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, Blaine House and Maine Arts Commission.

July through December, 2009

On and Off the Midway

The On and Off the Midway Exhibit brings the work of 26 of Maine’s talented photographers to Maine’s Capitol Complex. The exhibition contains 60 photographs that depict Mainers playing and having fun at state fairs and festivals.

The exhibition 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, to an ice fishing festival on Sebago Lake and dog sled races in Fort Kent and July 4 celebrations in Eastport and Castine.


	Leslie Bowman, Childrens'sParade Eastport, 2007

"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.


	Dee Peppe, Old Orchard Beach, 1995/2003

Also participating in On and Off the Midway are Melonie Bennett, Thomas Birtwistle, Tillman Crane, Kathie Florsheim, Sean Harris, Philip Isaacson, Kris Larsen, Christine McLarty, James McLarty, Patrisha McLean, Dee Peppe, Liv Kristin Robinson and David Stess

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

Blaine House 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (please call ahead at 207/287-2121)

Archive of past Arts in the Capitol shows

April through May, 2009: The Equinox Petroglyph Project (58 kb .PDF)

January through April, 2009: Dennis Pinette (47 kb .PDF)

June through mid-November, 2008: Katahdin Lake (55 kb .PDF)

April through mid-June, 2008: Revisioning Portland (49 kb .PDF)

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

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

Arts in the Capitol project staff

Alison Ferris, Assistant Director, Maine Arts Commission, 207/287-2710, alison.ferris@maine.gov

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