Kate the Earthling debuts Maine coast-inspired Ecotones at Harpswell Collective

Biophilic artist Kate Shooltz unveiled Ecotones, an eight-piece collection inspired by Maine’s coastline, at Harpswell Collective in Harpswell, Maine. The show opened Aug. 20 and quickly sold its first work, signaling local interest in art built from preserved moss, stone and glass.

Why it matters: - Ecotones turns Maine’s coastal ecology into collectible art, linking place-based storytelling with interior design. - The exhibition also reinforces Harpswell Collective’s role as a waterfront venue for artists, community events and regional culture.

What happened: - Kate Shooltz, who works under the name Kate the Earthling, unveiled Ecotones at Harpswell Collective in Harpswell, Maine. - The eight-piece collection debuted during an Aug. 20 Artist Showcase. - Harpswell resident Mike Boisvert bought Acadia Gate before the evening ended. - Acadia Gate measures 36 by 36 inches and uses reclaimed wood, preserved moss, ferns, amaranthus and rocks.

The details: - Ecotones draws on Maine’s coastline, where forests meet rocky shorelines and freshwater meets saltwater. - Shooltz said the collection reflects the coast of Maine and invites viewers to recall their own moments on the shoreline. - Her inspiration came from hikes on the Bold Coast, evenings in Acadia, time on Monhegan Island and explorations along the MidCoast. - Shooltz layers preserved mosses, plants, rocks and glass mosaic to build dimensional landscapes. - Her glass mosaic is used to suggest moving water and reflected light. - The collection includes Acadia Gate, Moonrise over Jordan Pond, Manana from Monhegan, A Foggy Night at Quoddy Head, Boot Head Plank Walk, Bold Coast, Dawn at Burnt Head and Midcoast. - Midcoast is a 6-foot by 6-foot feature wall. - Harpswell Collective sits directly on the water on Harpswell Neck, in the same kind of landscape that inspired the work. - The collection is on view at 1906 Harpswell Neck Road in Harpswell through the end of 2026, or until sold.

Between the lines: - The sale of Acadia Gate at the opening suggests immediate resonance with local collectors. - The setting strengthens the exhibition’s concept because the gallery itself mirrors the coastal transitions that define the work. - Shooltz’s use of preserved botanicals points to a broader appeal for low-maintenance nature-based art in homes and commercial spaces. - She has worked with preserved moss and plants for eight years and launched Kate the Earthling in 2018. - Her preserved botanical works require no water or sunlight while retaining color and softness for years. - Her work has appeared in public and private spaces across the United States. - Her Terminus project for Olympic National Park was featured on the cover of National Parks magazine in spring 2024. - Her work has also appeared in Biophilia Natural Trend, Chester County Life, SuperMoss and PureWow, and on Bravo TV, Fox29 Philadelphia and NBC10 Philadelphia.

What's next: - Ecotones remains on view at Harpswell Collective until the end of 2026, unless the remaining works sell sooner. - Harpswell Collective will continue hosting exhibitions, workshops, artist showcases, pop-ups and community events on Harpswell Neck. - Shooltz’s portfolio suggests more nature-based commissions and installations could follow as the Kate the Earthling brand grows.