PORTLAND

Office of Tourism recognizes ArtWalk Maine for creativity

ArtWalk Maine received the Maine Tourism Award for Commitment to Creativity at the 2011 Maine Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Gov. Paul LePage presented the award to ArtWalk Maine representatives Tammy Ackermann, Joshua Bodwell and Susan Perrine.

Sponsored by the Maine Office of Tourism and the Maine Tourism Commission, the awards are presented to those who have shown commitment to the tourism industry and the state. The individuals and businesses honored are selected in a juried process.

From Biddeford to Portland, Brunswick and Topsham, Gardiner, Kingfield, Bangor and Presque Isle, Friday night has come to mean art walk time.

Art walks attract visitors to galleries, studios, art and book stores, restaurants, libraries, museums and other venues to view works of art, local crafts, meet the artists and simply enjoy an evening downtown. The events also feature talks, exhibit openings, free food and drink, or performances by musicians and dancers. They kick off the weekend and keep people in Maine’s downtowns.

ArtWalk Maine promotes art walks to potential visitors. The events are networking opportunities for local artists, and provide exhibit space not otherwise available to some. ArtWalk Maine was made possible by its supporters, including the Maine Arts Commission and the Quimby Family Foundation. 

First talk in series examines Web’s impact on art galleries

The Portland Arts & Cultural Alliance and Space Gallery have announced the Spring 2011 Creative Conversations, a series of facilitated discussions about arts and culture from personal, local and regional perspectives. All conversations will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at Space and are free and open to the public.

The first Spring 2011 Creative Conversation, “Rethinking the Art Gallery in the Digital Age,” will be March 15. Panelists include Dan Kany of the Daniel Kany Gallery, Bridget McAlonan of the Sylvia Kania Gallery and Andy Verzosa of Aucocisco.

“With online tools like Facebook and Etsy, what is the role of the art gallery if artists can now connect directly with collectors via the Web?” asks Jennifer Hutchins, executive director of PACA, who will facilitate the discussion. “What’s the effect of viewing art primarily via a computer screen? Do galleries play a role between private studios and large institutions like museums?” This Creative Conversation will touch on these questions, the changing nature of the art gallery, and the commodification of art.

The second Creative Conversation, “Street Art v. Graffiti,” will be April 19, and the third, “Sharing Space and Art: Connecting Artists and Businesses,” will be May 17.

Information about the Spring 2011 Creative Conversations is available at portlandarts.org and space538.org.

CAPE ELIZABETH

Submissions deadline nears in Paint for Preservation 2011

The deadline for artists to submit work for consideration in the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust’s Paint for Preservation 2011 is March 28. Artists will be notified if they have been accepted by April 8.

Gallerist Dennis Gleason will jury the submissions.

The fourth annual juried wet paint auction will be July 17. On the day of the event, juried artists will paint at locations that highlight Cape Elizabeth’s natural beauty. That evening, the artwork will be auctioned at a cocktail reception at Ram Island Farm in Cape Elizabeth. Proceeds benefit the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust’s Saving Cape’s Great Places initiative.

Artists are invited to submit two images of original paintings in any medium for consideration. For details, visit www.capelandtrust.org/paintforpreservation/2011.

LEWISTON

Ten students to compete for Poetry Out Loud crown

Ten high school students from across the state will compete for the title of Maine State Poetry Out Loud Champion on Friday at the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston. The winner will represent Maine in April at the national finals in Washington, D.C.

The competition began with 8,500 students at the classroom level at 45 public, private and parochial high schools across Maine.

In Lewiston, each of the 10 finalists will recite three poems selected from an anthology. Judges will evaluate competitors based on their accuracy, physical presence, voice and articulation, dramatic appropriateness, level of difficulty, evidence of understanding and overall performance.

Cumulative scores will determine a state champion, who will receive $200 and a trip to Washington to compete for the national title and a $20,000 scholarship. The winner’s school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The second-place finalist will receive $100, with $200 for his or her school library.

The evening will also feature the music of emcee Emilia Dahlin and the announcement of the new state poet laureate.

Doors open at 5 p.m., and the competition runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Admission is free.

The students competing are Ian Hawkes, 12th grade, Gorham High School; Bethanie Brown, 10th grade, Waterville Senior High School; Crystal Farrington, 12th grade, Lake Region High School; Lulu Hawkes, 11th grade, Catherine McAuley High School; Eloise Harnett, 11th grade, Gardiner Area High School; Morgan Wiggan, 10th grade, Thornton Academy; Bethany Bernhardt, 10th grade, Erskine Academy; Genevieve Shepard, 12th grade, Searsport District High School; Muyne Mohamed, 12th grade, Portland High School; and Frank Schuth, ninth grade, Shead High School.

KENNEBUNKPORT

Local woman earns honors in global photo competition

Mary Woodman of Kennebunkport recently won awards in the international competition in B&W and COLOR magazines for the 2011 Single Image Contest.

The image “Stones” won in B&W, and the images “Poppy,” “Cold and Fishy Eye” and “Causeway” won in COLOR.

Images were taken in Kennebunk, Boothbay Harbor, Kennebunkport and Deer Isle, respectively.

OGUNQUIT

Productions at playhouse nominated for 10 awards

The Ogunquit Playhouse has been nominated for 10 Independent Reviewers of New England Awards for two of its 2010 productions, “Sunset Boulevard” and “Spamalot.”

Film and television star Stefanie Powers and the production of “Sunset Boulevard” received nine of the 10 nominations. Powers was nominated for best actress in a musical for her performance as Norma Desmond. Todd Gearhart received a nomination for best actor in a musical for his performance as Joe Gillis.

The musical also received nominations for best ensemble and best musical.

Other nominations were for best set design, Todd Edward Ivins; lighting design, Rich Latta; musical direction, Ken Clifton; overall direction, Shaun Kerrison; and costume design, Anthony Powell. Casey Nicholaw received a choreography nomination for “Spamalot.”

The Independent Reviewers of New England Awards recognize the wealth of talent in the Boston and New England theater community.

The awards will be presented April 25 at the Boston Center for the Arts.

 

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