Bernard Langlais Art Reception at Thomaston Public Library, Friday, January 24, 5:00 to 6:30 PM

Thomaston, Maine - The Thomaston Public Library will host a reception on January 24th to display the wood-sculptured artworks of Maine artist Bernard Langlais, which were gifted to the library late in 2013 and will now be on permanent display. The pieces are wood-relief wall hangings, two of them abstract and three figurative.

In 2010, Colby College received a large bequest of artworks by Bernard “Blackie” Langlais (born in Old Town, Maine) from the artist’s widow, Helen Langlais, along with the couple's 90-acre property in Cushing. Recognizing the site's importance, Colby contacted Kohler Foundation of Wisconsin about possible preservation of the collection and site.

Colby made a gift of nearly 3,000 Langlais artworks to Kohler Foundation, who preserved and gifted these works, which include wood reliefs, paintings, sculptures, and works on paper, to non-profit institutions throughout Maine and the United States. Thomaston Public Library is pleased to be one of those recipients.

Kohler Foundation is also conserving the outdoor sculptures on the Cushing property. A portion of the estate will be preserved as a sculpture park and will be named in honor of Bernard and Helen Langlais. The Georges River Land Trust of Rockland, Maine, will take ownership of the property and will collaborate with the Colby Museum on programming at the site.

The reception at the library on Friday, January 24, will provide the first opportunity for the local community to see the Langlais pieces the library has acquired. The reception will also feature detailed information about Bernard Langlais's life and work.

The Thomaston Public Library is located at the old Academy Building at 60 Main St. in Thomaston. Parking is located at the rear.