As we all recognize the daily disruptions and challenges ahead for each of us, our communities are grappling with many unknowns. For decades, the Island Institute has been building networks to connect communities with practical information and support to solve problems. We have a firm commitment to our island and coastal communities to continue this support while we navigate these uncertain times together.
First, the well-being of our staff and community is our top concern.
As we activate our networks across the state and beyond, our Rockland Main Street office will close today for a few weeks as our dedicated staff has moved to their virtual offices. We are fortunate to have the tools in place to immediately operate remotely—though we have closed Archipelago, our brick and mortar store, the online store will remain open.
We have also canceled all upcoming in-person events, including our April Artists and Makers Conference and other near-term in-person convenings, and are now involved in designing virtual events to keep us connected during this period of social distancing.
In particular, we are focused on our partnership with the Maine Islands Coalition to rapidly implement strategies to share information and best practices between the islands during this time.
Our members, community leaders, partners, subscribers, and customers are encouraged to reach out to us here. We have a team assembled to promptly respond to your questions and to connect those working on the frontlines in our island and coastal communities to the resources they need in this time of change.
As things evolve, we will keep you informed. We’ll be updating you on new deadlines for our open application periods for the Aquaculture Business Development and Island Fellows programs. Our editor, Tom Groening, is also keeping his finger on the pulse of the coastal community news. Expect
The Working Waterfront newspaper to continue to publish the weekly e-newsletter and our monthly print newspaper. Please contact Tom directly as you find community stories that need telling.
For more information, see our resource page on our website. We’ll continue to add to this page as we move forward through the upcoming days and weeks, so keep checking back. Here you can review best practices on how to work remotely; the video from February’s 2020 Waypoints Forum, where we gathered to discuss “Courageous Leadership in Disruptive Times;” and we highlight some of the great work from our project teams, including the Waypoints: Connect publication and our new Edible Seaweed Market Analysis.
Be well and take care,
Rob Snyder
President, Island Institute
Dominique Ostuni’s solo exhibition, “Would an Angel Apologize for Spilling Champagne,” is on view through Oct. 3 at Dowling Walsh Gallery in Rockland. A centerpiece of the exhibition is “Excess Comes Naturally,” an elaborate mirror standing more than 8 feet tall. The work begins with an ordinary functional object, then overwhelms that function with porcelain, […]
Waterfall Arts will invite the public inside more than 40 artist studios during the Lincoln Street Center Fall Open Studios from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 17 at 24 Lincoln St. in Rockland. During the free event, artists will open their studios and welcome visitors into their creative spaces. Guests can explore Rockland’s historic former […]
“Made in Maine,” the Maine Art Gallery’s annual member show, features more than 100 works of art across two floors of the historic Old Academy building in Wiscasset. The exhibition is on view through Oct. 18. Sara Stites of Thomaston, a new member, is showing at the gallery for the first time. Her oil painting […]
High Peaks Artisan Guild in Kingfield features Western Maine watercolor artist Karen Jordan Paul throughout September. Paul draws inspiration from wildlife found throughout Maine, particularly wild birds and fish. The guild celebrated Paul as its featured artist of the month during the Sept. 4 Kingfield Art Walk. High Peaks Artisan Guild is at 245 Main […]
Turtle Gallery in Deer Isle presents “Material Storytelling,” a three-artist exhibition featuring new work by Sheep Jones, Michele Ratté Delphin and Barbara Sullivan, through Oct. 11. The three artists use distinct materials and techniques to explore narrative, light and the quiet poetry of everyday objects. Jones brings her signature combination of oil and cold wax […]
Photographer Melonie Bennett will discuss her exhibition and debut monograph, “Holy Cow!,” from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Maine Museum of Photographic Arts in Portland. The event will include an interview, reading and book signing. Photographer and writer Robert Diamante, a friend and fellow photographer, will interview Bennett. “Holy Cow!” presents an […]
Centre Street Arts Gallery in downtown Bath will open its fall show during the Bath Art Walk from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 18. The gallery represents 20 local artists and will feature new work in its fall exhibition. Visitors can meet the artists, explore the show and enjoy refreshments during the reception. Centre Street […]
Maine artist Daryne Rockett will present “Restoring Liberty,” an exhibition of monotypes and mixed-media work, from Oct. 2 to Nov. 24 at the McDade Gallery at Bangor Public Library. The exhibition brings together two interconnected bodies of work examining freedom, democracy, justice and hope. In a series of layered monotypes, the Statue of Liberty appears […]
Maine Craft Weekend, an annual statewide celebration of craft, community and creativity, will return Oct. 3 and 4. The free, self-guided tour invites visitors to discover the people, places and stories behind Maine’s craft communities. Hundreds of participating artists and locations will host open studios, workshops, pop-up markets, exhibitions, fairs, artist talks, special events and […]