For the Fall 2024 season, Merrymeeting will be hosting our second annual artist-in-residence program for Maine artists. In fact, we will be supporting two residencies this Fall; one based out of Topsham/Bowdoinham and the other based out of the Bath/Wiscasset region. As our arts community has expanded over the last few years, we have recognized the need to support Maine artists in a more direct way. Maine artists and the local arts communities we serve are the backbone of our cultural footprint. The more we promote them, by developing opportunities to showcase their work, the stronger our communities will be for it.

Eligibility: Any visual artist living and working in Maine may apply. All types of studio practices are welcome. Current students in accredited post-secondary fine art programs are ineligible to apply.

NOTE: AIR application will be emailed directly to you after registration.

Quick Details:

• Partnering Art Gallery: Merrymeeting Arts Center (Topsham/Bowdoinham residency)
• Partnering Art Gallery: Chocolate Church Arts Center (Bath/Wiscasset residency)
• Type of Residency: Day program for working Maine artists (no living space provided, only studio space)
• Length of Residency: 4 weeks (Sept 2024 for Topsham/Bowdoinham residency, Oct 2024 for Bath/Wiscasset residency)
• Studio space for Topsham residency will be at 35 Republic Ave, 04086; Studio space for Bath residency will be at 34 Wing Farm Pkwy, 04530.
• Artist Stipend: $1,000.00
• Materials Stipend: Up to $250.00 (via reimbursement)
• Marketing Budget: Up to $150.00 (used by Merrymeeting)

AIR Artist Commitments:

• Artist Talk (one night) in the 1st week of residency.
• Public Engagement Activity (one night) in the 2nd week of residency.
• Culminating Project (solo show) in the 4th week of residency.
• One-time donation of one piece from solo show to Merrymeeting.

FMI: Contact Jose Rodriguez Jr. at rodriguezj@link75.org

Application period: 2/1-6/1

Kindness is a superpower that every one of us has. We will explore how “intentional acts of kindness” can transform our friendships, relationships, families, workplaces, schools, and politics. We’ll look at the different forms that kindness can take and share our personal experiences with kindness. We’ll explore the creation of our own “personal kindness practices” as well as collective acts of community kindness that are fun, creative, and meaningful. Students will have the chance to experiment with their kindness practices between sessions. We’ll discuss ways to support each other in rising to our kindest selves, including introduction to a wide variety of inspiring readings, films, and talks. This program meets the first Tuesday of every month between March and August 2024. The workshop fee includes access to all monthly meetings. Attending every meeting is not mandatory; feel free to participate when you can.

BECOME A PREMIER MEMBER TODAY! Join the Merrymeeting PREMIERE Membership Club for only $25! *membership fee is annual.

Membership benefits include:

Early Access: Premier members receive our catalogs digitally prior to public distribution, for exclusive early access to class schedules and offerings (actual registration still limited to public release).

Loyalty Program: Premier members receive 25% off every 6th class they take with Merrymeeting (applies to all classes under $100, excluding certain programs).

Catalog Opportunity: Premier members may submit announcements in our future catalogs, as we are dedicating a page for announcements by our Merrymeeting Premiere members. (restrictions apply, contact us directly for details).

Discount Offer: Premier members receive a 10% discount on any Merrymeeting Youth & Family program (excluding DE and any program over $400; can only be used once annually).

Exclusive Media: Enjoy convenient video workshops, on topics ranging from cooking to meditation, with access to our growing library of media (media library will officially launch May 2023).

Subscription Service: Premier memberships include a free subscription to our latest Merrymeeting Premiere Magazine (exclusive annual online publication emailed directly to club members).

Special Invitations: Premier members will enjoy access to special workshops and events developed especially for them.

Discover resilience in challenging times with 'How We Move Forward, Better and Stronger,' a comprehensive three-part series. Part 1 equips participants with tools to identify workplace stressors, build communicative structures, and handle change. Part 2 focuses on challenging negative attitudes, promoting optimism, and coping with organizational norms. In Part 3, learn to navigate difficult workplace conversations for reduced stress, increased confidence, and improved relationships. Elevate your skills for better career opportunities.

Join us April 26-28, 2024 for the annual "Three Million Daffodil Celebration" on Nantucket. We will depart Portland, Maine, head south and spend 2 nights in Hyannis. Saturday we'll hop on the high-speed ferry (across the street from our hotel) to Nantucket Island for the annual Daffodil Festival on Saturday. Enjoy the Daffodil Festival’s grand event - the Annual Antique Car Parade, which features over 100 daffodil-bedecked vintage cars. Wear your daffy hat, watch the car parade and welcome spring! 2 nights / Rates from $559 per person depending on room type. Coordinated by Nancy Dorrans of Adventure Marketplace.

Travel Dates: Friday - Sunday ~ April 26-28, 2024. *Register with Merrymeeting for more information. ***This trip is not FREE. The information is FREE.

In this program, children learn foundational science and find out how STEM is at work in the world around them! They learn about the animal kingdom, both on land and under the sea. They make mixtures and explore the science of motion and energy. They also discover the technology that powers our modern world. Classes: All About Animals, Energy Burst, Get Connected, Life in the Sea, Mix It Up, Moving Motion, Radical Robots, Super Power Sources. Program runs weekly on Fridays. *No Class: 4/19.

***Please note that the date for this workshop has changed. The new date is Satutday April 27th.

Frustrating to gardeners and arborists, and not readily favored by birds, Asiatic bittersweet is a largely useless bane on wild land. We can use traditional harvesting techniques to tend Asian bittersweet in the wild: harvesting material for baskets while controlling and suppressing future damaging growth. Learn to make a beautiful woven window feeder for birds! We'll cover identification, responsible collection, materials processing and storage, and creation, including the basics of stake-and-strand waling and randing weaves. The bird feeder that we will make is designed to be attached to a window. Suction cups for the bird feeder, along with all required tools and materials, will be provided.

Learn the basics to creating five minute comedy sketches, by exploring the fundamentals of sketch development. This class is for those that enjoy writing dialogue, see where we can go with a conversation, and hopefully make a few people laugh, and a few people smile. We will expand your ability to collaborate with other writers by using table reads and rewriting . This course is meant to be fun and entertaining, while learning the basics of comedy sketch writing. Final Draft required for class.