Portland Walking Library
2012–2019
Portland Walking Library was a course designed for first-year student at Maine College of Art taught between 2012–2019.
Each year, the class partnered with the local non-profit Portland Trails, which maintains a vast network of trails and green spaces in greater Portland. Students spent the semester exploring the city and documenting their experiences while learning about independent publishing as a vital tool for artists.
Community Partner: Jaime Parker, Trails Manager, Portland Trails
Exhibition Views: Zand Head Gallery, Maine College of Art, December 8–18, 2016, & December 2–6, 2012
Student Work: (3 & 7) Occasus, HelenaJefferson (9) SLG, Ozlenen Ozbicerier
Visualizing Portland’s Studio Culture
Portland’s Studio Culture was a special topics public engagement course taught in Spring 2016 at Maine College of Art.
During the semester students explored Portland’s art and design community through an intensive research process. The group visited eight local studios and interviewed creatives engaged in; advertising, branding, experiential design, UX/UI, printmaking and video production.
The semester culminated in an 184 p. print publication and exhibition—which both highlighted the care and work involved in sustaining a creative practice.
Participating Studios: Big Room Studios, Might & Main, Kingspoke, Knack Factory, p3, Pickwick Independent Press, The VIA Agency and Wing Club Press
Community Partner: AIGA Maine
Exhibition: Artists at Work, Maine College of Art, April 1–10, 2016, Portland, Maine