Meet the People
Artists, Local Guides, Craftsmen…
Over 150 years ago, Thoreau wrote extensively about the North Maine Woods and Frederick Edwin Church painted here. Both were influenced by the unspoiled beautiful surroundings which today essentially remain the same. It is no wonder that for hundreds of years–starting with the people of the Penobscot Nation—many artists, outdoor enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs are inspired to live and work in interior Maine.
Moose Prints Gallery display original art and iconic north Maine woods photographs. Talk to Mark Picard – renowned local wildlife photographer – and his partner Anita about opportunities for art retreats and scheduled photography workshops.
Want to know where to fish in the area? Just talk to Alvin Thierault in Stacyville (right on the byway between Sherman and Millinocket). Alvin was tying flies by the age of 12 and raising chickens for fly tying at 15 years old. Trust us, he know his stuff!
Registered North Woods Maine guides are outdoor enthusiasts like no other, and the Bywater region boasts a large number of guide services that offer various hunting and fishing expeditions for all levels of experience. Maine guides are reliable and knowledgeable and will set up everything for expedition participants including outfitting, sleeping arrangements, meals and proper permitting.
Looking for the most scenic ATV trails in the area? Talk to the folks at the Katahdin Valley Wheelers ATV Club – they can point you in the right direction.
Katahdin has been called Maine’s greatest treasure. In addition to the outdoor and sporting tradition that surrounds it, there is a distinct tradition of art. For more than a hundred years, some of the most prominent landscape painters—Marsden Hartley, Frederic Church, John Marin, and many others—have portrayed Katahdin. Art of Katahdin is the first book to catalog this tradition. Filled with hundreds of color artworks this books traces the artists who have worked at Katahdin, from the earliest renderings and maps of the area to contemporary views. The text follows some of the history of the region, as well as the artists’ ties to the mountain. Learn more
Did you know?
“While working for the Disney studio, Jake Maurice Day convinced Walt Disney that Bambi should be a white-tailed and not a mule deer. Jake then arranged for two, orphaned, Maine deer, Bambi and Faline, to be shipped to California as models for the illustrators. During production, Disney commissioned Jake and his closest friend, Lester Hall, to photograph the flora and fauna in the Katahdin region for the upcoming movie. As a result, many of the scenes and wildlife in Bambi are from the Baxter Park area.” Learn more
EXPERT SPOTLIGHT: ALVIN THIERAULT (Fishing spots in the Area)
RESOURCES
MARK PICARD – PHOTOGRAPHER
Mark Picard is a renowned landscape and wildlife photographer in the area. In addition to his, and partner Anita Mueller’s Maine woods inspired Moose Prints Gallery in Downtown Millinocket, they sponsor outdoor photography workshops “focused” on photographing the region’s spectacular landscapes and abundant wildlife including Moose. Learn More
ALVIN THERIAULT – FLY FISHING EXPERT
Alvin Theriault has tied flies for over 35 years and his shop in Stacyville is filled with countless natural and synthetic materials, furs, hackles, feathers, racks of tools, vices, threads and more. For anyone interested in fly fishing, Alvin is the person to see.
JEAN McLEAN – ARTIST
Jean McLean is a known Katahdin artist with a summer home and studio on Ambejejus Lake where she paints 7 months out of the year. Her home has a view of Katahdin that completely takes in all of the mountain, past Double Top Mountain–talk about inspiration! Jean has been painting from her summer home for 45 years . Learn more
TOM & SANDY BELL – NORTH WOODS TRADING POST
The North Woods Trading Post is the last stop for gas, gear and supplies before Baxter State Park & Mt. Katahdin. Owners Tom and Sandy Bell’s love of the area and the great Maine outdoors are obvious upon entering the store.
Learn more
BAXTER STATE PARK RANGERS – WILDLIFE EXPERTS
Baxter State Park Rangers are known for their high standards of commitment and dedication to the park. Their extensive knowledge of the landscape and wildlife are unparalleled, making a visit to Baxter State Park an unforgettable experience. Learn more
THE CHRISTIANSON FAMILY – MATAGAMON WILDERNESS CAMPGROUND
The Christianson Family offers not only a beautiful place to stay, but also deep knowledge of the area after many years of running their family campground. Always welcoming, learn why people come back year after year to the Matagamon Wilderness Campground. Learn more
BILL PATTERSON – NATURE CONSERVANCY NORTHERN MAINE PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Bill Patterson is the Northern Maine Program Director of The Nature Conservancy, one of the nation’s largest environmental preservationist groups. Bill works on forest conservation programs in Maine as well as stewardship of preserves in Maine’s North Woods. Learn more
Bill Patterson on YouTube
MATT POLSTEIN – NEOC
Matt Polstein founded New England Outdoor Center in 1982, and is considered to be one of the pioneers of Maine whitewater rafting. Matt is committed to promoting responsible shared use of the area’s natural resources and is focused on using nature, adventure, and cultural and heritage-based tourism to create memorable experiences and educational opportunities for area visitors. Learn more
