Culture & Tours

At ArtWaves, we connect the community with art. A simple concept with boundless opportunity. Art for everyone. Children, high schoolers, summer visitors, seasonal workers, year-round professionals. Working and emerging artists. Stop by. Take a class. Attend a workshop. Become a member. We need your support to sustain a rich, vibrant and enlivened arts culture on Mt. Desert Island. We offer a wide array of classes and workshops for the beginner, intermediate, advanced and curious artists in our community. Drop-in for Figure Drawing Spend an evening Sipping and Printing (21+) Try your hand at Sculpting or painting – Plein Air, oil, watercolor, charcoal Take a class or attend a workshop in monoprinting, fiber arts, stained glass Bring your little ones to Art for Those Under Three Send your older kids to get an art studio experience with artists working in a variety of media Art is for everyone and that includes you! Check us out at ArtWavesmdi.com ArtWaves is now located next to the Town Hill Market – 1345 A. Rte. 102, Town Hill -- Bar Harbor.

Named a Best of New England destination by Yankee magazine in May of 2013 and one of the 50 Things to Do in Maine This Summer by the Bangor Daily News, The Naturalist's Notebook combines nature, science, arts and the frontier of knowledge in fun, engaging installations and activities. The original Notebook exploratorium in Seal Harbor offers three floors of interaction, shopping and learning for all ages. Smaller Naturalist's Notebook Annex spaces have opened on Main St. in Northeast Harbor and (as of Aug. 1) on the town green Bar Harbor. Open 10-5 every day from late June to late October in Seal Harbor and Northeast Harbor and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day through late October in Bar Harbor.The Notebook is just a short drive from Bar Harbor or Northeast Harbor. It's a great rainy-day (or sunny day) place for families or anyone who's even slightly curious about the world and the universe.

Sharon Joyce is a trainer/educator/chef and studied in Advanced French Cooking and French Pastry at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. In 1981 she opened and operated a catering business and cooking school in Chicago and the Virgin Islands. She has taught various cooking classes including French, American and Cruzan in such locations as Chicago, Bar Harbor, California, and Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S.V.I. She was fascinated by Maine cooking and the abundance of local foods when she moved to Bar Harbor 25 years ago. The regional cooking of Maine brings together history and the availability of foods. Too much great Maine food to try and not enough time? The Regional Cooking of Maine . Le Cordon Bleu trained chef will explain history and foods of Maine. You will learn history, food facts, techniques and traditional recipes while tasting such favorites as lobster, blueberry muffins, etc. 2 ë_ hr Chowder and Popovers, please ! The meal that Mainers ask for and savor. Learn the Maine historical tradition of chowders and the technique to be successful at making a varieties of perfect popovers. After tasting the Corn chowder and popovers made during the class, you will want to duplicate these recipes at home. 2 1/2 hr. CALL OR EMAIL FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION AND INSURE A SPACE 207-288-4523 email at info@ambrosiacookingschool.com

The mission of the Abbe Museum, Maine’s first and only Smithsonian Affiliate, is to inspire new learning about the Wabanaki Nations with every visit. The Abbe works closely with the Wabanaki people to share their stories, history, and culture with a broader audience. With a collection of over 50,000 archaeological, historic and contemporary objects, the Museum's collections conservation program is recognized nationally as a model for museums. The Abbe holds the largest and best-documented collection of Maine Native American basketry in any museum. Historic Abbe at Sieur de Monts Spring is open May-October. Admission charged at both locations.

Promotes the study and understanding of the people and history of Mount Desert Island and of history's relevance today. We celebrate the lives of the people, their traditions and the events that have shaped and continue to shape island history.

We offer 2 unique walking tours - one is an evening lantern-led tour showcasing the history and mystery of Bar Harbor, the other is an afternoon historical tour of Bar Harbor's waterfront and maritime background. Open May through October.