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The photography of Peter Southwick.  Former Boston Globe Photo Editor, Boston University photo journalism professor and AP photographer Peter Southwick shares some of his favorite photos in an exhibit called Where I’ve Been, What I’ve Seen. Exhibit open in the upstairs Gallery whenever the Opera House is open including Tuesday-Friday from 10-2, and prior to and during all performances for performance ticket holders.  Due to popular demand this show will continue to be on exhibit throughout the fall of 2025. If you haven’t seen it yet, please stop by and take a journey through images.

Note: The Opera House is deeply saddened to share the news of Peter Southwick’s death on September 15 – the exhibit of his photography will remain up for the remainder of the year in our gallery. We are all honored that he shared his photography talents with us over the years, capturing the performers on our stage, for all time in a series of memorable images. He leaves a legacy of unforgettable images taken during his long career as a photo journalist, and more importantly he leaves a legacy of integrity and kindness. May the trip to the Heavens be even more Heavenly than your images of New Zealand!

Exhibit May 16-June 2025

Following his graduation from Boothbay Region High School in 1969 Tim Sample studied art at what is now MECA –The Maine College of Art in Portland.   Over the course of the next decade from 1970-1980 his prolific output as a professional artist and illustrator included, “The Mainers” a bestselling annual Maine humor calendar, several books of down east humor including regional bestsellers “How to Talk Yankee” written by Tim’s former BRHS English teacher Gerald Lewis and “Stories Told in the Kitchen” by Maine storyteller Kendall Morse.  During this decade Tim also created several popular T-shirt designs, corporate logos, advertising art and an original greeting card line -“Veg-O-Grams”, which was sold nationwide, including at Macy’s Department Store in New York City!    With the release of his first album of Maine humor in 1980, Tim’s increasing success as a performing artist inevitably tended to overshadow his art projects. But he never stopped drawing!  In the early 80’s Tim spent almost four months designing and executing a large, (12.5’ X 28’) oil painting, on the dome of the Pittsfield Public Library, in Pittsfield, Maine. The mural entitled “Reading, the Gateway to Imagination continues to attract visitors to Pittsfield.  The artwork and illustrations in this show are mostly from the 1970’s but also include work from the 80’s and beyond, including cover art and illustrations from Tim’s regional bestseller “Saturday Night at Moody’s diner” published in 1985. Gallery open Tuesday-Friday from 10 am – 2 pm, and open for ticket holders during all May and June performances.