ARRT! (The Artists’ Rapid Response Team!) works with progressive groups and organizations throughout Maine, providing images that can help to distill and clarify their important messages about issues that matter to people in Maine and the world beyond our borders. ARRT! is a project of the Union of Maine Visual Artists (UMVA), a members’ organization of artists helping artists.
ARRT! had a productive winter season, working with many new artists and groups. One exciting development was the success of activists to impact the decision of the Maine Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) to reject a proposed mining project in the Katahdin region. Both ARRT! and LumenARRT! have worked with community organizations such as the Natural Resources Council, Community Water Justice and Wabanaki tribal leadership to bring attention to the threat posed to the area. We celebrate the decision! The motto of Community Water Justice is “Behind the fight for our water is the struggle for democracy.”
![ARRT image 50442753 copy ARRT image 50442753 copy](https://i0.wp.com/maineartsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ARRT_image_50442753-copy-1024x768.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
ARRT! banner shown with the Community Water Justice network, working to block a metallic mining project in the headwaters of the Penobscot River.
Among the organizations ARRT! worked with this winter are; New England Arab-American Organization, Don’t Waste Maine, Coalition for Palestine, Maine Without Hate, League of Women Voters, Her Safety Net, Homeless Voices for Justice and more. With so many issues on the line, passions are strong. We support civil discourse and the peaceful airing of sometimes difficult ideas. Not all ARRTists or UMVA members, have the same beliefs, but we support one another in the right to hold spirited dialogue to navigate these polarized times.
![ARRT! Lum ARRT! Lum](https://i0.wp.com/maineartsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ARRT_Lum.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
ARRT! banner in Portland during the First Friday Artwalk, 1 March 2024, with the League of Women Voters and LumenARRT!
![ARRT New celebrate trans lives for trans visibility day(1) copy 2 ARRT New celebrate trans lives for trans visibility day(1) copy 2](https://i0.wp.com/maineartsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ARRT_New_celebrate-trans-lives-for-trans-visibility-day1-copy-2-1024x351.jpg?resize=1024%2C351&ssl=1)
ARRT! banner created during the March paint session to celebrate trans lives for Trans Visibility Day, 30 March event.
![ARRT bisan owda puppet ME voices for palestinian rights copy ARRT bisan owda puppet ME voices for palestinian rights copy](https://i0.wp.com/maineartsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ARRT_bisan-owda-puppet-ME-voices-for-palestinian-rights-copy-1024x771.jpg?resize=1024%2C771&ssl=1)
ARRT! helped construct this Bisan Owda puppet with Maine Voices for Palestinian Rights during a winter 2024 painting session.
![ARRT CHILDREN SAY FREE PALESTINE ARRT copy ARRT CHILDREN SAY FREE PALESTINE ARRT copy](https://i0.wp.com/maineartsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ARRT_CHILDREN-SAY-FREE-PALESTINE-ARRT-copy-1024x372.jpg?resize=1024%2C372&ssl=1)
ARRT! banner for the Coalition for Palestine, painted during winter 2024, at the Bowdoinham Historical Society.
![lumenarrt gaza rafah feb 12 (2) copy lumenarrt gaza rafah feb 12 (2) copy](https://i0.wp.com/maineartsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/lumenarrt-gaza-rafah-feb-12-2-copy-1024x768.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
ARRT! banner in action during a LumenARRT! projection on 12 February 2024, in Monument Square, Portland supporting the Maine Coalition for Palestine.
![LumenARRT 20240212 184840 copy 2 LumenARRT 20240212 184840 copy 2](https://i0.wp.com/maineartsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LumenARRT_20240212_184840-copy-2-576x1024.jpg?resize=576%2C1024&ssl=1)
ARRT! banner in action during a LumenARRT! projection on 12 February 2024, in Monument Square, Portland supporting the the Maine Coalition for Palestine.
The Artists’ Rapid Response Team (ARRT!) is a project of the Union of Maine Visual Artists (UMVA). ARRT! is grateful for the support of the UMVA and a donor-advised fund of the Maine Community Foundation. UMVA members and others are always welcome to join in, and ARRT! is always on the lookout for organizations in need of our services. Check out our website.
Image at top: ARRT! banner shown with the Community Water Justice network, working to block a metallic mining project in the headwaters of the Penobscot River.