WASHINGTON — The Gibbs Library, in Washington, presents an art show by Connie Bellet entitled “Legends and Legacies.” Many of the paintings have songs that go with them, which were recorded by Phil White Hawk and were part of a touring multimedia performance called “Inspirada Americana.” The art show will hang through January and February.
 
Connie Bellet has been drawing and painting since she could walk, mainly focusing on her animal friends at the St. Louis Zoo.

“It’s no wonder that she had a double major in Art and Biology at Grinnell College and the University of Minnesota,” said a Gibbs news release.

Upon moving to Spokane, Washington, she accepted a job as PR Director of the Walk in the Wild Zoo and was Assistant Manager of the Vanishing Species Pavilion at Expo ‘74, where she and her teacher, Rainbow Touraine, also hung a showing of their wildlife paintings.

Shortly after that, Bellet teamed up with singer-songwriter Phil White Hawk, and she painted the Native legends and songs that White Hawk composed for their touring live multimedia concerts, collectively called Inspirada Americana. Several of these major paintings are on display at the Gibbs Library from January 8 through February.

Bellet is also a modern master of the ancient art of scrimshaw, which will also be on display. She has carved designs on everything from elk teeth to walrus tusks and legal elephant ivory. Her wildlife scenes have gained an intercontinental audience and won prizes in international scrimshaw shows.

“My art is my legacy,” says Bellet. “I want to bring beauty and an appreciation of nature to people through my art.”

 
The artwork can be viewed at the Gibbs Library, 40 Old Union Road, Washington, Maine. Library hours are Mondays 4 pm-7 pm, Tuesdays, 9 am-12 pm and 4 pm-7 pm, Wednesdays 3 pm-6 pm, Thursdays 9 am-12 pm, and Saturdays 9 am-12 pm. For more information, call (207)845-2663