Artwork by Elizabeth Jabar and Colleen Kinsella
MAEA Spring Conference in Waterville!
April 4th, 5th, & 6th, 2025
We’re thrilled to invite you to the MAEA Spring Conference in Waterville, a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the arts! This year’s event, organized by Waterville Creates and in partnership with Colby College Museum of Art and the Colby Arts Office, will spotlight the vibrant art spaces and creative community in Waterville. If it’s been a few years since your last trip to Waterville, you’re in for a treat—prepare to be inspired!
April 4th, 5th, & 6th, 2025
We’re thrilled to invite you to the MAEA Spring Conference in Waterville, a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the arts! This year’s event, organized by Waterville Creates and in partnership with Colby College Museum of Art and the Colby Arts Office, will spotlight the vibrant art spaces and creative community in Waterville. If it’s been a few years since your last trip to Waterville, you’re in for a treat—prepare to be inspired!
Price of the conference covers 3 days of activities (option to attend some or all), two breakfasts, two lunches, First Friday drinks, and the awards dinner. All for the low, low price of $50.
Registration is $50 for active members and $75 after March 20th.
See additional rates on registration form.
Registration closes March 25th
Thanks to the Colby Arts Office and the Colby Museum of Art, we are offering conference scholarships! We have $150 and $300 dollar scholarships! See registration form for more info.
Registration is $50 for active members and $75 after March 20th.
See additional rates on registration form.
Registration closes March 25th
Thanks to the Colby Arts Office and the Colby Museum of Art, we are offering conference scholarships! We have $150 and $300 dollar scholarships! See registration form for more info.
|
Overnight Accommodations
Best Western Waterville - $129.00 plus tax and includes a full hot breakfast each morning. Parking and WiFi are free. Call - 207-873-0111 Waterville Fireside Inn & Suites - plenty of availability. $174.36, plus tax per night for any room with 2 Queen-sized beds or any of our Traditional rooms with 1 Single King-sized beds. The attendees might be eligible for lower Educator Savings Rates. We offer these rates to quite a few school districts and RSU's. Other accommodations, but may be more expensive: Lockwood Hotel - has rooms for Saturday and Sunday. Full on Friday. The Elmwood - has availability Hampton Inn Waterville, 207-873-0400 - has availability Pleasant Street Inn Bed & Breakfast in Waterville, ME Conference Schedule
Downloadable schedule Friday 4/4/25 4-7pm: Check in table open at Paul J Schupf Art Center 5-7pm: First Friday in Waterville First Fridays celebrate the vibrant creativity in Waterville through a wide array of arts experiences. On the first Friday of every month, Waterville opens its doors for anyone to meet artists, see performances, listen to live music, eat delicious food, shop at local businesses, enjoy the arts, and come together as a community. Dinner: Free Beer + Wine and meal on your own.
Colby student artists will be selling their original creations (prints, zines, pottery, and more!) Enjoy a live performance and DJ with Colby Music Incubator!
Saturday 4/5/25
|
8-9am: Check in table opens at PJSAC
Breakfast, Coffee and Tea in Hub
9-9:50am: Opening Kick Off at Waterville Opera House
Speakers Shannon Haines and Cory Bucknam
10am-12pm: Morning Workshops
Option #1: Crankies with artist and illustrator Lucky Platt
What is a crankie? Join artist and illustrator Lucky Platt for a hands-on program on the crankie- a unique moving panorama storytelling tool! Originating in the early 1800’s, the crankie involves two handled spools that can be ‘cranked’ to bring movement to an illustrated scroll. Create a great storytelling tool and an awesome art work using recycled boxes.
Bio: Lucky Platt creates children's picture books, life size bear paintings, crankies, mixed media animations, relief prints, paper sculptures and more delights in her lakeside home studio in Burnham, Maine. Lucky’s debut picture book, Imagine a Wolf was a 2022 Maine Literary Awards Finalist in Children’s, a 2022 Ezra Jack Keats Award Finalist in New Writers, a 2021 New England Book Award Finalist, and has been translated into Korean and Russian. Her stories explore themes of resilience, healing, positive self expression and inclusion, and are often illustrated in traditional art mediums such as oil paint, ink, gouache, graphite, paper sculpture, drypoint, pyrography and colored pencil. She has presented narrative art and writing workshops and artist talks for children and adults all over Maine.
Website:https://www.luckyplatt.com/
Breakfast, Coffee and Tea in Hub
9-9:50am: Opening Kick Off at Waterville Opera House
Speakers Shannon Haines and Cory Bucknam
10am-12pm: Morning Workshops
Option #1: Crankies with artist and illustrator Lucky Platt
What is a crankie? Join artist and illustrator Lucky Platt for a hands-on program on the crankie- a unique moving panorama storytelling tool! Originating in the early 1800’s, the crankie involves two handled spools that can be ‘cranked’ to bring movement to an illustrated scroll. Create a great storytelling tool and an awesome art work using recycled boxes.
Bio: Lucky Platt creates children's picture books, life size bear paintings, crankies, mixed media animations, relief prints, paper sculptures and more delights in her lakeside home studio in Burnham, Maine. Lucky’s debut picture book, Imagine a Wolf was a 2022 Maine Literary Awards Finalist in Children’s, a 2022 Ezra Jack Keats Award Finalist in New Writers, a 2021 New England Book Award Finalist, and has been translated into Korean and Russian. Her stories explore themes of resilience, healing, positive self expression and inclusion, and are often illustrated in traditional art mediums such as oil paint, ink, gouache, graphite, paper sculpture, drypoint, pyrography and colored pencil. She has presented narrative art and writing workshops and artist talks for children and adults all over Maine.
Website:https://www.luckyplatt.com/
Option #2: Tetrapak Drypoint Printing with Elizabeth Jabar (Hinge Collaborative)
Create unique and one of a kind prints with artist Elizabeth Jabar at the Hinge Collaborative studio for an introduction to drypoint using recycled materials and collage. Participants will make drypoint plates from recycled drink packaging known as Tetra Pak and experiment with various approaches to inking and printing on an etching press. Explore this accessible art form in a fabulous studio and retail space!
Bio: Elizabeth A. Jabar is a feminist printmaker who explores a range of personal-political issues in her work including cultural identity, representation, equity and maternal ethics. Her practice is located in the studio, the classroom and the community where she co-creates collaborative and participatory projects with students, colleagues and community members. Her hybrid works on paper and cloth display a highly personal visual language that incorporates motifs from popular culture, folk art, religious traditions and textiles. Elizabeth’s printed objects and environments embody printmakings’ democratic tradition of resistance and collective power and reflect her commitment to art as a tool for social change.
Website: https://www.hingecollaborative.com/
Create unique and one of a kind prints with artist Elizabeth Jabar at the Hinge Collaborative studio for an introduction to drypoint using recycled materials and collage. Participants will make drypoint plates from recycled drink packaging known as Tetra Pak and experiment with various approaches to inking and printing on an etching press. Explore this accessible art form in a fabulous studio and retail space!
Bio: Elizabeth A. Jabar is a feminist printmaker who explores a range of personal-political issues in her work including cultural identity, representation, equity and maternal ethics. Her practice is located in the studio, the classroom and the community where she co-creates collaborative and participatory projects with students, colleagues and community members. Her hybrid works on paper and cloth display a highly personal visual language that incorporates motifs from popular culture, folk art, religious traditions and textiles. Elizabeth’s printed objects and environments embody printmakings’ democratic tradition of resistance and collective power and reflect her commitment to art as a tool for social change.
Website: https://www.hingecollaborative.com/
Option #3: Paste Paper Making and the Accordion Book Workshop with Evelyn Wong
(Greene Block + Studios)
Join artist Evelyn Wong for an engaging workshop where you'll learn to create paste paper and use it to craft a simple accordion book. Paste paper is made by applying pigmented wheat paste directly onto paper and decorating it using tools such as blocks, stippling brushes, and graining combs. This decorative technique was widely used in bookmaking from the late 16th to the 18th century. Explore this historic art form and bring your unique creations to life!
Bio: Evelyn Wong(she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist exploring themes of history, trauma, culture, race, and gender through the lens of personal narratives as well as her Asian American heritage. Evelyn’s work has been exhibited recently in the Center for Maine Contemporary Art Biennial, and the Maine College of Art & Design Alumni Triennial Exhibition. Evelyn owns Fireball Bindery which offers handmade books, prints, stationery, and finely crafted products. Her specialty is making uniquely handbound and lovingly crafted journals inspired by Asian materials, designs, and bookbindings!
(Greene Block + Studios)
Join artist Evelyn Wong for an engaging workshop where you'll learn to create paste paper and use it to craft a simple accordion book. Paste paper is made by applying pigmented wheat paste directly onto paper and decorating it using tools such as blocks, stippling brushes, and graining combs. This decorative technique was widely used in bookmaking from the late 16th to the 18th century. Explore this historic art form and bring your unique creations to life!
Bio: Evelyn Wong(she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist exploring themes of history, trauma, culture, race, and gender through the lens of personal narratives as well as her Asian American heritage. Evelyn’s work has been exhibited recently in the Center for Maine Contemporary Art Biennial, and the Maine College of Art & Design Alumni Triennial Exhibition. Evelyn owns Fireball Bindery which offers handmade books, prints, stationery, and finely crafted products. Her specialty is making uniquely handbound and lovingly crafted journals inspired by Asian materials, designs, and bookbindings!
Option #4: 3D Printing for Art Teachers with Stephen LaRochelle (Ticonic Classroom)
Join Stephen LaRochelle, 3D printing expert from KVCC, for a hands-on workshop where creativity meets technology! Design your own stamp, 3D print it, and use it to create inked prints.
Stephen will also explore innovative ways to incorporate 3D printing into the art room and collaborate across content areas with fellow educators. As a valuable resource, he’ll share tips on securing funding for 3D printers to bring this cutting-edge technology to your school. Don’t miss this inspiring and practical session!
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3RRYiJYZC9Ds8wcqsJ6axw
Join Stephen LaRochelle, 3D printing expert from KVCC, for a hands-on workshop where creativity meets technology! Design your own stamp, 3D print it, and use it to create inked prints.
Stephen will also explore innovative ways to incorporate 3D printing into the art room and collaborate across content areas with fellow educators. As a valuable resource, he’ll share tips on securing funding for 3D printers to bring this cutting-edge technology to your school. Don’t miss this inspiring and practical session!
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3RRYiJYZC9Ds8wcqsJ6axw
Option #5: Expressing Identity Through Art: Teaching Keith Haring’s Legacy with Philippa Dyer
Explore the vibrant art and activism of Keith Haring in this hands-on workshop! Get ready to refocus your historical lense and consider how an iconic artist reflected his gay identity and commitment to social justice, and learn to bring these themes into your classroom to encourage diversity and self-expression for all learners, regardless of their identity.
This workshop will be a lot of hands on art-making, a little guided critique and discussion, and a touch of historical context. We will provide strategies for scaffolding lessons, focusing on how to guide students in exploring identity, empathy, and creativity—even if they aren’t queer. Using accessible materials like paint, markers, and collage, you will develop ideas for inclusive art making, display, and critique that celebrate individuality and build connections amongst learners.
Participants will gain insight into Haring’s legacy, practice creating original artworks inspired by his style, and leave with adaptable lesson plans to inspire students of all ages. This workshop will be taught by K-12 public school educators but educators who work with adults or in alternative learning spaces are encouraged to attend.
Explore the vibrant art and activism of Keith Haring in this hands-on workshop! Get ready to refocus your historical lense and consider how an iconic artist reflected his gay identity and commitment to social justice, and learn to bring these themes into your classroom to encourage diversity and self-expression for all learners, regardless of their identity.
This workshop will be a lot of hands on art-making, a little guided critique and discussion, and a touch of historical context. We will provide strategies for scaffolding lessons, focusing on how to guide students in exploring identity, empathy, and creativity—even if they aren’t queer. Using accessible materials like paint, markers, and collage, you will develop ideas for inclusive art making, display, and critique that celebrate individuality and build connections amongst learners.
Participants will gain insight into Haring’s legacy, practice creating original artworks inspired by his style, and leave with adaptable lesson plans to inspire students of all ages. This workshop will be taught by K-12 public school educators but educators who work with adults or in alternative learning spaces are encouraged to attend.
12-12:50pm: Lunch
Lunch Panel Discussion: Technologies in the Art Room (Greene Block+ Studios)
Join Stephen LaRochelle, Misha Oraa Ali, Nicole Karod, and fellow experts for a dynamic panel discussion on integrating technology into the art room. Share your experiences, ask questions if you’re just starting out, and discover fresh ideas and valuable resources to enhance your teaching practice.
Lunch Panel Discussion: Technologies in the Art Room (Greene Block+ Studios)
Join Stephen LaRochelle, Misha Oraa Ali, Nicole Karod, and fellow experts for a dynamic panel discussion on integrating technology into the art room. Share your experiences, ask questions if you’re just starting out, and discover fresh ideas and valuable resources to enhance your teaching practice.
1-2pm: One-hour Afternoon Workshops
Option #1: Easy and Effective Advocacy Tips + Tricks with Cory Bucknam (Greene Block + Studios)
Join MAEA president Cory Bucknam to learn a variety of concrete tools and strategies to use when negotiating for needs for your program: advocacy materials to hand to administrators and school board members, tips on how to use A.I. to help write advocacy letters, how to reference NAEA position statements to strengthen arguments, and how to use state and national data, publications, and legislation as ammunition.
Option #2: Cultivating Creativity in the Natural Classroom: An Art Educator's Journey as a National Park Fellow with Heidi O’Donnell
Embark on a transformative journey! Integrate science, art, and environmental stewardship into your curriculum. Discover how immersive experiences, collaborative learning, and creative strategies fostered a love for nature in my students. Leave empowered to cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards. Lead by Heidi O’Donnell
Option #3: Our Nature Project: A Collaboration with Art and Outdoor Play with Tyler French, Holly Hubbard, and Serena Sanborn
How can art solve big problems? Come learn about a collaboration in arts and outdoor play at Waterville’s George J Mitchell School, which began as a project of Project Design Lab in June of 2024. We asked ourselves “What kind of outdoor space creates joy and connection?” and “Can the outside life of the school foster the inner life of our students?” Come find out about the journey of the project thus far and the ideas behind it.
Option #4: Waterville Opera House Tour and History
Go behind the scenes at the Waterville Opera House to see the set construction shop, costumes + props area, and historic murals with long time WOH employee and playwright Em Ouellette.
Option #1: Easy and Effective Advocacy Tips + Tricks with Cory Bucknam (Greene Block + Studios)
Join MAEA president Cory Bucknam to learn a variety of concrete tools and strategies to use when negotiating for needs for your program: advocacy materials to hand to administrators and school board members, tips on how to use A.I. to help write advocacy letters, how to reference NAEA position statements to strengthen arguments, and how to use state and national data, publications, and legislation as ammunition.
Option #2: Cultivating Creativity in the Natural Classroom: An Art Educator's Journey as a National Park Fellow with Heidi O’Donnell
Embark on a transformative journey! Integrate science, art, and environmental stewardship into your curriculum. Discover how immersive experiences, collaborative learning, and creative strategies fostered a love for nature in my students. Leave empowered to cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards. Lead by Heidi O’Donnell
Option #3: Our Nature Project: A Collaboration with Art and Outdoor Play with Tyler French, Holly Hubbard, and Serena Sanborn
How can art solve big problems? Come learn about a collaboration in arts and outdoor play at Waterville’s George J Mitchell School, which began as a project of Project Design Lab in June of 2024. We asked ourselves “What kind of outdoor space creates joy and connection?” and “Can the outside life of the school foster the inner life of our students?” Come find out about the journey of the project thus far and the ideas behind it.
Option #4: Waterville Opera House Tour and History
Go behind the scenes at the Waterville Opera House to see the set construction shop, costumes + props area, and historic murals with long time WOH employee and playwright Em Ouellette.
1-3pm: Two-hour Afternoon Workshops
Option #1: Laser Cutting for Clay with Misha Oraa Ali (Ticonic Classroom)
Join artist and scientist Misha Oraa Ali for a hands-on workshop exploring the creative potential of laser-cut stencils in your clay projects. Guided by Misha’s innovative teaching style, you’ll design and craft custom stencils using the Glowforge Pro laser cutter. Learn how this versatile tool can expand your classroom techniques and inspire fresh approaches to clay art.
Bio: https://mishaoraaali.com/
Option #1: Laser Cutting for Clay with Misha Oraa Ali (Ticonic Classroom)
Join artist and scientist Misha Oraa Ali for a hands-on workshop exploring the creative potential of laser-cut stencils in your clay projects. Guided by Misha’s innovative teaching style, you’ll design and craft custom stencils using the Glowforge Pro laser cutter. Learn how this versatile tool can expand your classroom techniques and inspire fresh approaches to clay art.
Bio: https://mishaoraaali.com/
Option #2: Community Crankie Making with Lucky Platt (Waterville Public Library- drop-in)
Join artist Lucky Platt for a communal drop-in making event at the Waterville Public Library. We will create a large crankie to bring to the awards dinner and offer as a door prize! Crankies are the ultimate story telling device that is at once very analog but visually compelling in videos and reels online.
Join artist Lucky Platt for a communal drop-in making event at the Waterville Public Library. We will create a large crankie to bring to the awards dinner and offer as a door prize! Crankies are the ultimate story telling device that is at once very analog but visually compelling in videos and reels online.
2:30-4:30pm: Afternoon Workshops
Option #1: Gentle Movement with Matthew Cumbie
Looking to energize your afternoon and discover simple, engaging dance activities for you and your students? Join Matthew Cumbie—a renowned dancemaker, writer, and assistant professor at Colby College—for an inspiring session designed specifically for educators.
In this workshop, you’ll explore the art of movement as a tool to spark curiosity, foster creativity, and bring a fresh sense of vitality into your day. Matthew’s collaborative approach to dance invites participants to reconnect with themselves and the world around them through playful and accessible movement exercises. Whether you’re new to dance or a seasoned mover, this session promises to be a joyful exploration of the body and imagination.
Option #1: Gentle Movement with Matthew Cumbie
Looking to energize your afternoon and discover simple, engaging dance activities for you and your students? Join Matthew Cumbie—a renowned dancemaker, writer, and assistant professor at Colby College—for an inspiring session designed specifically for educators.
In this workshop, you’ll explore the art of movement as a tool to spark curiosity, foster creativity, and bring a fresh sense of vitality into your day. Matthew’s collaborative approach to dance invites participants to reconnect with themselves and the world around them through playful and accessible movement exercises. Whether you’re new to dance or a seasoned mover, this session promises to be a joyful exploration of the body and imagination.
Option #2: Exploring Wabanaki Studies Through the Arts with Brianne Lolar, Helen Allen-Wheeler, and Kaya Lolar (Greene Block + Studios, TGS Clay Studio)
Join Brianne, Helen, and Kaya as we dive into ways to weave Wabanaki studies into your work. Wherever you are in your Wabanaki studies learning journey, there’s a place for you. We plan to get hands on and leave with resources to bring back to your classroom, organization, or homes!
Brianne Lolar is a citizen of the Panawahpskek (Penobscot) Nation and lives on Alenape Menehan, also known as Indian Island, in what is now called Maine. She graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor’s in Social Work, a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education, and a Master’s in Literacy. Brianne worked in the Panawahspkek community with the elders and youth for years before moving into the classroom to teach kindergarten, first, and second grade. Currently, she is bringing voice and representation to Wabanaki through partnerships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators and organizations as the first Wabanaki Studies Specialist with the Maine Department of Education.
Helen Allen-Weldon has lived in what we now call Maine for her whole life. She grew up in Brooklin and feels especially connected to the coast. She has been an elementary art teacher for 8 years at Holden Elementary School. She began working to incorporate Indigenous studies into her classroom after working with the Wabanaki Studies group creating MOOSE modules and educator guides. Her favorite thing about including Wabanaki Studies in the classroom is getting to learn with her students and grow her own knowledge of the area she has lived in her whole life.
Kaya Lolar is a citizen of the Panawahpskek Nation and is on track to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Social Anthropology and English from Harvard University in the spring of 2025. She has worked for the past two years as an Instructional Designer and Wabanaki Advisor creating and collaborating on resources for Wabanaki Studies education and recently started as the Wabanaki Studies and Policy Contractor at Maine Environmental Education Association. Kaya has a passion for writing (especially creatively) and greatly values the power of storytelling as one of many tools to amplify Indigenous voices and inspire the youth of many generations to come.
Join Brianne, Helen, and Kaya as we dive into ways to weave Wabanaki studies into your work. Wherever you are in your Wabanaki studies learning journey, there’s a place for you. We plan to get hands on and leave with resources to bring back to your classroom, organization, or homes!
Brianne Lolar is a citizen of the Panawahpskek (Penobscot) Nation and lives on Alenape Menehan, also known as Indian Island, in what is now called Maine. She graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor’s in Social Work, a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education, and a Master’s in Literacy. Brianne worked in the Panawahspkek community with the elders and youth for years before moving into the classroom to teach kindergarten, first, and second grade. Currently, she is bringing voice and representation to Wabanaki through partnerships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators and organizations as the first Wabanaki Studies Specialist with the Maine Department of Education.
Helen Allen-Weldon has lived in what we now call Maine for her whole life. She grew up in Brooklin and feels especially connected to the coast. She has been an elementary art teacher for 8 years at Holden Elementary School. She began working to incorporate Indigenous studies into her classroom after working with the Wabanaki Studies group creating MOOSE modules and educator guides. Her favorite thing about including Wabanaki Studies in the classroom is getting to learn with her students and grow her own knowledge of the area she has lived in her whole life.
Kaya Lolar is a citizen of the Panawahpskek Nation and is on track to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Social Anthropology and English from Harvard University in the spring of 2025. She has worked for the past two years as an Instructional Designer and Wabanaki Advisor creating and collaborating on resources for Wabanaki Studies education and recently started as the Wabanaki Studies and Policy Contractor at Maine Environmental Education Association. Kaya has a passion for writing (especially creatively) and greatly values the power of storytelling as one of many tools to amplify Indigenous voices and inspire the youth of many generations to come.
Option #3 Tour at Colby College Museum of Art
Explore the current exhibition Radical Histories: Chicanx Prints from the Smithsonian American Art Museum with Museum Curators and Engagement team members. Tour begins at 2:30pm and will meet in the Museum Lobby. Guests will be encouraged to explore the Museum’s collection galleries following the tour.
Explore the current exhibition Radical Histories: Chicanx Prints from the Smithsonian American Art Museum with Museum Curators and Engagement team members. Tour begins at 2:30pm and will meet in the Museum Lobby. Guests will be encouraged to explore the Museum’s collection galleries following the tour.
Option #4 Rope Walk with Susie Brandt (The Hub - drop in!)
Join us for a unique opportunity to transform discarded clothing into stunning works of art! Collaborate with Rockland artist, Susie Brandt, who is currently working with 4Hers in four states on Interaction of Color Quilts for an upcoming State Fair show at the Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC.
We’ll repurpose worn-out garments into vibrant rope, breathing new life into forgotten textiles. Bring those old clothes tucked away for rags or overlooked for donation, and let's ignite our creative spirits as a community. Join us in crafting art that celebrates sustainability and community connection! The community created ropes will be door prizes at the awards dinner on Saturday.
Bio: Susie Brandt is based in Rockland, Maine and in the Southern Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. She works across textile and other media to investigate color, time, utility, civic engagement and myths surrounding landscape and identity. Her artwork recasts lost and found material culture into textile objects, performances, and installations. Her art is in the permanent collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, and the Albany Institute of History and Art, among others.
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/susiebrandt/recent-work?authuser=0
Join us for a unique opportunity to transform discarded clothing into stunning works of art! Collaborate with Rockland artist, Susie Brandt, who is currently working with 4Hers in four states on Interaction of Color Quilts for an upcoming State Fair show at the Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC.
We’ll repurpose worn-out garments into vibrant rope, breathing new life into forgotten textiles. Bring those old clothes tucked away for rags or overlooked for donation, and let's ignite our creative spirits as a community. Join us in crafting art that celebrates sustainability and community connection! The community created ropes will be door prizes at the awards dinner on Saturday.
Bio: Susie Brandt is based in Rockland, Maine and in the Southern Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. She works across textile and other media to investigate color, time, utility, civic engagement and myths surrounding landscape and identity. Her artwork recasts lost and found material culture into textile objects, performances, and installations. Her art is in the permanent collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, and the Albany Institute of History and Art, among others.
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/susiebrandt/recent-work?authuser=0
Option #5 Brushstrokes and Bytes: Exploring AI in the Art Classroom
Join Nicole Davis from the DOE to unlock the creative potential of artificial intelligence in your art classroom! This session is tailored for art educators seeking to enhance both their productivity and student engagement through AI tools. Discover innovative ways to streamline lesson planning, grading, and communication while exploring inspiring activities to integrate AI into the Art classroom.
Nicole Davis is the Emerging Technology Digital Specialist for the Maine Department of Education, where she has been supporting the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into classrooms across the state of Maine for the past two and half years. With over 20 years of experience as a math and science educator in Maine and North Carolina, Nicole has a deep understanding of the diverse needs of students and educators. Through her role, she has led numerous presentations and workshops statewide, equipping Maine schools with the tools and strategies needed to effectively implement AI in education across various grade levels. She resides in Damariscotta with her dog Luna and enjoys spending time in nature.
Join Nicole Davis from the DOE to unlock the creative potential of artificial intelligence in your art classroom! This session is tailored for art educators seeking to enhance both their productivity and student engagement through AI tools. Discover innovative ways to streamline lesson planning, grading, and communication while exploring inspiring activities to integrate AI into the Art classroom.
Nicole Davis is the Emerging Technology Digital Specialist for the Maine Department of Education, where she has been supporting the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into classrooms across the state of Maine for the past two and half years. With over 20 years of experience as a math and science educator in Maine and North Carolina, Nicole has a deep understanding of the diverse needs of students and educators. Through her role, she has led numerous presentations and workshops statewide, equipping Maine schools with the tools and strategies needed to effectively implement AI in education across various grade levels. She resides in Damariscotta with her dog Luna and enjoys spending time in nature.
5-7pm - Catered Dinner at Colby College Museum of Art and MAEA Awards Ceremony
Enjoy a delicious dinner with MAEA members, and celebrate 2025 awardee's.
Enjoy a delicious dinner with MAEA members, and celebrate 2025 awardee's.
Sunday 4/6/25
8:30-9:30am: Breakfast and Play at the Children’s Discovery Museum
Come eat breakfast and play in a museum designed by Field Magnet, a design firm in Biddeford Maine. Museum director Amarinda Keyes will be on hand to tour the space and talk about the choices they made to create a new children's museum with playful, joyful, and thoughtful references to the town of Waterville.
10am-11:30am: Field Trips
Option #1 Field Trip to South Solon Meeting House with Véronique Plesch
The South Solon Meeting House deserves to be called the “Sistine Chapel of Maine”: between 1952 and 1956, courtesy of the nearby Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, its interior was completely covered in frescoes depicting Biblical subjects, along with a few secular depictions in the lobby. A dozen artists, many at the time in their twenties, participated. Most of them went on to become famous, often in other media, such as beloved writer and illustrator of children's books Ashley Bryan. Come learn how this extraordinary place came about in the middle of rural Maine and discover the messages its frescoes convey. Please dress warmly for this event!
Bio: Véronique Plesch is Professor of Art History and chair of the Art Department at Colby College. Born in Argentina and raised in Switzerland, she holds advanced degrees from the University of Geneva and from Princeton University, where she received her Ph.D. in 1994, the year she joined the Colby faculty. In the fall semester of 2022, she taught the Digital Lab Tradition and Innovation in Mid-Century Frescoes: The South Solon Meeting House. Plesch is the author and editor of nine books and over 100 articles in English, French, Italian, and Spanish. She is one of the editors of the Maine Arts Journal: Union of Maine Visual Arts Quarterly, to which she regularly contributes.
For more on the meeting house: https://web.colby.edu/southsolonmeetinghouse/
8:30-9:30am: Breakfast and Play at the Children’s Discovery Museum
Come eat breakfast and play in a museum designed by Field Magnet, a design firm in Biddeford Maine. Museum director Amarinda Keyes will be on hand to tour the space and talk about the choices they made to create a new children's museum with playful, joyful, and thoughtful references to the town of Waterville.
10am-11:30am: Field Trips
Option #1 Field Trip to South Solon Meeting House with Véronique Plesch
The South Solon Meeting House deserves to be called the “Sistine Chapel of Maine”: between 1952 and 1956, courtesy of the nearby Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, its interior was completely covered in frescoes depicting Biblical subjects, along with a few secular depictions in the lobby. A dozen artists, many at the time in their twenties, participated. Most of them went on to become famous, often in other media, such as beloved writer and illustrator of children's books Ashley Bryan. Come learn how this extraordinary place came about in the middle of rural Maine and discover the messages its frescoes convey. Please dress warmly for this event!
Bio: Véronique Plesch is Professor of Art History and chair of the Art Department at Colby College. Born in Argentina and raised in Switzerland, she holds advanced degrees from the University of Geneva and from Princeton University, where she received her Ph.D. in 1994, the year she joined the Colby faculty. In the fall semester of 2022, she taught the Digital Lab Tradition and Innovation in Mid-Century Frescoes: The South Solon Meeting House. Plesch is the author and editor of nine books and over 100 articles in English, French, Italian, and Spanish. She is one of the editors of the Maine Arts Journal: Union of Maine Visual Arts Quarterly, to which she regularly contributes.
For more on the meeting house: https://web.colby.edu/southsolonmeetinghouse/
Option #2: Field Trip to the L.C. Bates Museum
Located about 15 minutes from Waterville, this little known gem of a natural history museum features unique impressionist style paintings in the 20 dioramas that grace the interior. Painted by artist Charles Hubbard, the dioramas depict the varied habitats of Maine and include local fauna. The largest mammal diorama even includes a caribou, which were once a part of the Maine ecosystem. It is a treasure trove of natural history collections, including fish caught by Ernest Hemingway! Discover the history of the incredible dioramas with museum director Lydell Bade.
Located about 15 minutes from Waterville, this little known gem of a natural history museum features unique impressionist style paintings in the 20 dioramas that grace the interior. Painted by artist Charles Hubbard, the dioramas depict the varied habitats of Maine and include local fauna. The largest mammal diorama even includes a caribou, which were once a part of the Maine ecosystem. It is a treasure trove of natural history collections, including fish caught by Ernest Hemingway! Discover the history of the incredible dioramas with museum director Lydell Bade.
Option #3: FIeld Trip to Colby College Museum of Art with Wabanaki focused lens
Join staff and educators at the Colby College Museum of Art for an engaging workshop on incorporating Indigenous stories and perspectives when interpreting works of art by non-Native artists and makers.
We’ll begin by introducing key concepts, approaches, and terminology before heading into the galleries, where participants will select a work of art to analyze through this new lens. This interactive session will spark thoughtful discussion around survival, sovereignty, cultural revitalization, colonialism, and environmental activism.
Come ready to explore, reflect, and engage—and enjoy some snacks while you're at it!
Join staff and educators at the Colby College Museum of Art for an engaging workshop on incorporating Indigenous stories and perspectives when interpreting works of art by non-Native artists and makers.
We’ll begin by introducing key concepts, approaches, and terminology before heading into the galleries, where participants will select a work of art to analyze through this new lens. This interactive session will spark thoughtful discussion around survival, sovereignty, cultural revitalization, colonialism, and environmental activism.
Come ready to explore, reflect, and engage—and enjoy some snacks while you're at it!
12-1pm: Lunch Pick up at Paul J SChupf Art Center