Introduction to the Summer 2018 Issue  

  State of the Studio What an artist does daily matters. The continuity of a steady studio practice is a place of invention and exploration, as—or more important than—putting on a show. We asked the artists in this issue to tell us “What are you doing? What are you...

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Introduction to the Summer 2018 Issue  

Introduction to the Summer 2018 Issue  

  State of the Studio What an artist does daily matters. The continuity of a steady studio practice is a place of invention and exploration, as—or more important than—putting on a show. We asked the artists in this issue to tell us “What are you doing? What are you...

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John Bisbee – State of the Studio

John Bisbee – State of the Studio

For the last year and a half, I have been obsessed with creating my upcoming show, American Steel, at CMCA. It is a true departure for me on many fronts: it's realist, it's text-driven, it's political, and hopefully it's funny. If it's not a little bit funny...

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The Wave of Creativity by Dietlind Vander Schaaf

The Wave of Creativity by Dietlind Vander Schaaf

by Dietlind Vander Schaaf   Last winter I found myself in a bit of an artistic slump. The flow of energy and ideas that had moved through me freely and guided my work for years seemed to have dried up. As winter gave way to spring, I reached beyond my studio...

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Beth Wittenberg – State of the Studio

Beth Wittenberg – State of the Studio

Ever since I graduated with my Bachelor of FIne Arts in 1991, I have said to myself that if I am to refer to myself as an artist, then I better be doing what artists do. Artists make art. So, I make art every day. I create. I make. I consider. I react. I respond. I...

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The Privilege of Studio Visits by Edgar Allen Beem

The Privilege of Studio Visits by Edgar Allen Beem

For 40 years now (1978-2018), I have been writing about art in Maine. Over that time I have been privileged to visit several hundred artists in their studios. Not only did I learn most of what I know about contemporary art from studio visits, but I have come to regard...

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Censorship, or Safety? by Dan Kany

Censorship, or Safety? by Dan Kany

Statements, dialogue and conversations about censorship and USM president Glenn Cummings’ unilateral decision to remove three paintings from the Atrium Gallery’s exhibition “Industrial Maine: Our Other Landscape” By Daniel Kany “I would prefer we act in this case from...

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Michael Mansfield by Sarah Bouchard

Michael Mansfield by Sarah Bouchard

Not all artists can afford a traditional, daily studio practice. For some, the studio is a state of mind entered into on the drive home after a long day packed with professional obligations. These artists make exceptional work while maintaining an alternate identity –...

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Patricia Wheeler—Art Matters

Patricia Wheeler—Art Matters

I feel that art can be active, holding real power, not just metaphoric meaning. My painting practice has always included an element of ritual and deep listening. It serves as a space through which encounters with personal and collective energies coalesce. Living in a...

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State of the Studio with Meghan Brady

State of the Studio with Meghan Brady

Last summer I was the recipient of a six month studio residency through the Ellis-Beauregard Foundation.  I left my modest garage-studio behind my house, where I have been making paintings, drawings, prints and some sculpture over the last ten years, for a large...

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Sara Stites in the studio: A Journey

Sara Stites in the studio: A Journey

My work has always had an organic, visceral aspect which I consider to be part of my concern with life issues, like vulnerability, passion, and the uncanny. Drawing in notebooks is my lifeline to my work whether I am in my studio in Maine or Miami or traveling on the...

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James  Chute — My Collaborative Drawing Projects

James Chute — My Collaborative Drawing Projects

In the years 2012 through 2015 I conceived and executed four collaborative drawing projects. These projects provided conceptual contexts for the improvisational drawing practice I had been concentrating on for the previous several years, and also incorporated social...

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Christian Barter Poetry — Introduction by Betsy Sholl

Christian Barter Poetry — Introduction by Betsy Sholl

Christian Barter is an award-winning poet whose most recent book is Bye-Bye Land, winner of the Isabella Gardner Poetry Award.  Besides being a poet and teacher, he works on a trail crew planning and overseeing construction and rehabilitation of hiking trails on Mount...

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Dawn Potter Poetry — Introduction by Betsy Sholl

Dawn Potter Poetry — Introduction by Betsy Sholl

Dawn Potter’s new book, Chestnut Ridge, traces the history of her birthplace in western Pennsylvania through three centuries and various voices.  The poems change in style as the age changes, beginning with formal and moving toward free verse. These poems are a...

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State of the Studio: Sondra Bogdonoff

State of the Studio: Sondra Bogdonoff

After an earlier 25 year career as a textile artist, selling nationally a line of one-of-a-kind jackets and doing commissioned wall work, I returned to school to get a masters in public policy and started working full-time at the Muskie School at USM. My studio, on...

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Studio Practice — Tom Flanagan 2018

Studio Practice — Tom Flanagan 2018

The only thing I really understand about my process as an artist is that everything comes from my drawing practice. There’s something essential about drawing. It connects me to the world and to my sensibilities. Lately I’ve been drawing directly onto the canvas using...

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ARRT! Artists’ Rapid Response Team! Update

ARRT! Artists’ Rapid Response Team! Update

As a project of the UMVA, ARRT! creates images for progressive non-profits throughout the state, and on occasion, for special requests for out-of-Maine organizations. ARRT! provides a visual voice for groups which need assistance getting their messages out. Much of...

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UMVA Lewiston / Auburn Chapter Report

UMVA Lewiston / Auburn Chapter Report

eARTh Day 2018 Was a great success with many groups all over Lewiston and Auburn giving back to the earth and cleaning up the city as well as beautifying by installing new public art projects.  Our public art projects are growing and evolving our wonderful community...

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Invitation for Fall Issue 2018: Dialogue

Invitation for Fall Issue 2018: Dialogue

Dialogue Dialogue is defined as a conversation between two or more people, and in literature, philosophy or art takes on many forms and formats. The purpose of dialogue is to explore topics rather than reach conclusions. It is different from a debate and more...

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