News

Don't delay — hurry up and join us for the Gilley's 2026 Winter Session!

We are open Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm each day, and on certain other days and evenings for programs including our signature monthly series, People-Nature-Art, and various workshops. Please check the calendar here on our website for the latest information.

You can also sign up for the monthly newsletter at the bottom of the home page.

The Gilley is delighted to announce the addition of Diana Malcom to the Museum staff as Office Manager.

Diana lives in Southwest Harbor with her husband, Blair. They recently moved to Mount Desert Island from State College, Pennsylvania, where Diana provided senior administrative support at Penn State University's Child Maltreatment Center.

She and Blair enjoy spending time with their adult children: Lydia, who lives in the Pacific Northwest; and Wilson & Ellinor, who live in Sweden. Diana's favorite place is the outdoors, where she spends a good deal of time; and in the kitchen where she loves to create. 
 

Diana lives in Southwest Harbor with her husband, Blair. They recently moved to Mount Desert Island from State College, Pennsylvania, where Diana provided senior administrative support at Penn State University's Child Maltreatment Center.

She and Blair enjoy spending time with their adult children: Lydia, who lives in the Pacific Northwest; and Wilson & Ellinor, who live in Sweden. Diana's favorite place is the outdoors, where she spends a good deal of time; and in the kitchen where she loves to create. 
 

The Gilley is delighted to announce the addition of Mae Wyler to the Museum staff as Development Director.

Mae brings a Bachelor's of Business Administration in Accounting, and extensive experience in municipal finance to the Museum, along with a wealth of volunteer work in nonprofit fundraising and wildlife conservation.

An avid naturalist and citizen scientist, she enjoys playing trivia; birding; watercolor and acrylic painting; running 5Ks with her husband, Jake Wright, and their black lab mix, George; and exploring her interests in British history, herpetology, and of course, ornithology. She lives on Mount Desert Island.

The Wendell Gilley Museum will be closed to the public from December 15 through January 8, 2026. Beginning January 9, 2026, the Museum will resume its usual winter schedule of being open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm each day, with some programs and events at other times.

See you in 2026!

The Gilley is running a sale in the Museum Store between now and Dec. 15. Everything except consignment items is 10% off for non-members and 20% off for Museum members – that includes art, carving supplies, ornaments and cards, toys, books, jewelry and more.

The Museum is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm through Saturday, Dec. 13; and on Sunday, Dec. 14 from 1 to 4pm.

Did you create art with the Gilley this year? We want you to be part of our annual Community Art Show & Open House on Sunday, Dec. 14!

Submit something you created at the Gilley for this year's show by emailing Director of Engagement Melinda Rice-Schoon at mel@wendellgilleymuseum.org or by calling 207-244-7555. Please let us know by Thursday, Dec. 11. We need your name, the name of your artpiece, and the material it’s made of. The Museum is closed to the public Mondays-Thursdays right now, but staff is on site and working, so ring the bell if you come by.

The People-Nature-Art presentation with Mattie Rose Templeton has been moved from Tuesday, Dec. 2 to Wednesday, Dec. due to the impending storm. Please join us Wednesday at 6pm for an artist’s reception in person, followed by her presentation at 7pm both online and in person.

Both are free, but registration is required. Sign up at www.wendellgilleymuseum.org/calendar.

Western Maine artist Mattie Rose Templeton is inspired by the natural world, and through art she explores our connection to nature, including the undeniable fragility that is found there. Her goal is to produce art that moves the viewer beyond the piece itself, and into a place of storytelling. “Art has always been a way to record history through visual storytelling,” she says. She works primarily in pen-and-ink and watercolor.

Please contact Director of Engagement Melinda Rice-Schoon with any questions at mel@wendellgilleymuseum.org.

Last Chance! Don’t miss  “Memories Fly Home,” the exhibit of stunning textile works created with English Paper Piecing and Silkshading techniques by MDI native Sarah Matthewson, currently on display in the Museum’s special exhibit gallery. It closes this Saturday, Nov. 1 at 4pm; last entry to the museum is at 3:30pm.

Inspired by the exhibit, the Gilley is offering a landscape embroidery class that day from 10:30am to 1pm taught by Emma Mary Murray. No experience necessary. It will start with the basics of embroidery – from choosing colors to threading needles and tying knots – then Emma will show students how to depict light and topography with thread. Bring images of landscapes that are special to you, or use an image available at the Gilley. All materials are provided. The cost is $57 for Museum members and $65 for non-members. Class size is limited. Sign up at www. wendellgilleymuseum.org/calendar