The Maine Artist Series at The Waldo presents “Carlo…and his Merry Band of Artists” on Thursday, July 25 at 7 p.m., featuring filmmaker Richard Kane and an accompanying art exhibition.

The second film in our Maine Artist Film Series is CARLO … and his funny gang of artists Directed by Richard Kane. The Waldo is thrilled to welcome Richard Kane back with this incredible, award-winning film!

Carlo Pittore, an exuberant, larger-than-life figurative artist and activist, is discussed by a small group of friends and fellow artists who gathered for a late afternoon outdoor picnic to assess Carlo’s influence. He died in 2005 at age 62. Art writer Edgar Beem says, “The conversation is so casual and honest that it’s almost as if Carlo had left the table for just a moment, rather than for all eternity.” His advice to young artists to go out, follow their dreams and “do it” was palpable… as was the love for him and the pain he sometimes caused. Memories and perspectives collide.

Carlo painted nude models at his academy Carlo Pittore while singing and dancing to Verdi’s opera. His works are often compared to those of Lucian Freud and Alice Neel. Fearing the AIDS epidemic, he fled New York in the late 1980s. Jonathan Katz, one of the founding figures of queer art history, said he did not believe Carlo’s interest in female nudes was a cover for his homosexuality. He found them beautiful. The film captures Carlo’s ambition for artistic greatness, his infectious personality, his struggle with sexual identity and his complicated legacy.

A corresponding exhibition of works inspired by Carlo will be on display at the Waldo Gallery, where an artist reception will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $10 in advance, $15 on the day of the film and at the door. Tickets can be purchased at https://waldothheatreinc.thundertix.com/events/228919. The film begins at 7 p.m.