Family & Friends Weekend
is November 1–2, 2024
Please RSVP by October 25, 2024, at 12:00pm
Schedule
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Welcome Center and First Friday Art Walk
Porteous Building: Lobby
Downtown Portland
Start your First Friday Art Walk in the Porteous Building with a hot cup of coffee, tea, cocoa, apple cider, and fall festive treats.
Take time to listen to student musicians and explore the BFA Exhibition on floors LL-3 along with the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) at Maine College of Art & Design. You will find students selling their art along Congress Street. The Portland Museum of Art is free on First Fridays. Portland’s First Friday Art Walk is a free, self-guided tour of art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues on the first Friday of every month from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM.
As We Are Exhibition
Portland Museum of Art (PMA)
Downtown Portland–Congress Street and High Street
The Portland Museum of Art presents As We Are, a new exhibition featuring the work of 14 emerging artists with strong ties to Maine. As We Are aims to explore the intersection of contemporary art and Maine’s rich artistics heritage highlighting the diverse perspectives of young talents. The exhibition features several Maine College of Art & Design alumni and faculty. Participating artists include: Rachel Gloria Adams '15, Elana Adler, Adjunct Instructor and Studio Technician, Textile & Fashion Design, Maya Tihtiyas Attean '23, Oscar Chacon MFA '20, James Parker Foley MFA '20, Meg Hahn '17, Dylan Hausthor '15, Tessa Greene O'Brien MFA '16, Brian Smith MFA '20, and Anna Valenti MFA '20. For more details and updates on exhibition events, visit portlandmuseum.org/asweare. The PMA is free on the First Friday of each month.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Welcome Center and Check-In
Porteous Building: Lobby
Start your Family and Friends Day in the Porteous Building by checking-in, picking-up your schedule, and visiting the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) and the BFA Exhibition at Maine College of Art and Design. Enjoy a hot cup of coffee, tea, apple cider, and fall festive treats.
Photography students have designed a background for Family and Friends Weekend 2024. Get a family polaroid to start your day or make a button to represent the day on campus.
Have questions? Want recommendations about things to do in the area? Need to deck yourself out in MECA&D branded gear? MECA&D branded gear will be available in the lobby.
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
MECA&D Family and Friends 2024 Block Printing
Porteous Building: Lobby
Grab a MECA&D branded clothing item from the merchandise sale or upcycle by bringing one of your own MECA&D branded clothing items to get the official Family and Friends 2024 logo screened on to your item. Izzy Van den Heuvel, MECA&D Printmaking technician & Artist-in-Residence, will be here to blockprint the official Family and Friends 2024 logo.
10:30 AM - 10:50 AM
President’s Welcome
Porteous Building: Cafe
Join us for a welcome and learn about current and future initiatives from MECA&D President Laura Freid. Meet other friends and family members of our community too!
11:00 AM - 12:15PM
Interactive Sessions
Porteous Building and 380 Cumberland
Join Maine College of Art and Design faculty and master students in an interactive, hands-on session. These sessions provide a small glimpse into the life of a MECA&D student’s day and time to be with family and friends.
Comics Poetry: Make a Haiku Comic
Sarah Shaw, Assistant Professor of Illustration
Porteous Building: 509
In this workshop, participants will write a Haiku poem, draw accompanying imagery, and learn how to combine it all into a one-page mini-comic. This is limited to 25 individuals.
Bringing Animation to Life with Sound
Steve Drown, Assistant Professor of Music
Porteous Building: Recording Studio, lower level
We will start with a short student animation project with no sound and add the appropriate elements to make it a complete production. This will include dialogue, sound effects and music. We'll create some of it during the workshop. This is limited to 12 individuals.
Echos to Images: Turning Music into Memory Art
Sam Graudins, Admissions Communication & Events Manager
Porteous Building: 250
In this workshop, participants will explore the power of nostalgia and collective memory through the creation of a shared artwork. By blending music, drawing, and group discussion, we’ll uncover how memories shape our perceptions and learn how art can transform personal experiences into something that resonates with others. This is limited to 30 individuals.
Letterpress With Love: Printed Cards
Evelyn Wong, Assistant Adjunct Professor & Ashley Pelletier, Senior Printmaking Major
Porteous Building: 406
Learn about how letterpress printing works and print a greeting card that you can send home or gift to loved ones! This is limited to 20 individuals.
Lightscapes: A Creative Journey with Cameras
Megan Solis, PK-12 Visual Arts Teaching Candidate
Porteous Building: Osher Hall
During this workshop, we will be using DSLR cameras with low shutter speeds to make light paintings using flashlights and other glowsticks. No prior experience is required! This is limited to 14 individuals.
Needle Felting Animals
Sophie Masters, Masters of Teaching Candidate
Porteous Building: 508
During this workshop we will be learning how to needle felt small three dimensional animals from colorful wool! We will safely and creatively construct animal inspired soft sculptures using barbed felting needles. This is limited to 15 individuals.
Intro to Screen Printing
Sawyer Strouth, Junior Printmaking Major & Noah Pendleton, Sophomore Printmaking Major
Porteous Building: 405
During this workshop, you will learn how screens are used to print onto various items including paper and fabric. Designs have been created by your hosts Sawyer and Noah! This is limited to 20 individuals.
Book Making: Stitches for Soft Cover Journals
Samiyah Payton
Porteous Building: Library
These notebooks make a simple yet beautiful gift for the writer or artist you know. Whether you are new or experienced, come join in to take a moment to yourself or have fun with the people around you! This is limited to 25 individuals.
Take Your Student To Lunch
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Downtown Portland and the Old Port
Adventure Around the Area
2:00 PM - Onward