Deer Isle Artists Association
Founded in 1973, the DIAA is the oldest and most established artist community on the island — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with around 100 member artists running a gallery at 15 Main Street. Membership spans painters, sculptors, printmakers, jewelers, photographers, and fiber artists from across Maine and beyond.
The Deer Isle Artists Association was formed in 1973 by local artists who wanted both a gallery space and a framework for community. It operates as a nonprofit member association open to artists and patrons at any level — professional, emerging, or simply interested in the visual arts. There's no Maine residency requirement, though most members live on the island at least part of the year.
The membership sits around 100 people, and the gallery at 15 Main Street runs rotating solo and group exhibitions from May through September. The format isn't fixed: member artists cycle through the space, giving the gallery a different look from one visit to the next. Year-round, the association supports educational outreach and community programming — bringing artists together with students and the broader community for discussions and events.
The DIAA gallery has been operating in various locations since 1973 — including the Seamark Building on Church Street, which it used from 1979 to 1995 — before settling at 15 Main Street. The Bay Community Register described it as keeping "the artistic juices flowing even during the darkest winter months," which may be the most accurate summary of what a member-run nonprofit gallery in a small seasonal town actually does.
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Tue–Sun 10 AM–5 PM, approximately May 28–Oct 11 (2024 dates); winter window exhibitions 24/7
What Visitors Say
"Went during the 12x12 exhibit of local artists. It was a very wide array of subjects and styles, and an interesting way to feature so many different artists"
"Lovely place, local artists. They rotate their showings so its nice to come back and see what was new."
"Great selection and beautiful art"
Local Tips
- The gallery runs May–September; exhibitions rotate, so checking the DIAA website or contacting them before visiting helps confirm what's currently on.
- Membership is open to all — download the membership package from the DIAA website if interested.
- The Main Street location is central to Deer Isle Village, walkable from most village businesses.
- Exhibition openings tend to draw members and community — watch the calendar for opening events.
Connected To
- The Turtle Gallery — the most established commercial gallery on the island, operating since 1982, showing work from many DIAA-connected artists
- Haystack Mountain School of Crafts — Deer Isle's internationally known craft school; many DIAA members are Haystack faculty or alumni
- Devta Doolan Studio — jewelry and craft studio also on Main Street in Deer Isle Village
- Red Dot Gallery — collective gallery also in Deer Isle Village with Haystack-connected membership