Flowers Are the Focus of New Library Exhibit at PML

The new exhibit in the Community Room at Parsons Memorial Library is a celebration of all that blooms and features two different types of floral art - incredible paintings and gorgeous dried flower arrangements, each by talented local artists.

Kim Sweeting and her husband Jeff are the owner-operators of Whiskey and Wine Acres, a family farm here in Alfred. The farm specializes in organically grown flowers, garlic, vegetables, and herbs, which they sell at their farm stand from May to October.

But what’s sure to catch your eye if you drive by are their beautiful dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and bundles of lavender. These arrangements are colorful, eye-catching, and they smell lovely, as well.

On our wall, you can see a large wreath made from Sweet Annie, Double Mornada, Blue Grama Grass, and Celosial. A smaller wreath includes Sweet William, Celosia, and Grass, while floral shingles feature designs made from Ruby Celosia, Statice, Strawflower, and Pink Flamingo Celosia. All are available for purchase.

“It is truly an honor to have my dried florals showcased with fellow artists at Parsons Memorial Library (PML) this summer,” Kim Sweeting said. “PML has done a fantastic job in developing community programming and engaging with local artists, musicians and nonprofits. Our community is extremely fortunate to have such a great library in Alfred.”

Also on our Community Room walls is a series of flower paintings done by local artist Moe Auger. If you’ve been here for our Spooky Walk on Halloween in recent years, you’ve seen his giant pumpkins, expertly carved with eerie designs. Now you can view his stunning flower paintings, done between 2015 and 2022.

Auger is a retired art teacher and began carving massive pumpkins decades ago. He’s been featured in myriad newspapers and on television here in Maine. But while his pumpkin carvings are perhaps what he’s most known for, Auger is also a talented watercolor artist.

“I enjoy searching for the latest bloom in the garden and wanted to capture the moment and share it with the viewer,” Auger said.

You’ll find irises, daylilies, coneflowers, and even pink sunflowers among the paintings in the Community Room, the colors striking, with plays of light and movement.

We invite you to visit the library during open hours and enjoy this exhibit. For more information, please visit our website.