The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, Maine, is proud to announce Paul Caponigro as the recipient of the 2011 Maine in America Award. The award is presented by the Farnsworth's Presidents Council to honor an individual or group who has made an outstanding contribution to Maine's role in American art. This year's presentation will occur during the Farnsworth Art Museum's Summer Gala, which will take place on Saturday, June 25, on the museum grounds. The previous winners of the Maine in America Award were John Wilmerding (2006), Andrew Wyeth (2007), Will Barnet (2008), Robert Indiana (2009) and Alex Katz (2010).

Paul Caponigro stands among the foremost landscape photographers of our time. His first one-man exhibition took place in 1958 at the George Eastman House, one of the country's most important photography museums. In 1960, Caponigro became a consultant for Polaroid Corporation in the photo-research department. During this period, he also began teaching photography part-time at Boston University. Over the course of his career, Caponigro has lectured, taught and shown his works in museums, galleries and universities throughout the world.  Today his original photographs are found in major museum collections in the United States and abroad.

Caponigro was first introduced to Maine as a boy, when he came to the Gardiner area in the summers with his family. He was immediately taken by its natural beauty. His first photographs in Maine date from the very beginning of his career in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He has had a long relationship with the Maine Media Workshops, where he has taught regularly. After living in New Mexico and California for more than twenty years, in 1993 Caponigro returned to Maine to live in Cushing year round.

The 2011 Farnsworth Art Museum Gala, the kickoff to the summer season on the midcoast, will feature a fabulous culinary experience by Swan's Way of Lincolnville. Dress is cocktail attire. Cost is $250 per person. Sponsorships are available. Seating is limited so reserve early.  All proceeds help support the museum's public programs. To make a reservation, please call 207-596-6457 ext. 143