We, Sherry and Ivan Rasmussen, have been involved the ARTs in Bar Harbor since the early 1970's. We own galleries and artist studios on the Bar Harbor Waterfront near the cottage. Ivan, who was once Bar Harbor Harbormaster, has spent most of his life near the ocean in his native Oregon and now on Mount Desert Island which is home to Acadia National Park.
Growing up, Sherry's beach was Virginia Beach in her native state. She traveled extensively as an international flight attendant. Though her travels took her to many beautiful destinations, she says that Mt. Desert Island, home to Bar Harbor, is truly one of the world's great treasures...and Acadia's Sand Beach surrounded by mountains is now her beach.
Ivan captures the beauty of the island in his watercolors that he
sells in his own 'ART on West' and other galleries.
We live right in the Village of Bar Harbor which is one of Maine's most walkable communities. And just like many of our Thankful Cottage visitors, we walk or bike into Acadia National Park from our home. A free bus runs from mid-June to mid-October from the Village of Bar Harbor into Acadia National Park and to neighboring Villages. The Village of Bar Harbor is surrounded by Acadia National Park and the nearby Bar Island is just a short walk from the cottage. Did you know that the 'bar' across the 'harbor' to Bar Island is the reason for the town's name of Bar Harbor? You can see the 'bar' and Bar Island from the cottage.
We love to share our community and island with visitors from around the world. You check in for your week at our ART on West: Gallery. We are there to get you started on a perfect vacation.