Merrymeeting Arts Center Opens 2026 with Bryce Muir Legacy for Ice-Smelt Festival

Merrymeeting Arts Center in Bowdoinham opens its 2026 season with “The Bryce Muir Legacy,” a festival‑timed exhibition running Saturday, Feb. 28 and Sunday, March 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. during the town’s Ice & Smelt Festival weekend, and “This exhibition is free to the public.” The Portland Press Herald ran a local arts preview on Feb. 25, 2026 announcing MAC’s schedule for the festival weekend.

The show honors Bryce Muir, a prolific Bowdoinham artist known for animated wooden portraits, mythic sculptures, local paintings and thematic lawn ornaments such as his “Alice in Wonderland” croquet set. Muir published two books — “Local Myths” and “Lawn Wars” — built his own wooden sailboat, played in the local Blues Buzzards band and is described in MAC materials as an avid outdoorsman and music lover. Peggy Muir, Bryce’s wife of 36 years, created Merrymeeting Arts Center in his memory as a center dedicated to offering art for everyone.

Merrymeeting Arts Center’s institutional history and mission are part of the exhibition context: the gallery opened in September 2007 and states, “Merrymeeting Arts Center encourages art, education and community celebrating the cultural heritage and natural environment of Merrymeeting Bay.” MAC materials add that “Since opening in September 2007, Merrymeeting Arts Center has been an active member of the Bowdoinham community, providing a place where children and adults can participate in and enjoy the arts.” The organization lists values of “egalitarianism, whimsy, environmental consciousness and diversity,” notes that “The ‘S’ in Merrymeeting Arts Center is intentional,” and explicitly draws on Bryce Muir’s broad definition that “Bryce viewed ‘the arts’ in the broadest sense and ‘artists’ as all those who make art in any genre.”

MAC will anchor a cluster of festival activities at its gallery and studio at 9 Main St, Bowdoinham, where the MAC Studio will host the family workshop “Do You Wanna Build a Snow Globe?” on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. MAC’s workshop invitation reads, “Go by the studio and make a sparkling, delightful winter memory along the Cathance River.” A $5 suggested donation is requested for materials and “The Heron fund is available, if needed.” Additional MAC class offerings slated for 2026 include Book Binding for Kids and Adults, Photography Mini Camp and Make Your Own Holiday Cards.

Bowdoinham’s town schedule frames the weekend: the Ice & Smelt Festival runs Feb. 27–March 1, 2026, beginning with a 5:00 p.m. Owl Prowl on Friday led by KELT & Maine Master Naturalists at Cathance Meadow Trails (attendees told to bring headlamps & traction gear). Saturday’s festival slate includes MAC’s Bryce Muir Exhibit 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., an Ice Harvesting Exhibit at Merrymeeting Hall 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Hot Beverages & Art at Cathance River Gallery 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Movie Night: The Secret of NIMH 3:00 p.m. at Old Town Hall, a Potluck Supper at 6:00 p.m. and a 7:00 p.m. Dance Party at Watersong Music.

Sunday’s programming includes the Bryce Muir Exhibit 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Bowdoinham Fire Dept. Ice Rescue Demos at Mailly Park 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., the God Invented Chocolate Celebration sponsored by the Nazarene Church at the Fire Station 12:15 p.m.–2:00 p.m., a Snack Shack at the Recreation Fields 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. by Age Friendly, and a Take‑Out Soup Supper 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. by the Bowdoinham Food Pantry.

MAC’s calendar also lists an upcoming show after the festival: “Beholding in Silence: Paintings by Dan Warren – Opening reception Saturday, March 7, with artist’s talk at noon. Additional showings 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 14 and 21.” For practical information, the Town of Bowdoinham office is at 13 School Street with office hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:30–4 and Wednesday 11–6; the town recycling center is at 121 Pond Road (Thursday, Saturday 8–4; Tuesday 12–6 p.m.) with phone 207‑666‑5531 and fax 207‑666‑5532.

Artists and community members with entries for related adult‑education programming should note the contest instructions: “Bring your artwork to our Topsham office by Thursday 2/5.” Voting follows: “Voting will take place in‑person at our office Monday 2/9 - Friday 2/27, during normal business hours.” The prize: “The artwork with the most votes will receive a FREE class prize, valued at $170.” For more information about MAC programs and events, MerrymeetingArtsCenter.org and programs@MerrymeetingArtsCenter.org are listed as contacts.