ARRT! and LumenARRT!

The Artists’ Rapid Response Team! is a project of the Union of Maine Visual Artists, and receives additional help from the Broad Reach Fund at the Maine Community Foundation. ARRT! works to give a visual voice to progressive organizations, schools and community groups to educate, confront, or to start a conversation about issues of importance.

ARRTists are UMVA members who communicate with organizations, listen to their goals, research their issues, and design images to visually express the essence of their message. It is an open group, always welcoming new members!

Below are some of the projects from this last quarter of 2018, including some shots of banners put to use by organizations throughout the state.

One project of the Restorative Justice Institute is working with a group of men who are incarcerated at Maine State Prison to improve the culture and potential for healing inside the Prison. ARRT! will be working with them in the coming month. The banner above was just completed in December.

“We Remember the Longest Night of Homelessness” banner

The banner above was created for Portland’s Homeless Persons Annual Memorial Vigil On the Winter Solstice. The group states that:

The Longest Night of Homelessness is an event that belongs to the full community. This banner honors the event and the people we’ve lost.

ARRT! painting session, October 2018 with Cony HS crew

Often groups will join ARRT! to paint the images with the help of ARRTists. At times they become so involved that they keep returning to work on other issues or work in their own communities to create images for change.

Photo taken outside of the Nordic Aqua’HARMS’ office December 13, 2018

“Overdose Prevention Sites” banner at an “Opioid Drop” for “They Talk We Die” campaign, November 23, 2018.

“Overdose Prevention Sites” banner at an “Opioid Drop” November 23, 2018.

“Heart of Biddeford, Our time is Now” banner

The Heart of Biddeford banner supports their mission highlighting the immigrant history of the city and the current focus on inclusion, equity and justice.

Prior to the tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony, Biddeford 2018

“Maine AllCare; Imagine Health Care for ALL” banner

Maine AllCare works to educate Maine citizens and bring healthcare to all Mainers.

For more information on ARRT! click here or go to arrteam.org

LumenARRT! is a branch of the Artists Rapid Response Team! that uses large-scale video projection to call attention to the work of progressive non-profits and highlight issues of concern to the people of Maine.

LumenARRT! video projection for the Community Celebration in City Square, Biddeford, 10-20-18. To get out the vote for restoring Biddeford’s clocktower, LumenARRT! projected a celebration of inclusivity about the immigrants that historically and currently contribute to make Biddeford a vibrant community.

LumenARRT! was honored to be included in the Center of Maine Contemporary Art’s 2018 Biennial exhibit. The installation will be on view until March 2019. Click here for information on the CMCA exhibit.

LumenARRT! installs its juried selection to the CMCA 2018 Biennial. A pun on “projection,” a video of “projected” water imagery washes away common words “projected” onto women’s bodies. Titled, “Free Fall(t): Projection-cleansing for Women,” the anthropomorphic shapes made of wire, papier maché and muslin fabric are installed 16 ft. above the gallery floor.