“Never give up.” That’s what Bath artist Sandy Crabtree used to say to her students.

Crabtree taught art at Morse High School for nearly 30 years. For 10 of those years, she submitted artwork to Pine Tree Society for consideration as a design for its annual holiday card. Her perseverance finally paid off and, in 1992, her work was selected for the first time. Since then, her paintings have been chosen 10 times and helped raise over $3 million dollars for Maine people with disabilities.

“Pine Tree Society’s art collection is wonderful and I love being a part of it. You never know how it strikes people’s hearts.,” Crabtree said. “The holiday cards evoke feelings of nostalgia for Maine as a place where you grew up or visited.”

Her 2017 painting, “Squirrel Point,” is a watercolor painting of a Maine lighthouse in winter. Sitting on the Kennebec River, Squirrel Point Lighthouse is festively adorned with a wreath, a Christmas tree and a snowman waving from the hill.

Crabtree painted Squirrel Point Lighthouse from a photo she took while on a boat 20 years ago.

“That’s what it looked like then, it was maintained and looked like what the card looks like. Today, people are raising money to restore it. I’m hoping the card helps raise awareness about the importance of saving things that matter, like Squirrel Point Lighthouse and like the tree house at Pine Tree Camp.”

In the 1960s, Pine Tree Society staff had the idea that a Maine-themed holiday card could be a fundraiser. More than 50 years later, the tradition continues with the Society has acquiring an extensive collection of quintessential Maine art.

Every June, Pine Tree Society’s office is flooded with paintings depicting Maine’s winter landscape. This annual holiday tradition draws work from artists from around the state competing for a chance to be featured.

Pine Tree Society helps Maine people with disabilities lead richer, more socially connected lives and all proceeds from holiday card sales support its programs. For more information or to purchase cards, call (207) 443-3341.