Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
CARRABASSETT VALLEY — The Carrabassett Valley Public Library & Community Center has announced the opening of the “Art for Uncle Al” exhibition, dedicated to the memory of Alexander Scheeren and providing a giving opportunity to benefit the Uncle Al Fund.
In the Carrabassett Valley Scheeren was happy to call home for nearly 50 years, he was known simply as Uncle Al. Cultivating his natural ability through formal training on violin and trombone, Scheeren was comfortable on any stage, but he was most at ease when he was close to home, improvising melodies with an impish enthusiasm and navigating his way downstream “playing by ear.” He was beloved by his friends and neighbors for his spirit, his wry wit and humor, and his warm and compassionate nature. Everybody’s uncle and nobody’s fool, Scheeren played from the heart, spoke his mind, and shared his soul.
The Uncle Al Fund is an endowed, component fund of the Maine Community Foundation — a scholarship fund providing financial assistance to musicians residing in Franklin or Somerset counties pursuing further instruction or musical development on their chosen instrument(s). Preference will be shown to musicians who play acoustic instruments, including “voice.”
The “Art for Uncle Al” exhibition will continue through the end of December. The library board of directors will host a gala reception Friday, Dec. 29, at the center, 3209 Carrabassett Drive #3. The public is invited to see the exhibition during the months of November and December, to arrange for a purchase from the exhibit, and to join the celebration of Art for Uncle Al.
The exhibition will include works by artists who were friends of Uncle Al, all of whom have donated their art to the exhibition. Ninety percent of any sale will go to the Uncle Al Fund; 10 percent to the library. The participating artists are Betsy Bass, Rommy Brown, Karen Campbell, Claudia Diller, Mike Gerstner, Parker Hall, Magi Leland, Abbott Meader, John & Cindy Orcutt, Patty Ritzo, Marguerite Robichaux, Gail Rowe, Jan Royall, Fritz Scheeren, Barbara Sullivan, Carol Tanner and Hugh Verrier.
Information about applying for this scholarship will be available in early January 2018 on the Maine Community Foundation’s website at www.mainecf.org/Scholarships/AvailableScholarships.aspx under the sections for Franklin and Somerset counties.
