Springing into Action: Youth Art & Show Openings
Spring has started growing its roots into the greening soil, and we have already started planning for summer. The Japanese Knotweed is growing rapidly, as we rapidly try to pull them from the Earth, planning our future garden. The Dandelions in the yard are transitioning to their fluffy crowns, some still shining bright in the cloudy days. Spring cleaning has infected our office as we purge and scrub the floors, and excise the winter accumulation.
Between two art shows opening, Atlantic Morning and Dark the Night and Bright the Stars, our summer youth classes, the Norway Maine Arts Festival, along with all of our local and in-house programming, summer seems to be filling up quickly! We are lucky to be joined by two fellows this summer, a Youth Art Fellow and a Graphic Design Fellow. Tours have been running through the building, showing off our carefully fixed floorboards and new drywalls. The lights aren’t out until late around here!
We are excited and dedicated to continuing accessible art programming for children. The program that we are building is necessary and unseen in the area. There is a reason that art programs in rural Maine are not as robust and often seen as frivolous compared to metropolitan spaces, and it is not for a lack of talent and interest of the people. Creativity, resourcefulness, and craftsmanship are clearly apparent in rural spaces in the woods and rocks, coasts and rivers, as our video series has shown. One of the primary reasons that this is the case is that the economy is less robust than other areas, coastal or urban.
To speak plainly, money does make the world go around. The work we are doing cannot exist without the financial support of the people around us. By donating or supporting Lights Out, you are directly contributing to a rural economy that funds and supports the arts. From giving children access to summer art programming outside of school to being able to pay artists to teach their craft, we, you and I, are helping the arts to become a valuable and endowed job in our economy and life, creating a new cultural landscape for talents we already see around here to be valued.
Would you consider donating to help support our mission to connect Maine artists and their circles to a broader community?
Summer Youth Art Fellowship Begins!
Making a splash in Norway, it’s Kellen Mottl!
Joining us for the summer to bring our second annual Youth Art Class to life is Kellen Mottl. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Kellen found her way to Maine three years ago to attend Colby College. Double majoring in Anthropology and Classics, her strong influence of the humanities and experience with community outreach has lead her here to Lights Out. Her work will help expand arts access for kids living in the Oxford Hills region. Big warm welcome to Kellen!
and a direct ask from our new fellow herself…
Hello!
I recently joined Lights Out Gallery to organize and run the Summer Youth Arts Program. As you may know, this arts education program serves kids in Western Maine, where there is a lack of access to creative opportunities for youth. Last summer, we ran a successful two-week pilot program, and registration filled up immediately, with a waitlist of families eager to participate. Here is a link to an AdDem article about the program from last year if you are interested in reading more.
We are inviting Maine-based artists to share their expertise and joy for the arts by leading a hands-on, one to two-day class in which each student will create a project that they can proudly display at the closing showcase. Last year, we had artists lead workshops in painting, mosaics, book-making, and other arts.
Program Details
Dates: July 7th through July 18th
Location: Norway, ME
Daily Schedule:
Morning Class (10 AM - 12 PM): Ages 7-10
Lunch Break and Drop off/Pick up (12 PM - 1:00 PM)
Afternoon Class (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Ages 11-14
Compensation: $300 (or more) per day
Materials: Provided by Lights Out Gallery
If you are interested in participating in this program and sharing your craft, please contact Kellen at kmmott26@colby.edu with dates that work best for you within the program schedule, a general idea of a project you’d like to teach or instruct, and a list of materials you’ll need for the class.
Upcoming Programming:
Community Art Night
Sundays, 2pm-5pm in the Community Room at Lights Out!
Why make arts and crafts at home alone when you can do it with others! Bring your materials or some of ours to spend some time being creative! Recent projects have included, painting miniatures, mixing DJ sets, darning and sewing, watercolor journaling, beading, painting and drawing, clay sculpting, and more!
Community Lunch + Volunteering
Wednesdays, 10am-2pm in the Community Room at Lights Out!
Volunteer with us and get a chance to meet other people who love supporting local events and spaces. Stop by to help out or to eat a nice meal with us around 1pm! RSVP so we can plan!
In the Arms of the Mothers Opening
Saturday, May 24th, 3pm- 5pm, at The Ballroom in Harrison, ME
Come to the beginning of a week-long of programming at The Ballroom in Harrison created by the esteemed Katey Branch. An interactive healing arts experience where you are invited to participate in grieving the pain of the world together in community with love.
Atlantic Morning Opening
Thursday, May 29th, 4pm- 8pm, in Woodhull at the Safford House, Portland, ME
Come to our brand new shiny show opening on Thursday, May 29th at the historic Safford House in Portland. A highly curated selections of renowned Maine artists paired with delicious drinks from Norway Brewing Company will pack quite a punch for a glamorous evening.
In the Mouth of Foxglove
Thursday, June 12th, 5pm- 7pm, at The Waterford Inne, Waterford, ME
Missed our Mayday opening? No worries, we have another evening just for you! Join us on June 12th at the Waterford Inne to see our whimsical and fantastical curation of the historic Waterford Inne. If you haven’t been to the rustic and vintage respite in the woods, stop by and say hello!