The University of Maine Museum of Art (UMMA) is ushering in this spring semester with an arsenal of community outreaches and stylistics. Their schedule is geared toward the community with the inclusion of camps, clubs, art factories and even a night saved for those 21 and over.
Along with a series of unique events, the museum generally hosts three exhibits per year. Some exhibited artist collections are “The Life of David” by Jared Cowan and “20 Years” by Brenton Hamilton.
Cowan is a Maine-based sculptor and video installation artist. His art pieces represent events within the life of an Olympic cross-country runner by the name of Emilio Mazzeo. His work “conveys a message of perseverance over tragedy,” according to the UMMA website.
Brenton Hamilton, a Maine-based photographer, is changing the way we see photography. He works with liquid photographic emulsions as paint in combination with 19th-century processes to create a new version of photography. Artist Siobhan McBride’s work with gouache prints is also on display at the museum.
Last Wednesday, UMMA held its Winter Wigout Weekend, a wig-making workshop, as well as its Brainy Art Trivia Night. Brainy Art Trivia Night, in particular, is reserved for the 21 and over crowd. This is where you can test your level of art fanatic by guessing correct and earning prizes. Cash prizes as well as the potential to win a membership to the museum are among the rewards. It requires a $5 donation to attend and refreshments are provided.
On Friday nights starting Jan. 27, between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., there will be a Sketchbook Club. This club is open to all skill levels and allows participants an open space in which to experiment and refine their sketching skills. Late this month, on Jan. 31 there will also be a special Spotlight Gallery held. This event will feature the works of local Bangor High School students and will last for two weeks. The museum encourages the community to come out and show their support for these young artists.
Coming up in February, in tandem with the theme of love, there will be a Valentine workshop. Here you can make cards and other crafty semblances of the day for your friends, family and loved ones. Like many of the events at UMMA, this is also free to the public.
Salon night this year will be held on Mar. 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will focus on the major themes of this semester’s gallery exhibits. This year one of the larger focuses will be technology versus tradition.
For those who have children, the Big Winter Art Camp hosts grades 2 through 5 and currently accepts approximately 15 students. It takes place from Feb. 20 to Feb. 24 and corresponds with the Bangor school breaks and you can register online. It costs $125, which includes all necessary supplies. The work practiced will correspond to the art styles featured in the gallery during this semester.
Similarly, on May 5, UMMA will be hosting a Spring Art Factory. It will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will revolve around art styles that relate to the museum’s current exhibits. It will be free and open to the public.
As always, the museum encourages students to come and forward their learning about the different styles of art as well as how it is progressing. UMMA is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free to attend. In addition, they are offering both volunteer and work-study positions to students. More information about these opportunities and events can be found on their website.
