The Maine Arts Commission is bringing the thrills and excitement of Maine?s summer to Augusta?s Capitol complex with an exhibition of 60 photographs that depict Mainers playing and having fun at state fairs and festivals.
The exhibition, that opened this week and remains until December, features work by some of Maine?s most talented photographers. It highlights 26 popular annual statewide events that bring Maine communities together through all seasons of the year. These include state fairs in Bangor, Skowhegan, Fryeburg, and the midway at Old Orchard Beach; an ice fishing festival on Sebago Lake, dog sled races in Fort Kent, and July 4 celebrations in Eastport and Castine.
"This show has been on my mind for years," explains Bruce Brown, the curator emeritus of the Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA) who organized the exhibition. "Certain photographs in the show, especially featuring state fairs by Dee Peppe of Hope, Philip Isaacson of Lewiston and Christine McLarty of Camden, have percolated in my mind's eye for more than a decade. The time had come to put such a show together. Mainers find so many ways to celebrate social, environmental and seasonal events and fortunately they attract the attention of several of Maine's most gifted photographers who help us see popular culture in new and engaging ways."
"What has been particularly unexpected and exciting is discovering the work of eleven photographers from all over Maine who are being exhibited for the first time at CMCA and in the Capitol, including Ilya Askinazi, Leslie Bowman, Bridget Brown, Kate Collins and Edwin Martin from greater Bangor, Rene Braun of Windham, Dagney Ernest of Thomaston, William L. Duncan of Stockholm, Arthur Fink of Peaks Island, Diane Hudson and Jo Moser from greater Portland and Brad Maushart of Kennebunkport.
The aim of the Arts in the Capitol program is to provide Maine citizens, state workers and state lawmakers-with a unique offering of art exhibits. The "On and Off the Midway" exhibit, like all Arts in the Capitol events, is free and open to the public. While the majority of artwork is easily accessible in the first floor lobby and Governor?s Gallery, some works may be installed in offices of state employees; this may require some flexibility on the part of visitors and respect for those working in these offices during the time of a visit. At times, exhibitions may not be accessible due to meetings. Visitors with special needs are encouraged to call ahead to make sure your visit is as enjoyable as possible.
Exhibitions are self-guided and may be visited within the prescribed times:
Maine Arts Commission Office 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Maine Statehouse 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Blaine House - 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Please call ahead at 207/287-2121).
Photo
Dee Peppe
Tickets, Union Fair, Maine, 1995/2003
Silver gelatin print, 20? x 24?
For more information:
Contact: Darrell Bulmer
Phone: 207/287-6746
email: darrell.bulmer@maine.gov
WWW: mainearts.com
