First Friday Art Walk

Join Portland Public Library for First Friday Art Walk from 5:00-7:00pm. This month, we celebrate the opening of Washed Away presented by the Union of Maine Visual Arts.

Washed Away 
Presented by the Union of Maine Visual Arts - UMVA - www.TheUMVA.org

The UMVA is an arts organization deeply rooted in Maine Artists working together to build community through collaborations and strengthening each other’s work with group exhibitions, art events and collaborative creating.

In January of 2024, Mainers saw first-hand, more than ever before, the sea rising up and washing away waterfronts, shorelines and places we have known and loved for lifetimes. Wind and water dragged the remnants off to sea. 

Similarly, disruptions to our long-held beliefs, faiths, and individual rights have been pummeled by the powerful, exposing us to new levels of vulnerability. Our very sense of what is true has been thrown into doubt. 

This exhibition is an opportunity for the large membership of UMVA from all across Maine to both mirror and comment on what is happening in these historic times - what is “washed away” for us because of the physical and political storms that are felt throughout our communities; with changing land use, jobs, housing, businesses and even the right to make personal choices. 

We also asked the artists: 'In the wake of this year’s events, what saved you?' Some of our artists explore the emotional changes of stormy times within our communities as well as in the world in which we share a common future.  While others show us how they overcame some of the events of the past year.

Have a look at what they share with us in this amazing exhibition.

This UMVA 'Call to Art' has received an enormous outpouring of exceptional artwork from members across Maine. We cannot display them all, but we will be showing a video during the exhibition that will loop through all the submissions continuously so that viewers have the opportunity to experience the breadth of interest and talent in Maine.

This exhibition has been curated by Carl Little, - Poet, Author, Journalist, Lecturer, and Art Curator. He will be present at the opening on May 2 as well as on First Friday, June 6th, at which time he will give a gallery talk about the show.
 

Click below for more information about the Lewis Gallery:
Lewis Gallery | Portland Public Library (portlandlibrary.com).