Photographer David Caras is among Maine artists who have overcome travel restrictions to visit and work in Cuba.

Illegally wired panels, constructed to provide free electricity to occupied abandoned buildings in Cuba, are the subject of Caras’ latest series of photos.

“Street Scene #8” by Portland photographer David Caras. He shot mostly in black and white before his first trip to Cuba; now he shoots mostly in color.

Katie MacNichol and Bruce Turk in “Our Man in Havana.” The pre-Castro comedy by Clive Francis opens this week at Portland Stage Company.

Portland writer Philip Hoose traveled to Cuba seven times between 1999 and 2006. He got a congra drum lesson during a visit to Santiago.