
Thank You!
Another Sell-Out Crowd at Paint for Preservation
Thanks to everyone who made our 19th Annual Paint for Preservation another huge success!
On July 19th, more than 420 community members gathered to raise more than $150,000 for CELT’s mission of land conservation, stewardship and environmental education in Cape Elizabeth. This year, the event was graciously hosted by Maggie and Shaw Sprague, Jr. at their property overlooking beautiful Higgins Beach.
Thank you, Artists!
We’re grateful to the artists who come to brave Cape Elizabeth weather for three days and then for generously donate 50% of their art sales to support CELT’s land conservation, trails and nature programs in Cape Elizabeth!
Two Cape Elizabeth artists received record sales prices in the auction. In just one weekend, resident Cooper Dragonette painted a stunning depiction of the Spurwink Marsh from Sawyer Road, and native Matthew Russ thrilled the crowd with “Kettle Cove”. He shared his experience painting this year:


The title of the painting is Kettle Cove. I wanted to keep it simple and recognizable to the auction crowd, though I could have easily called it The Breakwater. As I set up my easel on Saturday morning, I was struck by the thin line of the breakwater connecting Richmond Island to the mainland. The tide was coming in, and the line was growing thinner and more tenuous. The weather was also changing, and the sky was in flux. These are the kind of conditions that highlight the challenges and rewards of plein air painting. Distilling a dynamic experience into a static image can feel like a fool’s errand, but it’s a worthwhile attempt if the result speaks to a wider audience. Such is the magic of Paint for Preservation, where every painting in the tent is an earnest attempt to celebrate Cape Elizabeth’s natural beauty, and the viewing audience is eager to join in the celebration.
Check out the other amazing works of art from P4P artists here!
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors!
Funds for CELT’s only annual fundraiser come from 50% of the art sales donated by the 31 artists, ticket sales, members of the Host Committee, business sponsors and community contributors.
This year’s lead sponsor at the Founder Level, Mary Libby of Mary Libby Living Real Estate, attended for many years before becoming a sponsor.
It was a true privilege to sponsor the 2026 Cape Elizabeth Land Trust Paint for Preservation event and a pleasure to spend such a beautiful afternoon alongside family, friends, and community members celebrating exceptional local artists while supporting an organization whose stewardship preserves the natural beauty and character of Cape Elizabeth for generations to come. The event was an outstanding success. I look forward to continuing my support as a sponsor in the years ahead. I encourage everyone to experience this remarkable event by purchasing tickets next year and joining in this wonderful celebration of art, conservation, and community.

CELT is grateful to all our sponsors (see all sponsors below) and the community businesses that donated:
- Fresh Pickins Farm Stand
- Jordan Farm
- Ocean House Bakery
- Pond Cove IGA
- and especially the Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth who once again provided expert parking assistance
Thank You, Volunteers!
More than 70 incredible volunteers give their time, energy, and spirit make the Paint for Preservation celebration of Cape Elizabeth’s natural beauty come to life. This event would not happen without them!








Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors!
Founder Sponsors:
Preservation Sponsors:

Conservation Sponsors:
- Attos Estate Jewelers
- GoGo Refill
- Progressive Dental Care
- Rarebreed Veterinary Partners
Stewardship Sponsors:
- Casco Bay Frames & Gallery
- Knickerbocker Group
- Tammaro Landscaping & Property Services, Inc.
- Veterinary and Rehabilitation Center of Cape Elizabeth
- Woodhull
With Special Thanks to:
- Mast Landing Brewing Co.
- Old Port Wine Merchants
- Orange Bike Brewing Co.
- South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club
- Ocean House Bakery
- Pond Cove IGA
- Fresh Pickins Farm Stand
Thank You P4P Host Committee
Host Committee members are those individuals who give extra support for the landscapes that inspire us while helping ensure they remain protected and cared-for for years to come. We are grateful for their contributions!
- Bob & Linda Ayotte
- Lynn Bailets & Katherine Crosson
- Paul Barresi
- Jean Brooks
- Chris & Mary Anne Cary
- Julian & Maryellen Coles
- Mary & Chris Copeland
- Kitty Coughlin & Randall Weill
- Grier & Jon Dienstag
- Claudia Dricot
- Michael & Denise Dubyak
- Nate Fick & Margaret Angell
- Carol Fritz
- Mike Hankes
- Whitney Hess & Fredrick Selby
- Anne Hill
- Colleen Hough
- Kathleen & Herb Janick
- Constance Jordan & Bruce MacVane
- Julia & Kevin Keiser
- Brigitte & Hal Kingsbury
- Bill Luneburg
- Bill & Nancy Marston
- Megan & Steve Maturo
- Suzanne & Neil McGinn
- Ellen Miller
- Joan & Dan Mulcahy
- Liz & Tom Murley
- Joanne Naso
- Stacy Olsen
- John & Donna Park
- Nicholas Park
- Eliza & Chris Rauscher
- Melissa Rose Redman & Charles W. Redman, III
- Jana Rich & Jill Nash
- Anya & Albert Salama
- Andy & Anne Stickney
- Will & Alison Stickney
- Corin Swift & Rafael Adams
- Kyle Taylor & Michael Dibella
- Chris Tullmann & Paige Teller
- Alison Whitmer Tumas & Michael B. Tumas
- David Wennberg & Anne Carney












