Ann Scanlan received a BFA from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and continued her art education at the Art Students League of New York, where she studied for eight years under distinguished realist artist Frank Mason. Her training began with intensive studio classes in figurative painting and later expanded to plein air painting during summer sessions in Stowe, Vermont. It was there, amidst the changing light and natural beauty, that she fell in love with landscape painting and the ever-evolving challenges it presents.
In 2000, she and her late husband, photographer Rick Scanlan, relocated from New York City to open Sylvan Gallery in Clinton, Connecticut. Under their direction, the gallery quickly earned a reputation as one of the premier art destinations on the Connecticut shoreline, frequently highlighted in local publications for the exceptional quality of its exhibitions.
In May of 2012, the gallery was relocated to the charming village of Wiscasset, Maine - a move that allowed Ann to immerse herself more deeply in the landscapes that inspire her most. The region's small farms, working harbors, salt marshes, and rugged coastal vistas continue to fuel her artistic vision. When not at the gallery, Ann can often be found painting on location or working from her own photographs in the studio during the quieter winter months.
“Some of my earliest childhood memories are of watching my mother sketch on the steps of the cottage we rented in New Harbor, Maine. When we weren't enjoying the view from the cottage, we visited local artists' studios, and the artwork purchased during those Maine vacations has remained a treasured part of my family's collection.
"Although the coastal views that define Maine have always inspired me, I've recently returned to my roots in figurative painting. In 2025, I began capturing the interiors of local Wiscasset shops and the people who bring them to life. I've also drawn inspiration from the annual Halloween parade on Federal Street, with its colorful costumes and the spirited energy and emotion shared by both children and adults. Surrounded by such richness of subject matter, I'm excited to see where this next chapter in my painting will lead."