PHOTOS: Reflecting on the 2025 Student Art Show at Barn Gallery in Ogunquit, Maine

For 45 years, Barn Gallery in Ogunquit, Maine, has dedicated the month of May to showcasing the creativity of K-12 students, and this year’s Annual Student Art Show was no exception. From May 9-11, 2025, the gallery buzzed with excitement as young artists, their families, and art enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the next generation of Maine’s creative talent.

Walking into the gallery on opening night (May 9th), the energy was palpable. The walls were filled with a vibrant mix of mediums — watercolor landscapes, bold abstract paintings, intricate jewelry, and even sculptural pieces — each one owing to the skill and imagination of Southern Maine’s student artists. The opening reception (4-6 PM) drew a steady crowd, with young creators proudly standing beside their work, explaining their processes and inspirations to visitors.

What makes this Student  Art Show exhibition so special is its deep roots in Ogunquit’s artistic legacy. For decades, Barn Gallery has been a launching pad for emerging artists, and many of this year’s participants are following in the footsteps of parents or even grandparents who once displayed their own early works in the same space. That sense of tradition was evident in the pride on both the students’ and their families’ faces — a reminder that art is not just about individual expression, but also about community and continuity.

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Photos of the 2025 Annual Student Art Show at Barn Gallery (by OAA Artist Member + President of the Ogunquit Arts Collaborative, Deidre O’Flaherty)

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Over the weekend (May 10-11, 1-4 PM), Barn Gallery remained a lively destination as more visitors stopped by to admire the Student Art exhibition. Some lingered over detailed pencil sketches, while others marveled at the bold experimentation in mixed-media pieces. The diversity of styles and subjects reflected the unique perspectives of these young artists, offering a glimpse into the future of Maine’s art scene.

This year’s show, generously sponsored (once again) by Dr. Gary W. Tirrell, underscored the importance of supporting young creatives. For the students, seeing their work in a professional gallery was an affirmation of their potential. For attendees, it was a chance to witness the early stages of what could become lifelong artistic journeys.

If you missed this year’s Student Art Show at Barn Gallery, be certain to mark your calendar for next May — because this is one event that continues to inspire, year after year.