For many years now, I’ve been visiting this magical island ten miles off the coast of Maine. My first trip was in July of 2015, and I’ve eagerly returned every single year since.
When I think of what makes Monhegan special, I think of how I feel when I’m out here. I feel relaxed, unhurried, and inspired. I feel my body naturally tune in to the rhythms and flow of the sun and sea. Spending so much time outside, even in inclement weather, it’s hard not to feel recharged and rejuvenated. Slowing down, it’s hard not to let peace and contentment wash over you.
I think that’s what really makes the island so conducive to art-making. It’s not just the beauty, which is certainly abundant. It’s the freedom from the distractions and constraints of life on the mainland. It’s living close to nature and therefore living in the moment.
One of my favorite stories from the island came on my first overnight. My wife and I were sitting in lawn chairs at the Island Inn, looking out at a beautiful sunset, when we overheard a group of ladies chattering excitedly behind us. In thick New York/New Jersey accents, they exclaimed, “I just don’t get it. There’s nothin’ to do out here…” They continued on, blind to the beauty all around them and apparently missing the excitement of more commercial environments. We felt like leaning over and telling them, “That’s the whole point!” Instead, we just went back to enjoying the sunset and relaxing in a land where the news of the day didn’t reach us, where we could unplug and unwind, and let whatever happened, happen.
Although these people didn’t get it, many others obviously have. Artists have been visiting Monhegan for centuries, lured by its charms and eager to capture what makes this place special. They’ve picked up on the natural beauty in abundance, the way the light lingers and the weather seems to be constantly changing. They’ve also captured the human stories on the island, in arrangements of beautiful buildings along the paths and shorefront, and in portraits of people living, working, and even other artists making art.
In many ways, what draws the eye is contrast. Perhaps the most striking contrast is between the two sides of the island, the wild, rugged headlands on one side and the peaceful village on the other.
On the west side of the island, a mostly 19th century fishing village huddles around a natural harbor formed by Manana Island, which sits just a couple hundred yards away. Most of the houses are cedar shingled or painted white, with the notable exception of the lone red house just above Swim Beach. There are no car ferries, so the gravel roads are mostly filled with people walking, along with a few carts and working trucks that stay on the island permanently.
Lighthouse Hill stands in the center of the island, and a short, steep walk brings you to a commanding view of everything below. The lighthouse itself is stunning, with vernacular architecture of sprawling outbuildings and enclosed walkways connecting the keeper’s house and tower.
In addition to the wider scene, a number of interesting details can be found all around the village if you slow down and look deeper.
On the other, wild side of the island, 160 foot cliffs tower over a limitless ocean. A network of trails traverse the cliffs and wooded interior. I love visiting this side of the island at dawn, when it catches the first light of day, and during inclement weather. On rainy days, the well-known Cathedral Woods Trail is just one of many places to discover the smaller delights of nature.
We have three separate trips to the island this year, and spots on these trips are extremely limited. There are just a couple of openings left on our June and August trips.
June is the time to get out and see the spring flowers in bloom. The days are long and the twilight seems to last forever. The weather can change rapidly year-round, but this might be the most dynamic time of year. If you like passing showers and the edges of storms, like we do, this is a great trip for you.
On our August trip, warm summer days are tempered by the cooler air coming off the ocean. There’s a reason that people from all over the world flock to Maine this time of year, it’s the weather!
My hope is that in addition to the mild, pleasant weather we are known for, this year we might catch some thunderstorms in the distance over the mainland, or even possibly nearby!
September features some of my favorite conditions of the year, with low fog spilling over the meadow in the morning as the season changes from summer to fall and cooler air starts to filter in. Last year, we were lucky enough to encounter a hurricane, which passed just offshore and created the most dramatic light and wave conditions I’ve ever witnessed out there.
Another interesting feature of our September workshop is that we’ll be spending the afternoon and evening before we depart for Monhegan in Port Clyde. This quintessential fishing village is one of my favorite spots on the coast of Maine.
It doesn’t matter if you are just a beginner or an already experienced photographer. We aim to provide an immersive learning experience in a place that couldn’t be more conducive for it.
We lodge together at the Monhegan House and enjoy group breakfast and dinners, along with classroom time dedicated to image reviews and lectures. It’s all about helping you grow and providing a great experience. The camaraderie that develops on these trips is amazing. Often our students make lifelong friends and come back with us again on this trip or one of the other trips that we offer.
To learn more, just visit our website and check out all of the details in the workshop section. We will take applications in order of receipt. If you wish to make a gift, special workshop gift certificates are available.
We hope you’ll join us in this amazing place!
Sincerely,
Ben
Well said Ben! a special place...
So beautiful!