We were thrilled to hear that photographer, printmaker, and educator Craig Stevens was recently awarded the first Susan Carr Educators Prize by the American Society of Media Photographers. The prize, named for ASMP's long-time education director who passed away last fall, is awarded annually to a person who has made a significant contribution over their career to the education of imaging professionals. We certainly could not imagine a person more derserving of this honor than Craig Stevens, who has been instructing and inspiring students here at Maine Media since 1974. Known as something of a pied piper, Stevens is legendary for leading students gently but firmly through critiques, and for his ability to kindly push artists out of their comfort zone and into surprising new creative places. In addition to being a treasured presence here at Maine Media for almost four decades, Stevens is also a Professor of Photography at Savannah College of Art & Design.
Want to experience Stevens's amazing teaching style for yourself? Join him for Experimental Digital Printmaking starting on July 14, or Personal Vision and the Expressive Print starting on August 18. Congratulations, Craig!
Siri Beckman, a master of wood engravings, opens the first of two Printmakers in Conversation exhibitions at 
The National Association of Broadcasters conference in Las Vegas was an amazing adventure in 2013. HUGE thanks to our sponsor B&H for giving us some space and attention in their booth. They are always hospitable, helpful, and such avid supporters of MMW, it's great to share space with them. We were blown away by the booths, products, and style of Canon, Sony, Arri, Steadicam, and all of our sponsors who exhibited. Highlights: lectures from Daniel Pearl and Vincent Laforet, face to face time with professionals across the media spectrum who support us in so many ways, and the opportunity to meet prospective new sponsors that we hope to bring on board to get our students the best and newest gear. It wasn't warm or sunny in Las Vegas that week, but it didn't matter because there was so much to do at the convention, we rarely made it outside.
Maine Media environmental communication instructors 
Congratulations to the winners of the latest 
One of America's foremost character actors of the stage and screen will be joining Maine Media's MFA guest faculty this spring. Having made his film debut in The Deer Hunter, Joe Grifasi has since gone on to appear in more than 50 films, including Moonstruck, Splash, The Flamingo Kid, Benny & Joon, The Hudsucker Proxy, The Naked Gun, Batman Forever, and Natural Born Killers. You've also seen him regularly on Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU. We're thrilled that our MFA candidates will be gaining from Grifasi's experience as an actor who has worked with directors like Oliver Stone, Joel & Ethan Coen, Michael Cimino, Alan Pakula, and John Sayles, as well as his own stage directing experience. Grifasi currently teaches at The New School for Drama in NYC, and conducts master classes at numerous universities across the country. We look forward to welcoming him here in Rockport, and to watching our students profit from his knowledge. 
Artists learn and hone their craft in many ways, but perhaps no relationship is more instructive and lasting than one built with a mentor. Sharing a lifetime of knowledge with another artist—from favorite techniques and tools of the craft to inspiring self-criticism and deeper motivation—mentors can propel an artist forward, illuminate new creative territory and serve as a guide through periods of self-doubt.