Public Art - Arts in the Capitol

Arts in the Capitol

The Arts in the Capitol program provides the people of Maine-citizens, state workers and state lawmakers-with a unique offering of art exhibits in Maine's Capitol complex. Work is displayed in the Governor's gallery, the Blaine House, the Maine State House and the offices of the Maine Arts Commission.

Locations of below exhibit: Maine State House and Maine Arts Commission.

April through mid-June, 2008

Revisioning Portland

Selected works from the Revisioning Portland exhibit, on loan from the Maine College of Art and the Institute of Contemporary Art will be on display from April to mid-June, 2008, at the Capitol complex and the Maine Arts Commission office.

Photographer Mark Klett was asked to mentor BFA photography students at Maine College of Art. Mark Klett’s projects Second View and Third Views explore notions of time and perceptions of the American West by re-capturing views of the landscape made in comparison to nineteenth century photographs. These landmark works provided the methodology for the production of works in this exhibition. Using Historic images as a point of departure, the MECA students created artwork that captures the effects of time on Portland’s landscape. The works track the shifts in the physical, cultural, and visual terrain of the city.

Revisioning Portland - Portland Downtown Streets Revisioning Portland - Maypole

The Arts in the Capitol program provides the people of Maine-citizens, state workers and state lawmakers-with a unique offering of art exhibits in Maine's Capitol complex.

Locations and hours of operation

All Arts in the Capitol events are free and open to the public. The works are installed in offices of state employees and 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 State House 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

Archive of past Arts in the Capitol shows

September through mid-December, 2007: Bernard Langlais (63 kb .PDF)

Mid-January through early-April, 2008: Biting and Scratching (59 kb .PDF)

Arts in the Capitol project staff

Kerstin Gilg, Public Art Associate, Maine Arts Commission, 207/287-6729, kerstin.gilg@maine.gov

Sue Plummer, Special Assistant, Blaine House, 207/287-2121, sue.plummer@maine.gov