Birds of Prey by James
Cardinal Peace by F.R.A.N.K.lo
Ocean Gone by Sir Real CK
A powerful bird-themed art exhibit featuring artwork by incarcerated artists in Maine
Smorgasbird! An exhibition of artwork submitted by artists who are currently incarcerated in Maine in response to a call for art related to birds. Sponsored by Inside Vision, an arts program of the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition, in collaboration with Maine College of Art & Design's Public Engagement and Printmaking Programs, and the Maine Department of Corrections.
We thank The Francis Hotel for its support in bringing this work to the public. By hosting the exhibition, the hotel helps create space to recognize and elevate the talent of incarcerated artists, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the artistic expression that persists behind prison walls.
The exhibit opens Friday, October 3. Also on view during First Friday Art Walks in November and December.
This collaboration celebrates the creativity and resilience of incarcerated artists, while supporting ethical reforms in the Maine prison system; this includes increased access to art materials and instruction, which reduces recidivism rates, improves mental wellness, and can develop vocational and entrepreneurial skills.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Adriane Herman
aherman@meca.edu
About The Francis:
The Francis is a locally-owned boutique hotel with 15 uniquely designed guest rooms set in a beautifully restored historic mansion. The hotel strives to serve as a hub for community engagement and cultural enrichment, fostering collaboration across various artistic disciplines and providing a platform for underrepresented voices. In 2020 they collaborated with Indigo Arts Alliance on a temporary public art installation project across the street from The Francis inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. Since then, they have continued working with IAA on a number of projects and are proud to be corporate sponsors of the organization. Indigo Arts Alliance is a Portland based non-profit that embodies a Black-led, multicultural approach to the rich intersections of citizenship, community-building and creativity. They are also proud to be corporate sponsors of Mayo Street Arts, an organization that strives to strengthen the neighborhood and community by providing a haven for the arts that is vibrant, safe, and inspiring; and to engage area youths of diverse cultural communities in robust participation in the visual, performing and literary arts. Learn more at www.thefrancismaine.com.
About Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D)
Maine College of Art & Design has been activating students of all pursuits to make art, make an impact, and inspire change since its founding as Portland School of Art in 1882. Located in Portland's thriving Arts District, students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, 24-hour-a-day studios, a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and a community-based Artists at Work program—making MECA&D the right-sized school in the right-sized city for every student who wants to make their mark and be seen. MECA&D offers BFA Majors and Minors, Graduate Programs, Continuing Studies, Pre-College, and includes the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies and the Institute for Contemporary Art. MECA&D (pronounced: Maine College of Art and Design). Learn more at www.meca.edu.