“Here is Magic” Public Art Project A Nod To Waterfall Arts’ Long History of Community Collaboration

Belfast, ME — May 31, 2023 — Waterfall Arts’ new collaborative public art project  “Here is Magic” further solidifies their role as an anchor of the Midcoast art community. This modular 32-panel mural design, using a hive of hexagons, “is a mark of respect for both the individuality of our community members and the power of collaboration in Maine,” as proposed by local mural artist and Waterfall Arts’ Public Art Liaison Peter Walls and Waterfall Arts’ Program Director Amy Tingle.

Over thirty local artists are set to participate by completing individual reflective narratives on the theme of home. When joined together, these panels will form a whole; a creative placemaking that will highlight and celebrate the natural assets of Midcoast Maine. Waterfall Arts is an active home, a nest, an incubator for the fine arts, a hive of energy and inspiration for the entirety of the Midcoast and beyond.

This public mural project is a springboard to create deep and more meaningful collaborations between Midcoast artists, art organizations, and regional entities. By fairly compensating the artists, engaging and educating them about how to be more active community members, as well as teaching them new ways to be self-sustaining in their studio practices, Waterfall Arts cultivates a creative community that can grow and ultimately support itself.

Local artist and project co-coordinator Peter Walls says, “ one of the most engaging roles of public art today is to enliven or reinterpret public spaces like Waterfall Arts. Our project ‘Here Is Magic’ was created in order to allow artists a chance to be seen and heard outside of the gallery system, educating them about the creation of Public Art, while also establishing the newly renovated building as a beacon for the Arts and Culture of the region.”

The mural will fill the blank wall on the south side of the Waterfall Arts’ building, organically working its way around the corner to the front, which faces High Street. Although this is the initial installation design for the mural, it may not be the only one, and Waterfall Arts, through their existing partnerships with the local community, is hoping to plan other smaller, temporary installations of the panels  throughout Waldo County in order to further facilitate community collaboration, fostering new relationships to grow the hive.

The boundary of each individual piece, the hexagonal shape, is not just designed for maximum flow across the brick building, but speaks to a deeper significance embodying the warm embrace, the “home-ness” found through creative expression and community gratitude, for both its human members and greater ecology. Waterfall Arts invites you to follow along via their social media channels, on Facebook and Instagram, and through their website for exciting updates on the installation process, behind-the-scenes with participating artists, and exclusive sneak peaks.

The official unveiling ceremony and reception will take place Friday, September 8th, from 6:00 PM — 8:00 PM EST  at Waterfall Arts, 256 High Street. Belfast. Maine, 04915.

“HERE IS MAGIC” PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Kirk Linder, Deborah Jellison, Christina Barstow, Allegra Kuhn, Elizabeth Moore, Sally Stanton, Marjorie Arnett, Liz Kalloch, Tara Morin, Victoria Barnes, Willy Reddick, Annadeene Fowler, Sam Maheu, Devon Kelley-Yurdin and Lilah Akin, Abbie Read, Heidi Reader, David Estey, Libby Sipe, Emily Sabino, Karen Jelenfy, MJ Viano Crowe, Nell Parker, Amy Lowry, Ruby Day, Julie Crane, Lesia Sochor, Paul Valentine, Ashley Megquire, Kelly Desrosiers, Barbara Sullivan, Stew Henderson, Peter Walls, and Amy Tingle . 

ABOUT THE WATERFALL ARTS ‘HERE IS MAGIC’ PROJECT & SPONSORS

Waterfall Arts would like to extend our sincerest thanks to our Donors and Sponsors for “Here Is Magic”: the Lesher Family Foundation, Viking Lumber, Charlie Ulmscneider of Belfast CNC, and Stanley Subaru.

ABOUT WATERFALL ARTS

Launched in 2000, Waterfall Arts is a community arts center that offers resources to arts enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. We welcome the public to engage in the arts through classes, exhibitions, art events, performances, public art projects, open studios (in clay, glass, print, and darkroom photography) and more.For more information, visit waterfallarts.org, follow us @waterfallarts, or call 207-338-2222.