The Art in the Capitol program features work throughout the Capitol Complex and offers Maine artists an additional venue for their work. It is designed to expand the audience for Maine artists or artists working in Maine on Maine-based themes.
All Art in the Capitol exhibits are free and open to the public. Exhibitions are self-guided and may be viewed during the building hours where the exhibition is on display.
Building hours:
| Maine Arts Commission Office: | Capitol and Burton M. Cross Buildings: |
| 8:30am - 4:30pm, Mon - Fri | 8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri |
For more information about Art in the Capitol, contact Danielle Moriarty, Program Director at vog.eniam@ytrairom.elleinad
CURRENTLY ON DISPLAY:
The latest exhibit at the State House Gallery is a collection of vibrant, color photographic portraits of Black Mainers of all ages. Erin Moore, named Maine's 2018 Portrait Photographer of the Year by the Maine Professional Photographers Association, was inspired by a museum exhibit. Or what was not on display. In her artist statement, she says, “In 2019, while walking through the Portland (Maine) Museum of Art I noted there wasn't any representation of black people throughout the museum.”* She noticed this in other prominent museums around the country. Later that year, she “soaked in” an exhibit in Philadelphia entitled 30 Americans, showcasing work of 30 African American artists. Raising a multi-cultural family, she was motivated to act. “At that moment I vowed to create a body of work that I could exhibit.” Each portrait shares the name and description of the subject. The exhibit will be on display in the Capitol building through April, 2024. Erin Moore holds a master’s degree in human resources, and founded and leads Mercy Street Studio, the largest portrait photography studio in Southern Maine.
*The Portland Museum of Art has made a commitment to diversify their collections, exhibitions, and accessibility. See www.portlandmuseum.org/art-for-all
Art in the Capitol:
This exhibition is organized through the Maine Arts Commission, a state agency responsible for strengthening the arts in Maine. The Art in the Capitol program features work throughout the Capitol Complex and offers Maine artists an additional venue for their work. It is designed to expand the audience for Maine artists or artists working in Maine on Maine-based themes. All Art in the Capitol exhibits are free and open to the public. Exhibitions are self-guided and may be viewed during business hours.
Award-winning high school student art is now on display at the Capitol Complex in the Maine Excellence in Arts Education annual exhibit.
“One of the great things about student artwork is they really show what our young people are thinking about, what they care about. And they depict these feelings and topical issues so beautifully and creatively,” Program Director Martha Piscuskas said, who organizes the show. “It’s a privilege to be able to share the work here at the Capitol.” The exhibition, open to the public 9 AM – 5 PM Monday-Friday, is installed in the Cross Office Building and the Maine Arts Commission office until May 31.
Every spring the Congressional Institute sponsors the Congressional Art Competition, a nationwide High visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since it began in 1982, more than 650,000 High students have participated. Here in Maine, the Maine Arts Commission organizes the competition with a separate jury from each district in collaboration with the Scholastic Awards, MECA&D, and the staff of our Congressional delegation. The first-place artwork from each district is displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year.
