There’s a lot of buzz in the air and it’s not just the bees. Your fellow members have been busy creating opportunities for you to speak truth to power through shows, banners, and projections, bringing attention to the many Maine artists, and peacefully gathering to participate in community activities.
UMVA advertisement in the 2025 Maine Gallery and Studio Guide.
Many thanks to these members and those I’ve missed at these fabulous events, exhibitions, and opportunities:
David Estey and Kris Engman for coordinating and creating an unprecedented six-page advertisement featuring forty member participants in the 2025 Maine Gallery and Studio Guide. The UMVA logo and website home page list the key benefits of membership, and a QR code goes directly to our website, with attractive photos of our activities.
Washed Away, opening night, Judy Green-Janse in center with scarf.
Washed Away exhibition, curated by Carl Little, with related events at the Portland Library: Jim Kelly and Millie Bachrach (hanging committee), Amy Bellezza and Joyce Ellen Weinstein (hanging and sign in/sign outs), Kimberly Harding and Joanne Tarlin (shipping, transportation, and storage assistance), Ann Tracy and Emily Sabino (public relations), Chris Morse (labeling), Shanna Compton (website support), Anita Clearfield (video production), Lesley McVane and Clara Cohan (refreshment table), Judy Greene-Janse (show organizer, graphics and hanging committee). The exhibition drew over 150 attendees at the opening and received coverage from the local news.
Judy Green-Janse at midnight happening, Everything Changes, Nothing Change.
Midnight Art Happening participants at the Portland wharfs, Everything Changes, Nothing Change: Judy Greene-Janse
Artists’ Rapid Response Team! (ARRT!) members for your ongoing community support for freedom of speech: Nora Tryon, Anita Clearfield, Christine Higgins, Natasha Mayers, Jane Herbert, David Griffin, Delia Percy Cummingham, Lee Chisholm, Jean Noon, Ant Cunningham, Jane Page-Conway, Robin Huntley, Hale Linnet, Deb Fahy, Charlotte Agell, Valerie Porter, Andy Burt, Argy Nestor, Cynthia Howard, Ann Thompson, Robin Brooks, Hannah Joseph, and many others.
Social Media and PR: Ann Tracy (Public Relations), Deb Vendetti (Mid-Coast Downeast Facebook page management), Shanna Compton (Website Administrator).
Maine Arts Journal editors and contributors: Natasha Mayers, Nora Tryon, Véronique Plesch, Betsy Sholl (poetry editor), with the help of Colby interns Sofía Escobar Amaya and Cynthia Li.
Great News from the Board of Directors
With the intrepid work of your VP Kimberley Harding in search for a UMVA secretary, we are honored to welcome Cinnamon Brûlée. Cinnamon is a Yakisugi fire artist and art therapist who works in Portland. She has served as chair on other non-profit creative boards in the past.
We are still seeking a treasurer. If you have served in this capacity in the past, please consider assisting UMVA. If you know of someone friendly and organized who may want to volunteer, it’s not too hard a job. Now that we have a bookkeeper, the Treasurer’s responsibilities are to work with fellow officers on oversight of the organization, and their role is to work with the bookkeeper and maintain the checking account by reviewing, making deposits, and electronically making payments on a monthly basis.
The annual meeting of UMVA members is scheduled for Saturday 27 September at 11:30 a.m. Please mark your calendars. It will be via Zoom. However we are seeking volunteers regionally to host informal gatherings at their home or in a reserved library room where groups can log on. More news to follow.
I wish you a safe, peaceful, and productive summer,
Joanne Tarlin, President, UMVA
Cinnamon Brûlée, Burning.