Meet Betsy Wish: Kittery’s Cookie-Kayaking Artist, Activist & Local Treasure
Betsy Wish is one of those rare people who seem to weave themselves effortlessly into the heart of a community. Though she’s technically “from away,” anyone in Kittery will tell you—Betsy is as local as they come.
Until recently, she was perhaps best known as the woman who kayaks around Portsmouth Harbor delivering homemade cookies to lobstermen, accompanied by her ever-faithful dog, Maggie. It’s a tradition so charming that New Hampshire PBS will be featuring it in a segment this February. But Betsy’s connection to this coastal region runs far deeper than cookies and kayaks.
A retired elementary school art teacher, Betsy is an artist in every sense of the word—one who wakes up each day on a quest to create something beautiful and meaningful. Her work spans painting, photography, and sculpture, and she’s best known around town for her whimsical and eclectic Wish Boxes, a series of vibrant assemblages made from found objects. Describing them in words doesn’t do them justice—these pieces truly need to be seen to be appreciated.
Now a studio member at the Kittery Art Association’s new Foreside location, Betsy’s presence continues to enrich the town’s cultural scene. She teaches art workshops in the association’s "Hub" space, offering creative opportunities for both children and adults. One of her recent joys has been working with homeschooled children, rekindling her passion for teaching and, in her words, giving her an excuse to be “running with scissors” again.
Betsy’s deep-rooted affection for Kittery shines through in everything she does—from her artistic contributions to her advocacy for the working waterfront. Her connection to the local lobstering community began when she started photographing lobstermen from her kayak. At first, they jokingly referred to her as a “speed bump” on the water. But once she began handing out cookies (and printed photos of them at work), a trust began to build.
That trust led to something extraordinary: a photo and oral history project titled In Slow Mocean, exhibited at the Morgan Gallery in the Kittery Community Center. It featured powerful portraits and personal stories of 12 local lobstermen, accompanied by a short film directed by Jim White. Betsy’s collaboration with the Maine Lobstermen’s Association and long-time partner Kevin Kelly helped give a voice to this critical—and often underappreciated—coastal industry.
Then came the pandemic, and with it, a new mission. Betsy devoted two years to researching and compiling Kittery’s Maine Ingredient, a historical community cookbook published in celebration of the town’s 375th anniversary. Over 1,000 copies were sold, with proceeds donated to local nonprofits like Mainspring and Fuel & More. The book is a true reflection of Kittery’s spirit—filled with treasured recipes, family stories, and photos contributed by residents who have called the town home for generations.
Back in her studio, Betsy now explores “eco-sculpture”—creating playful figures of lobstermen and women from repurposed materials like soda bottles, yogurt containers, and cardboard tubes. Her work is as environmentally conscious as it is imaginative.
One of her fondest memories? Kayaking alongside Willem Lange of NHPR’s Windows to the Wild, who featured her in a segment as she delivered cookies to the lobstermen. At 87, Lange was an inspiration in his own right. “He asked me how all this started,” Betsy recalled. “I told him I didn’t come to Maine 18 years ago with a plan. Delivering cookies was just my way of thanking the lobstermen for not running me over while I took their picture!”
What began as a simple act of gratitude has grown into a rich tapestry of community connection, creative expression, and mutual respect. Betsy’s story is a reminder that supporting a community can take many forms—whether through art, teaching, volunteering, or even a floating tin of chocolate chip cookies.
“I think it’s good that your company is focusing on giving back to local nonprofits,” she wrote recently. “We were just lucky to have landed in Kittery.”
After meeting someone like Betsy Wish, we’re inclined to think Kittery is lucky to have landed her, too.
