Maker of light sculpture ‘Hopeful’ doubles down on neon with dedicated studio

A multi-genre Maine artist who discovered new creative possibilities with neon sculpture in recent years is going all in on the medium with the establishment of a dedicated studio in Portland.

Charlie Hewitt bought 67 Brentwood St., in Portland’s Deering Center neighborhood, from Gail Diamon for $425,000.

Loren Ayer of Harborview Properties and Kate Carey of Vitalius Real Estate Group brokered the deal, which closed July 1.

The property comprises a one-story, 6,240-square-foot retail building dating to 1930. The building has an attached greenhouse and there’s also a separate three-bedroom apartment and 10 parking spaces.

Former florist shop

The property was previously occupied by Dodge the Florist Inc., which was established in 1890, according to its website.

“The seller owned Dodge the Florist and actually grew up in that property,” said Ayer, who represented the seller. “She had owned the building and run the business for much of her life and was ready for a change of pace.”

The listing saw a lot of interest and is in a great neighborhood, she said.

Courtesy / Harborview Properties

Work is underway to turn the former florist shop at 67 Brentwood St., in Portland, into an “electric garage” for the neon sculptures of Maine artist Charlie Hewitt.

“But it had been used as a florist and greenhouse for so many years, and needed some updating, so it was not ideal for every buyer,” she continued. “A significant bonus is the residential unit that would allow a new owner to live there or have additional income in addition to the retail space.”

Painter and sculptor

The buyer, Charlie Hewitt, is a Lewiston native who has studios in Jersey City, N.J., and on 61 Pleasant St. in Portland. His artwork is represented in numerous collections, including those of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York Public Library and Brooklyn Museum; the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.; and the Portland Museum of Art. His paintings, prints and sculptures are rooted in expressionism and surrealism.

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