March 14, 2026 at Belfast Free Library

• • 15 members attended

• • Current count of Midcoast/Downeast chapter members is over 180!

• • We went over updates on current shows, recently closed calls for art, and upcoming exhibitions. The next call to artists will be for “Dreaming at Dawn” to be held at the Bangor Library in August–September 2026 and open to all members. There is room for a few large 3-D works and some smaller 3-D works, in addition to three gallery spaces for 2-D work. The submission period will last one month—tentatively mid May to mid June to open for submissions. Shanna Compton & Emily Sabino are coordinating, juror TBD.

• • Shanna Compton announces UMVA will be refreshing and updating the website after a focus group meeting (May) and welcomes feedback about members experience and issues/ suggestions for updating. Email her at admin [at] the umva [dot] org.

• • Sue Garrett is looking for artists interested in participating in the Belfast Senior College Festival of the Arts September 2–5, 2026. Planning help and volunteers during the festival are needed as well as exhibitors. She’s also looking for five workshop teachers—for a stipend of $300 (plus lunch)—to facilitate workshops each weekend day. Artists over the age of 50 may submit a piece of art in any medium. Contact Sue Garrett at seniorcollegefestivalofart29@gmail.com to submit a workshop proposal or to get more details.

The bulk of our time was spent on a vigorous discussion around Artist Statements. Special thank yous to Leslie Moore and Betty Schopmeyer of Local Color Gallery in Belfast for their informative feedback from the gallerist’s point of view. Several members shared anecdotes on statements that got positive or negative results. Shanna compiled handouts with resources and exercises for attendees to take home. (Notes and resource packets were emailed to all chapter members on March 23.)

We ended the meeting sharing/discussing artworks of those who brought work to share.

We welcome suggestions and ideas for future discussions or presentations from all chapter members!