Roxanne Quimby will talk about her plans for the Quimby Colony, an artists-in-residence program she is establishing on Congress Street, at the next “Eggs & issues” event on Sept. 8.

Quimby, who co-founded the Burt’s Bees line of personal care products, will discuss the non-profit venture that will bring together artists specializing in fashion, costume and textile arts and those focused on culinary arts in the former Roma restaurant building at 769 Congress St.

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Roxanne Quimby plans an artists colony for the former Roma Cafe building at 769 Congress St. in Portland.

Renovations of the building have been under way for weeks, but Quimby hasn’t talked publicly about her plans. A website, www.quimbycolony.com, says artists will be given room, board and studio space.

Quimby recently dropped plans for another artist-in-residence project at 660 Congress St. That project was delayed by Quimby’s successful appeal of a city fee of more than $400,000 to compensate for seven apartments being displaced from the building and also by an arson fire that heavily damaged the interior of the building shortly after renovation work had begun in January.

“Eggs & Issues” is put on monthly by the Portland Community Chamber. The Quimby breakfast will begin at 7 a.m. at the Holiday Inn by the Bay on Spring Street in Portland.

Tickets are $17 for members and $27 for non-members. Those wishing to attend must register by Sept. 2 by calling the Portland Regional Chamber at 772-2811 or by going to www.portlandregion.com and clicking on “Register for an event.”
 

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