Susan Tobey White paints the Lobstering Women of Maine series

Belfast bookstore to hear from author of book featuring Maine women in the lobster industry

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    BELFAST — Left Bank Books, in downtown Belfast invites the public to a fun evening on Thursday, June 15, at 7 p.m., to celebrate the just-released book Lobstering Women of Maine: Paintings and Stories of Women and Girls Who Fish the Maine Coast by Belfast artist and educator Susan Tobey White.

    White’s book features eighteen Maine women who work in today’s lobster fishing industry. Her paintings tell the story of the hard work and long hours these women put in daily to be successful in a business dominated by men.

    Each two-page spread in Lobstering Women features a photograph and brief story about the woman being profiled as well as a full-page image of White’s original acrylic painting. The women featured range from ten-year-old Norah who fishes in Wells to 102-year-old Virginia who fishes out of Rockland with her 78-year-old son. Virginia, who is known worldwide as the “Lobster Lady,” learned to haul traps when she was only seven or eight years old.

    In between, White profiles a former Maine state legislator, a woman who earned her captain’s license at age 45, and a current student at the University of Maine, among thirteen others.

    Susan Tobey White is known for her colorful and vibrant paintings of faceless dancers, food, and Maine scenes. She worked as an elementary art teacher for fourteen years before retiring and opening High Street Studio & Gallery in downtown Belfast. There, she showed her own work and that of others for fifteen years. As a teacher, she is certified through Golden Acrylics, Inc., and Silver Brush as one of their Artist Educators.

    White began painting the Lobstering Women of Maine series in 2018. The initial thirteen paintings—there are now 24 in the series—were displayed at the Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport in 2019. White’s work is in private collections throughout the United States and internationally.

    Reservations for this free event are strongly recommended by calling the shop (207.338.9009) or emailing: info@leftbankbookshop.com. Free parking is available in front of the shop and in an adjacent public parking lot.

    Event Date: 

    Thu, 06/15/2023 - 7:00pm

    Event Location: 

    Left Bank Books

    Address: 

    Left Bank Books
    Belfast, ME 04915
    United States