ARRT! The Artists’ Rapid Response Team (ARRT!) is a project of the Union of Maine Visual Artists. The ARRTists are members of the UMVA who collaborate with progressive organizations throughout Maine to create “visual soundbites,” frequently in the form of banners, to be used to draw attention to important issues. ARRT! is grateful for the support of the UMVA and the Broad Reach Fund of the Maine Community Foundation.
Wearable placard in support of the Pine Tree Amendment.
The Pine Tree Amendment (PTA) adds language to the Bill of Rights in the Maine Constitution that will protect the rights of all people in the state, including present and future generations, to a clean and healthy environment and to the preservation of the natural, cultural and healthful qualities of the environment. The PTA serves as a check on government authority and makes clear the government’s duty to protect the state’s natural resources.
There is bipartisan support for this bill and ARRT! has been creating placards for the effort featuring diverse Mainers, human and otherwise who would benefit from this action.
Placards in support of the Pine Tree Amendment.
Placard in support of the Pine Tree Amendment
Wearable placard in support of the Pine Tree Amendment.
Wearable placard in support of the Pine Tree Amendment.
Wearable placard in support of the Pine Tree Amendment.
Concern about the war looming in Ukraine this winter prompted ARRT! to create this banner in early February. The banner was put into action at Bath Iron Works and Portland’s Nickelodeon theater before screenings of two Maine Masters Films: Natasha Mayers: An Unstill Life and Robert Shetterly: An American Who Tells the Truth.
ARRT! banner.
ARRT! banner in action at Bath Iron Works.
ARRT! banner in action at Nickelodeon Theater in Portland.
ARRT! worked on this banner in January for Food AND Medicine (in Brewer, ME) which is celebrating its 20th year. Their work concerns worker rights, food insecurity, transportation for all, support for local farms, building community, healthcare, outsourcing jobs, heating assistance, and unemployment.
ARRT! banner for the organization Food AND Medicine.
ARRT! completed the banner below for the new Augusta Recovery Reentry Center (ARRC) founded by the Maine Prisoner Reentry Network, Maine Recovery Advocacy Project, and Young People in Recovery. The ARRC operates as a program under the Maine Prisoner Reentry Network.
ARRT! banner for the Augusta Recovery and Reentry Center.
ARRT! in process in Bowdoinham.
ARRTists at work in March at the Bowdoinham Historical Society.
ARRT! Youth Full Maine banner.
In March ARRTists gathered to produce banners for Youth Full Maine and for the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine.
Youth Full Maine manages school food pantries and distributes fresh produce for students to bring home for themselves and their family members.
ARRT! banner with Youth Full Maine volunteers (Photo: Joshua Langlais).
ARRT! banner for The Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine.
Activists use ARRT! banners in campaigns and rallies all over the state. A few such events are pictured below.
Supporters of the Pine Tree Amendment display ARRT! placards and banner at the State House on March 22, 2022.
Pine Tree Amendment organizers, Michelle Henkin and Andy Burt, with Chloe Maxmin, a sponsor of the bill, at the State House in Augusta.
ARRT! Wabanaki banner at the State House on lobbying day in March 2022.
ARRT! Wabanaki banner with supporters at the State House on lobbying day in March 2022.
ARRT! Wabanaki banner at the State House on lobbying day in March 2022.
ARRT! Pine Tree Amendment banner at the State House in Augusta with Chloe Maxmin and other supporters.
ARRT! The Pine Tree Amendment Supports Sovereignty Wabanaki banner at the State House on lobbying day in March 2022.
ARRT! Food and Medicine banner used on Facebook.
ARRT! welcomes artists, community members, and activists to join in on issues that can make a difference for the people of Maine. We meet monthly to gather for paint sessions at the Merrymeeting Grange Hall, 27 Main St. in Bowdoinham. The Bowdoinham Historical Society is our gracious host. Check out the ARRT! website for contact info and updates. Next session is April 10th, followed by an “art build” in Belfast at Waterfall Arts on April 23rd.
ARRT! painting session.
ARRT! painting session.
Image at top: Wearable placard in support of the Pine Tree Amendment.