State Chess Champion, he also coached the Houlton High School chess team, mentoring young players with the same focus and dedication he brought to his painting. He was also an active member of the Houlton order of Masons, and his interests in science, philosophy, and history emerge throughout his paintings in symbolic imagery and layered narratives.

“I first met Roger in 2006, shortly after my arrival in Aroostook County, and we quickly formed a friendship rooted in our mutual love of art,” said Frank Sullivan, Director of the Reed Gallery. “We would often meet at each other’s studios to discuss painting techniques and art in general. He later became a chess mentor to my then 12-year-old son, teaching him the game and inviting him to join the high school chess team when he was still in seventh grade. I was always impressed by Roger’s commitment to excellence in everything he did, and his passion for continually learning more about the things he loved. I am excited to share this diverse selection of his work with the community.”

Together, the works in this exhibition reveal an artist of remarkable curiosity, imagination, and rigor—someone for whom painting was not only a craft, but a lifelong search for insight, expression, and meaning.

The Reed Gallery is located on the second floor of the Center for Innovative Learning in the heart of the UMPI campus. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend.

Gallery hours are:
Mondays through Thursdays from 8:00am to 9:00pm
Fridays 8:00am to 4:30pm
Sunday 2:00pm to 8pm

For further information, please contact Reed Art Gallery Director, Frank Sullivan:
Email: [email protected]
Mobile phone: (207) 694-1920

About the Reed Gallery
The Reed Gallery at the University of Maine at Presque Isle serves as a cultural hub for the campus and surrounding community, showcasing a variety of exhibitions that promote creativity, education, and artistic expression.

12/06/2025

❄️🎨 Warm Up With Art Tonight! | First Friday Art Walk | 6–8 PM

Bundle up and join us this evening for the opening reception of Roger Morin: A Life in Paint at the Reed Art Gallery! We’ll be open 6:00–8:00 PM as part of the Presque Isle First Friday Art Walk, and we promise it’s worth braving the frigid temperatures.

Inside the gallery, you’ll find a vibrant, wide-ranging exhibition celebrating the imagination, skill, and lifelong curiosity of Houlton artist Roger Morin—including portraits, landscapes, surrealist scenes, powerful figure studies, and expressive self-portraits that trace his artistic evolution.

And yes… we have refreshments and a warm, welcoming space where you can thaw out, enjoy great art, and connect with fellow community members.

If you’re out for the Art Walk—or just need a break from the cold—stop in and experience this remarkable exhibition. We’d love to see you here!

Reed Art Gallery
University of Maine at Presque Isle
6–8 PM tonight

12/05/2025

12/01/2025

Visions Real and Surreal: Paintings by Roger Morin (1944–2019)

The Reed Art Gallery at the University of Maine at Presque Isle proudly presents Visions Real and Surreal: Paintings by Roger Morin (1944–2019). Drawn from the substantial collection of paintings bequeathed to UMPI, this exhibition highlights the extraordinary range of Morin’s artistic vision—from classical realism to Impressionism, Surrealism, figurative imagery, and Abstract Expressionism.

A self-taught painter, Roger Morin developed his formidable skills by studying and copying the works of great masters across centuries: the Italian Renaissance, the dramatic Baroque, the light-filled Impressionists, the dream worlds of the Surrealists, and the bold innovations of the Abstract Expressionists. This deep engagement with art history shaped his technical versatility as well as his imaginative breadth.

Throughout his career, Morin returned repeatedly to self-portraiture, painting himself in a wide range of styles, moods, and conceptual frameworks. These portraits served as both a record of his artistic development and an intimate documentation of his own aging and self-reflection.

In his youth, Roger was also a competitive bodybuilder, an experience that informed his interest in the expressive potential of the human form. Muscular physiques—idealized, symbolic, and allegorical—became a recurring subject in his work, reflecting his fascination with anatomy, strength, and the heroic figure.

Outside the studio, Morin was known as an avid chess master. A three-time Maine State Chess Champion, he also coached the Houlton High School chess team, mentoring young players with the same focus and dedication he brought to his painting. He was also an active member of the Houlton order of Masons, and his interests in science, philosophy, and history emerge throughout his paintings in symbolic imagery and layered narratives.

“I first met Roger in 2006, shortly after my arrival in Aroostook County, and we quickly formed a friendship rooted in our mutual love of art,” said Frank Sullivan, Director of the Reed Gallery. “We would often meet at each other’s studios to discuss painting techniques and art in general. He later became a chess mentor to my then 12-year-old son, teaching him the game and inviting him to join the high school chess team when he was still in seventh grade. I was always impressed by Roger’s commitment to excellence in everything he did, and his passion for continually learning more about the things he loved. I am excited to share this diverse selection of his work with the community.”

Together, the works in this exhibition reveal an artist of remarkable curiosity, imagination, and rigor—someone for whom painting was not only a craft, but a lifelong search for insight, expression, and meaning.

The exhibition will be on view from December 5, 2025 to February 21, 2026, with an opening reception scheduled to coincide with the Presque Isle First Friday Art Walk on Friday, December 5 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. The reception is free and open to the public, offering attendees the chance to meet with the gallery director and learn more about the artist and the featured works. Light refreshments will be served.

The Reed Gallery, located on the second floor of the Center for Innovative Learning in the heart of the UMPI campus. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend.

Gallery hours are:
Mondays through Thursdays from 8:00am to 9:00pm
Fridays 8:00am to 4:30pm
Sunday 2:00pm to 8pm

For further information, please contact Reed Art Gallery Director, Frank Sullivan:
Email: [email protected]
Mobile phone: (207) 694-1920

About the Reed Gallery
The Reed Gallery at the University of Maine at Presque Isle serves as a cultural hub for the campus and surrounding community, showcasing a variety of exhibitions that promote creativity, education, and artistic expression.

10/03/2025

The Reed Gallery will be open this evening from 6:00pm tp 8:00pm for the First Friday Art Walk. Our current exhibition is “Roots and Wings: Celebrating the work of UMPI Fine Arts Alumni”.

Featuring a wide range of media, from painting and drawing to sculpture, photography, and mixed media, the exhibition highlights the diverse paths and evolving visions of graduates who continue to shape the world through art. This special gathering of UMPI alumni artists celebrates the University’s legacy of fostering creativity, critical thinking, and expressive freedom. Each work reflects a unique voice, a deep connection to place, and the ongoing artistic growth that began in the studios of Pullen Hall. Artists featured in the exhibition include: Carol Ayoob, Karrie Brawn, Jami Cass, Miranda Cole, Jordyn Gardner, Brianna Gerrish, Amanda Giberson, Shani Hardgrove, Sandra Huck, Jim LaRoque, Shelby Pelletier, Rowena McPherson, Heather Nunez, Dylan Ouellette, Julia Sherman, and Jamie Smith.

Reed Art Gallery Director, Frank Sullivan says, “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to showcase the work of our Fine Arts alumni in the Reed Art Gallery. This exhibition is a celebration not only of the individual achievements of our graduates, but also of the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s long-standing commitment to the Fine Arts. Our program has fostered generations of artists whose diverse and meaningful contributions continue to enrich their communities and the broader cultural landscape. As both director of the gallery and a member of the Fine Arts faculty, I am honored to help shine a light on their important work.”

Join us for First Friday October 3, 2025 and help us honor the remarkable talents of UMPI’s Fine Arts alumni.

09/05/2025

In Loving Memory of Dr. Linda G. Zillman

It is with profound sadness and deep respect that I share news of the passing of Dr. Linda G. Zillman, cherished art historian, beloved advocate for the arts, and former First Lady of the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

Linda’s legacy is woven into the cultural tapestry of nearly every corner of Maine. At UMPI, she played a pivotal role in the acquisition and celebration of 153 original Andy Warhol photographs, a remarkable gift from the Andy Warhol Photographic Legacy Program. She not only helped bring this extraordinary collection to life but also authored two exhibition catalogues that illuminated their significance, enriching the artistic experiences of countless students and visitors.

Beyond UMPI, Linda’s vision reshaped the Maine art world. Alongside her husband Don, she served on the Alliance Board (now the Zillman Art Museum) for over 16 years, partnering with UMaine to oversee a transformative expansion of the University of Maine Museum of Art in Bangor. Their $1.3 million lead gift allowed the addition of five new galleries—expanding exhibition space by nearly 40%—and helped rebrand the institution as the Linda G. and Donald N. Zillman Art Museum.

Her love for the arts was not confined to academia. Linda’s leadership extended into Maine’s vibrant arts community—serving on the board of the Portland Ballet and actively supporting both the Wintergreen Arts Center and the Aroostook Partners in the Arts in Presque Isle, which foster artistic expression among local children. At UMPI, her generosity and forward-thinking spirit were also instrumental in establishing the Donald and Linda G. Zillman Family Professorship and the Zillman Family Greenhouse, both of which continue to impact the campus profoundly.

On a personal note, I will always remember Linda’s support and encouragement when I first arrived in northern Maine as a new artist in 2006. She and her husband welcomed me into the arts community, attended my earliest exhibitions here, and purchased original works from me on three occasions. Her kindness and belief in my work meant more than she could know, and I will always be grateful for the confidence she inspired in me.

Linda’s legacy will endure—through the art she helped preserve, the exhibitions she shaped, the institutions she strengthened, and the people she uplifted.

Thank you, Linda, for your unwavering dedication and boundless generosity. Your legacy resonates across each gallery hall, classroom, studio, and community you so lovingly served. You will be deeply missed, but your vision continues to guide us.

Frank Sullivan
Director, Reed Art Gallery and University Collections

09/01/2025

The Reed Art Gallery at the University of Maine at Presque Isle is proud to announce the opening of a dynamic new exhibition showcasing the creative achievements of alumni from the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Fine Arts BFA program. The exhibition, “Roots and Wings: Celebrating the work of UMPI Fine Arts Alumni” will open Friday September 5, 2025. The exhibition will be on display through November 14, 2025.

Featuring a wide range of media, from painting and drawing to sculpture, photography, and mixed media, the exhibition highlights the diverse paths and evolving visions of graduates who continue to shape the world through art. This special gathering of UMPI alumni artists celebrates the University’s legacy of fostering creativity, critical thinking, and expressive freedom. Each work reflects a unique voice, a deep connection to place, and the ongoing artistic growth that began in the studios of Pullen Hall. Artists featured in the exhibition include: Carol Ayoob, Aimee Beltran, Jami Cass, Miranda Cole, Jordyn Gardner, Brianna Gerrish, Amanda Giberson, Shani Hardgrove, Sandra Huck, Jim LaRocque, Shelby Pelletier, Rowena McPherson, Andrea Peterson, Dylan Ouellette, Julia Sherman, Jamie Smith, and Karrie Whisler.

Reed Art Gallery Director, Frank Sullivan says, “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to showcase the work of our Fine Arts alumni in the Reed Art Gallery. This exhibition is a celebration not only of the individual achievements of our graduates, but also of the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s long-standing commitment to the Fine Arts. Our program has fostered generations of artists whose diverse and meaningful contributions continue to enrich their communities and the broader cultural landscape. As both director of the gallery and a member of the Fine Arts faculty, I am honored to help shine a light on their important work.”

Join us for the opening reception on Friday September 5, 2025 and help us honor the remarkable talents of UMPI’s Fine Arts alumni.

The public is invited to attend the opening reception of the exhibition on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, as part of the Presque Isle First Friday Art Walk. The exhibition will remain on view through November 14, 2025 during regular gallery hours.

The Reed Art Gallery is located on the upper level of the Center for Innovative Learning on the University of Maine at Presque Isle campus, 181 Main Street in Presque Isle. Summer gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact Frank Sullivan at (207) 694-1920 or [email protected]

06/06/2025

With great sadness that I announce the passing of David C. Hitchcock on April 24, 2025, at his home in Portland, ME.

David Hitchcock was a devoted art collector and philanthropist whose life was deeply intertwined with the cultural fabric of Maine. Raised in Mars Hill, he was the son of Carl and Alice (Graves) Hitchcock. David’s passion for art was evident in his extensive collection, particularly the Carl and Alice (Graves) Hitchcock Collection (named in memory of David's parents), comprising over 400 works of art. This collection, which he generously placed on long-term loan to the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) beginning in 1995, includes works by important artists from Maine and the rest of the world. His intent was that the collection be shared with the UMPI community as well as residents of and visitors to Aroostook County. In 2023 he made the Collection a permanent gift to the University.

I first got to know David Hitchcock through almost daily emails that began shortly after I assumed the role of director of the Reed Art Gallery in 2019. I began researching the history of the Hitchcock Collection and immersing myself into the hundreds of artworks that David had collected over several decades. His passion for art and the artists who create it was apparent immediately. He would often send me emails requesting a photo of a specific piece in the collection or with an interesting anecdote about one of the many artists that he knew so well or the background and history of a certain painting or sculpture. He would suggest ideas for exhibitions and tell me of his dream of establishing a small art museum in his hometown of Mars Hill. David took a keen interest in the Reed Gallery and would sometimes send friends to visit the exhibitions. He would later contact me to tell me how pleased he was with the way that the works in his collection were being displayed.

David’s commitment to the arts extended beyond his collection. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of art and artists, especially artists from Maine, including Eric Hopkins, Natasha Mayers, Edwin Gable, John Swan, Thomas Nadeau, Ellen Gutekunst, Frederick Lynch, Michael Vermette, and more, many of whom he knew personally and collected their work throughout their careers. Even in recent years he continued to support young artists and always took an interest in their work. Last year he purchased a large sculpture from 2020 UMPI graduate Brianna Gerrish for our collection.

His art collection was an important part of his legacy, and he continually reminded me how important it was to him that the work be available and accessible for both study and enjoyment by the University of Maine at Presque Isle community and all the people of northern Maine. I was fortunate to visit with David a few times at his home in Portland, which was filled with beautiful works of art. I always left with my vehicle loaded up with more artwork that he wanted to add to our collection.

David Hitchcock’s unwavering dedication to the Fine Arts and his community serves as a testament to the profound impact one individual can have in nurturing and preserving cultural heritage. It was an honor and a privilege to have gotten to know him over the past five years, and I will always be immensely grateful for his immeasurable contributions to arts and to the University.

This Summer, the Reed Art Gallery will be presenting an exhibition of some of David’s favorite pieces in the Collection as tribute to his legacy and his invaluable contributions to the arts in Maine. More details to come.

Frank Sullivan
Director, Reed Art Gallery
University of Maine at Presque Isle

image: "Portrait of David Hitchcock" (detail) by John Sawn, oil on canvas, 1990, Carl and Alice (Graves) Hitchcock Collection

04/29/2025

This Friday at the Reed Gallery!
Senior Thesis Exhibition by Hannah Alley

04/29/2025

This Friday at the Reed Gallery!
Senior Thesis Exhibition by Andrew Serfes

04/22/2025

This Friday at the Reed Gallery! 6:00pm to 8:00pm

04/22/2025

This Friday at the Reed Gallery from 6:00pm to 8:00pm