ROCKPORT — Georges River Land Trust (GRLT) has partnered with The Riley School in Rockport, through the Langlais Art Loan Program. Several original paintings by Bernard Langlais, owned by the Georges River Land Trust and on loan from the Langlais Sculpture Preserve in Cushing, now hang in the pottery studio, young children’s room, and library at The Riley School.

The gift of the Langlais Sculpture Preserve from the Kohler Foundation in 2015 to Georges River Land Trust included Langlais’ home and studio, as well as a dozen outdoor sculptures and many study collection works on paper, canvas, wood and masonite. As Langlais was prolific during his 10 years in Cushing, his estate included several thousand sculptures, large and small, as well as indoor paintings and drawings.

Nearly 60 institutions in Maine benefited from a collaborative gift from Colby College and the Kohler Foundation of Langlais’ works that are identified at the LanglaisArtTrail.org website and can be seen in person. Many of his study collection pieces remained on the property and are now stewarded by the Georges River Land Trust, as part of the Langlais Sculpture Preserve.

The Loan Program, with assistance from the Wyeth Foundation for American Art, has allowed the Land Trust to prepare some of these works for display and share Langlais’ creative genius in the community, according to GRLT, in a news release.

Rebecca Clapp, Head of School at The Riley School, welcomes the original art for her community of students and families and the opportunity to support the outreach efforts of the Georges River Land Trust.

“We are very pleased to partner with Georges River Land Trust and display these engaging works by the Maine artist Bernard Langlais on our campus,” said Clapp. “His work captures the creative spirit we encourage in our children. We imagine these works will further inspire our faculty and children to create ways to connect to the Langlais Sculpture Preserve.” 

Since 1972, The Riley School has been providing children with a nurturing creative learning environment for elementary school students. 

Other local public institutions interested in displaying pieces of Langlais’s work in the community may reach out to the Georges River Land Trust.

Organized in 1987, the Georges River Land Trust works to conserve the ecosystems and traditional heritage of the Georges River watershed region through permanent land protection, stewardship, education and outdoor experiences. For more information, visit Georges River Land Trust’s website (www.GeorgesRiver.org) or call (207) 594-5166 for more information.