As pedestrians packed Congress Street for May’s First Friday Art Walk, they were stopped in their tracks at the old Porteous building by an enticing surprise. There, behind the large storefront windows amidst the throngs of art enthusiasts and street vendors, models strutted, jutted and twirled in designs created by Maine College of Art students majoring in textile and fashion design.

“Tonight is the culmination of our graduating seniors’ MECA experience,” explained Raffi Der Simonian, director of marketing and communications at MECA. “There are over 80 installations of all disciplines here on display, and this work represents everything they have learned here. This is their official introduction into the world of being a professional artist.”

And oh, what a world. MECAmorphosis, the college’s spring gala, fashion show and thesis exhibition, was buzzing with excitement and intrigue as art walkers meandered throughout three stories of installations, and strolling musicians Emilia Dahlin and Adam Frederick serenaded unsuspecting guests.

Tickets were required for the Runway Fashion Show and the Artist’s Party held afterward in the cafe upstairs, which was spilling over with party-goers dressed in creative black tie.

“It’s a great school. It’s small and we get to know our students,” said Jamie Hogan, an adjunct assistant professor who attended with her husband, Marty Braun. “It’s a great hive to be a part of and there is a lot of good energy here.”

Longtime MECA supporter Cyrus Hagge of Portland chatted with Jessica Tomlinson, MECA’s director of Artists at Work, and Ian Anderson, dean of the college. Daniel Minter, adjunct professor of illustration and the artist who created the 2004 and 2011 Kwanzaa stamps for the U.S. Postal Service, was joined by his wife, Marcia Minter, vice president creative director at L.L. Bean.

True to the evening’s dress code, Linda Banks, owner of Simply Home in Falmouth, was stunning in a simple black sheath, as were her cohorts, Phipps Moriarty of Prouts Neck; Susan Filipos, controller of The Prentice Organization; Susan Grisanti, editor-in-chief of Maine Magazine; and artist Carrie Lonsdale of Falmouth.

“I couldn’t be happier with the students, faculty and staff,” said MECA President Donald Tuski above the din, who attended with his wife, Louise Tuski. “There is not a better art college in an art town than MECA in Portland, Maine.”

Hear, hear.

Margaret Logan is a freelance writer who lives in Scarborough. She can be contacted at:

mlogan@maine.rr.com

Related Stories