The Race: Reviving a Legendary Chapter in Maine Art History

More than a century ago, a small group of painters set out from New York City with an ambitious goal. Led by renowned American artist Robert Henri, they traveled north to the coast of Maine, passing through Boothbay Harbor before continuing to Monhegan Island—already gaining a reputation as one of the country's most extraordinary places to paint.

Once they arrived, the challenge began.

Rather than laboring over a single masterpiece, Henri and his fellow painters challenged one another to a race: who could complete the greatest number of successful paintings over the course of just a few days? They worked at a relentless pace, carrying their easels from rocky headlands to working wharves, chasing the changing light from sunrise to sunset. Every passing cloud, shifting tide, and changing shadow presented both an opportunity and a challenge.

The contest was about far more than speed, it demanded decisive observation, technical confidence, and an unwavering commitment to painting directly from life. The experience helped define an approach to plein air painting that emphasized spontaneity, discipline, and immersion in the landscape.

More than 120 years later, that remarkable chapter in Maine's artistic history is being brought back to life.

This September, acclaimed painter, educator, and James Fitzgerald scholar Michael Vermette will lead The Race, a one-of-a-kind immersive plein air workshop inspired by Henri's legendary painting challenge. Designed for artists looking to push both their creativity and endurance, the program recreates the spirit of those early Monhegan expeditions while introducing participants to some of Maine's most iconic painting locations.

The experience begins at Spruce Point Inn, where participants will gather before traveling to nearby Burnt Island for a full day of intensive plein air painting. From there, the group continues to Monhegan Island, where they will spend several days painting the same dramatic cliffs, coves, forests, and working waterfronts that have inspired artists for generations. Throughout the workshop, participants will create paintings from sunrise through nocturne sessions, producing work in both watercolor and oil while responding to the ever-changing conditions of the Maine coast.

Like Henri's original challenge, The Race encourages artists to work boldly and decisively. At the conclusion of the workshop, completed paintings will be evaluated for both their quality and quantity, with the winning artist receiving a brand-new French plein air easel—a fitting prize for an artist who has demonstrated both craftsmanship and perseverance in the field.

For Vermette, however, the greatest reward lies in the experience itself. As one of Maine's foremost authorities on James Fitzgerald and a lifelong student of the state's artistic traditions, he has designed The Race not simply as a workshop, but as an opportunity to experience the coast as its great painters once did—working outdoors, responding to the landscape in real time, and discovering how quickly observation can become expression.

Guests at Spruce Point Inn don't need to participate in the full workshop to experience Vermette's residency.

The weekend begins with the opening reception for Vermette's newest exhibition at Gleason Fine Art on Friday, September 18, offering visitors an opportunity to view his latest work and meet the artist. Throughout the weekend of September 18–20, Vermette will also lead watercolor classes at Spruce Point Inn, giving guests the chance to paint alongside one of Maine's most accomplished artists while learning techniques rooted in the traditions of James Fitzgerald and the Monhegan school. Before departing for Monhegan with his workshop participants, Vermette will also present a lecture exploring the rich history of art on the Maine coast and the remarkable painters whose legacy continues to shape the region today.

Whether you're an experienced painter, an admirer of Maine's artistic heritage, or simply curious about the stories behind the state's legendary art colonies, September offers a rare opportunity to experience that history where it happened—and, for a few unforgettable days, become part of it.

To learn more or to join the workshop yourself, click here.