About Courthouse Gallery Fine Art
Karin and Micheal Wilkes opened the Courthouse Gallery Fine Art on July 20, 2006. The opening reception for the inaugural exhibition, “Ellsworth Revisted: The Artist’s View” was attended by hundreds of guests anxious to see the art and the newly renovated historic courthouse (built in 1838 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places). The exhibit, curated by Carl Little and Karin Wilkes, featured original oil paintings of Ellsworth by Carrol Sargent Tyson, an American Impressionist (1878-1956), and new works using Ellsworth as the theme by 18 noted artists from the area. The ribbon cutting the previous morning was attended by Governor Baldacci.
The Wilkes bought the historic courthouse and registry from the City of Ellsworth in 2005 when the City put the municipal property out to bid based on the best idea for their historic preservation and the community. The Wilkes’ proposal to use the courthouse as an art gallery was approved unanimously. KMW DESIGN, a marketing and graphic design firm owned by Karin Wilkes, is located in the historic registry next door.
