How to Visit Gleason Fine Art in Boothbay Harbor, Maine

Updated

Gleason Fine Art is open year-round at 31 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538, with regular hours Monday through Saturday, 10am–4pm. You can also visit anytime by appointment, which is the better choice if you want a focused viewing, are traveling from a distance, or need help with appraisal, consulting, or collection services.

Location and Hours at a Glance

Detail Information
Address 31 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Regular hours Monday–Saturday, 10am–4pm
Season Open year-round
Appointment option Visit anytime by appointment
Founded 1985, by the Gleason family

Boothbay Harbor is a midcoast Maine village, so the gallery sits within a walkable waterfront setting rather than an isolated art district. If you are planning a trip around the gallery, build your day around the 10am–4pm window and confirm before relying on a specific day.

What You Will See

The gallery describes itself as a curated space for contemporary Maine art alongside 20th-century works. Its holdings fall into a few clear groups:

  • Contemporary Maine artists — a roster of about 35 artists, including Henry Isaacs, Tom Curry, and Kevin Beers.
  • Early to mid-20th-century art — including Lynne Drexler, James Fitzgerald, and Abraham Bogdanove.
  • Artist estates — including the estates of Laurence Sisson, Martha Groome, and Dorothy Eisner.

That mix means a single visit can cover both living contemporary painters and historical Maine-linked work, which is unusual for a gallery of this size. Gleason Fine Art has also been a multi-year winner of Down East magazine's Best Gallery in Maine category, according to the gallery.

Services Beyond Looking

The gallery is not only a viewing space. Its stated services include:

  • Art appraisal — for a single artwork or an entire collection. Dennis Gleason is a certified member of the Appraisers Association of America.
  • Conservation, framing, and shipping guidance — recommendations and information for caring for and moving fine art.
  • Art collection and consulting — help building or managing a collection.
  • Delivery and hanging — personally delivering your fine art to you and helping you hang it.

If your reason for visiting is an appraisal or a consulting conversation rather than browsing, say so when you arrange the visit. Appraisal work depends on seeing the actual piece or collection, and the gallery notes certification through the Appraisers Association of America, so it is worth confirming scope and any requirements in advance.

How to Plan Your Visit

  1. Check the day. Regular hours are Monday–Saturday, 10am–4pm. The gallery is open year-round, but seasonal travel in midcoast Maine can affect your plans.
  2. Decide between drop-in and appointment. Drop in during regular hours for general browsing. Book an appointment if you want undivided attention, are bringing works for appraisal, or are discussing a collection.
  3. Bring what matters. For appraisal or consulting, bring any documentation you have about the work — provenance, prior receipts, or exhibition records — and be ready to describe how you acquired it.
  4. Ask about logistics early. If you purchase or consign, ask about shipping, framing, and delivery while you are there, since the gallery offers these as part of its service.
  5. Confirm before a long drive. Hours are published as Monday–Saturday, 10am–4pm, but a quick call or message before traveling avoids a wasted trip.

Common Questions

Is there a cost to visit? The gallery does not publish admission pricing, and nothing in its materials indicates a general entry fee. Treat any appraisal or consulting work as a separate service and ask about terms directly.

Can I visit outside regular hours? Yes — the gallery states you can visit anytime by appointment.

Do I need an appointment to buy art? No. Regular hours are designed for walk-in visits. An appointment simply gives you more focused time and guarantees attention for appraisal or consulting needs.

Where exactly is it? 31 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538, in the midcoast village of Boothbay Harbor.