Down East Magazine, June 2026

Features The New Wave Droves of painters have found their way to Maine over the centuries, drawn to glancing light, lush woods, and rocky shores. Who are the next great Maine artists? By Michael Colbert and Charlie Pike East Is Eden In the farthest down east corner of this farthest down east state, photographer Benjamin Williamson pursues puffins and, along the way, captures the sublime beauty of wooded and rocky shores. By Will Grunewald The French Connection Through highs and lows, blizzards and wars, Mainers have held on to hard-won ties with their Francophone neighbors north of the border. By Sam Yankee Where in Maine Dooryard North by East Small World In Castine, a school for miniaturists is a pretty big deal. Maine Moment Making a Splash In Boothbay Harbor, love for quirky maritime style runs deep. Dessert Island Have your cake with a sunset view on Monhegan Island. Fine Print A brick-and-mortar love letter to magazines. Lake Effect A waterfront camp anchors a couple in a remote spot. Blast from the Past At an old-school burger joint, a chef returns to his roots. Thinking Big In a Doxmont garden, peonies have an outsize impact. Maine Dispatches Room With a View Finding life amid decay in the Maine woods. Special Section: Explore Camden Lobster dinners, hiking trails, summer events, and more. My Favorite Place Lighthouse keeper Matt Rosenberg, on Nubble Light. ON THE COVER Emilie Stark-Menneg in her Brunswick studio. Photo by Tara Rice