‘Gardenship: First Voyage’ exhibit at Cove Street Arts extended through July 4

A vast, empty warehouse sat in the brown fields of Kearny Point, waiting for someone with a vision to give it new life. An intrepid crew of 14 Maine artists accepted the challenge, relishing the opportunity to build a new creative community out of an old Navy yard. From little more than this notion and the space, Gardenship was created.

Just a few months into the creation of Gardenship, these artists exhibit the first works created in this reborn space. This body of work is an artifact of their voyage, a visual touchstone that provides some tangible measure of their larger and more nebulous act of cultivating a space and community in harmony with those communities already in Kearny, New Jersey. The exhibition is an exciting glimpse into how this monumental project is shaping these Maine artists and influencing their work as they react to a new space and community. Where they will take Gardenship and where it will take them remains a wonderful mystery. This is the First Voyage.

The group exhibit “Gardenship: First Voyage,” curated by John Bisbee, has been extended until July 4 at Cove Street Arts.

The art center is located at 71 Cove St., Portland. Call 207-808-8911 or email [email protected] for more information.