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.
In times like these ARRTists find joy and solace using their skills in collaboration with others to address the mounting assaults on our freedoms in 2025. Our monthly paint sessions have embraced many new members representing a rich cross section of our Maine communities and the issues we all face. Below are a sampling of our endeavors this past winter.
ARRT! banner for MIRC.
The mission of the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC), is to improve legal, social, and economic conditions for immigrants in the state of Maine. MIRC brings together more than 110 organizations to form a unique statewide network representing diverse ethnic communities. These organizations, a majority of which are led by people of color, work together to foster immigrant inclusion and integration through both support programs and policies.
Maine citizens have been appearing on sidewalks, bridges and many places in their communities to express mounting frustration. ARRT! signs and banners are often on display.
USPS local rally with ARRT! signs, Whitefield, ME.
ARRT! placards in action at rally in Biddeford, ME.
Thirty people of all ages representing a statewide antiwar coalition gathered in Saco in February. Holding an ARRT! banner along with flags and signs, they came from Biddeford, Belfast, Portland, Brunswick, Hope, Farmington, Edgecomb, Wells, and New Jersey.
ARRT! banners in action.
ARRT! banners in action.
ARRT! banner for Indivisible Lincoln County.
ARRT! painted a banner for Lincoln County Indivisible a day after their amazing demonstration on the Newcastle/Damariscotta bridge attended by 400 people.
Concerned citizens with signs on the Wiscasset Bridge over the Sheepscot River.
ARRT!ist displaying recent placard.
ARRT! liberty and justice selfie.
Finding Our Voices placard in use!
ARRT! banner created with Finding Our Voices.
ARRT! placard created with Finding Our Voices.
ARRT! placard created with Finding Our Voices.
ARRT! placard created with Finding Our Voices.
ARRT! double selfie created with Finding Our Voices.
ARRT! placard created with Finding Our Voices.
ARRT! selfie sign created with Finding Our Voices.
A dedicated group from Finding Our Voices joined us to make “Love/not Love” domestic violence awareness signs for their Valentine’s Day march in downtown Lewiston. They provide peer-support and resources to women domestic abuse survivors across Maine, educate the general public with bold survivor-led public awareness campaigns, and gather and amplify survivor voices to bring safety and justice to Maine women and children. ARRT! also worked with them to create a banner, placards, and selfie signs for the march and other upcoming events.
Finding Our Voices march displaying signs done in collaboration with ARRT!
ARRT! painters’ critique during paint session.
ARRT! banner created with the Portland Gear Hub.
ARRT! collaboration Gearhub banner in action.
Portland Gear Hub is a non-profit bike and outdoor gear shop at 155 Washington Avenue that promotes cycling, reuse, sustainability, and equity. Serving the Portland community for ten years, they strive to build a diverse outdoor community that welcomes and celebrates Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, and individuals of different ages, abilities, religious preferences, and socioeconomic statuses. Bikes for All Mainers is a free educational program offering people ages 12+ an opportunity to earn a bicycle and build skills in basic bike maintenance and traffic awareness. This program is specifically designed to provide a bicycle as a means of affordable transportation and recreation for anyone experiencing economic instability or uncertainty.
Augusta rally for democracy with ARRT! banner in action.
Augusta rally for democracy with ARRT! placards in action.
Augusta rally for democracy with ARRT! banners in action.
ARRT! banner for PRESENTE!
ARRT! banner for PRESENTE!
Presente! focuses on keeping families together and in community while supplying them with farm grown healthy local foods. They oppose deportations and welcome immigrants.
ARRT! banner for Mainers for Humane Immigation.
Mainers for Humane Immigration formed to support farm workers and immigrants from Latin American countries and Haiti but provide help to everyone seeking a safe life in this country.
ARRT! and IFKA members worked together to create this banner.
IFKA Community Services advocates for social justice. building bridges between cultures and addressing the needs of their community, to create positive change. Ifka means “Mother Earth” in Somali. The organization is particularly focused on supporting and empowering immigrant mothers.
ARRTists and IFKA painters at work.
Join us for the next gathering of ARRT! on 30 March in Bowdoinham. We gather from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at Merrymeeting Grange Hall, 27 Main Street. The Bowdoinham Historical Society are our hosts and the sign out front says “Meerymeeting Books.” (We potluck lunch and provide coffee). Email mayersnatasha@gmail.com for more info or if you plan on coming.
ARRTists at work.
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 and our Facebook page for updates! Visit our website to see hundreds of the banners, signs, and props we’ve made over the past eleven years.
A full house of ARRTists at work on 2 March.