An exhibition of selected canvases that artist Duncan Martin painted over the course of five years as part of his “58 in 58” series depicting all of the 59 national parks in the the United States opened at Schoodic Institute.

The “58 in 58” project involved Martin painting his way through all 59 national parks in the course of as many months, and was completed earlier this year in time for the Centennial celebrations of both Acadia National Park and the National Parks Services. Known for his sumptuous landscape paintings, which are reminiscent of Marsden Hartley and the California Impressionists, Martin began the project in March of 2011 in Canyonlands National Park and concluded the tour in February 2016 in Glacier National Park. To date, more than 150 canvases and studies have been painted, ranging in size from 6” x 8” to 72” x 84”.

In addition to the exhibition at Schoodic Institute, Martin will be featured in a two-person exhibition with artist Jill Hoy at Sam Shaw’s Gallery in Northeast Harbor, which opens on Thursday, August 18th.

“Schoodic Institute is a perfect venue for this celebratory exhibition,” said Martin. “Acadia was my first and certainly most frequently visited national park. I have painted from the cliffs of Isle au Haut, scaled Precipice Trail and been drenched by waves on Schoodic Point. I am pleased to have the opportunity of exhibiting Acadia paintings in the park, as well as several canvases painted in other national parks around the country.”

A native of Delmar, New York, whose family’s summer home is in Deer Isle, Maine, Martin studied with renowned Maine painter Neil Welliver at the University of Pennsylvania, receiving an MFA in 1986. He is just finishing a one year sabbatical from Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, where he has been a Professor of Art for more than a decade.

Schoodic Institute is an independent 5013c nonprofit organization committed to guiding present and future generations to greater appreciation and understanding for nature by providing research and learning opportunities through its outstanding Acadia National Park setting, unique coastal Maine facilities and innovative partnership programs.