News

We’re thrilled to announce the opening of a new gallery devoted to exhibiting photographs and works on paper by Maine related artists.  The PhoPa Gallery, located in the former site of the Addison Woolley Gallery, is a collaboration among photographer Jon Edwards, independent curator Bruce Brown, and Maine Media Workshops + College. PhoPa will divide its schedule between showcasing works by MMW+C students, alumni, and faculty with exhibitions organized by Brown and Edwards.

PhoPa’s debut exhibition will feature the work of award-winning photographer and Maine Media alum, Melonie Bennett. Opening on February 14, Bennett’s Bad Ass documents life in the Portland club scene, as well as a raucous week-long Caribbean cruise with Kid Rock and his band. 

Bad Ass runs at the PhoPa Gallery, 132 Washington Ave., from February 14 through March 30, 2013, with an Artist’s Talk on Sunday March 17 at 2pm. For more information call: 207-317-6721 or 207-415-4279. We hope to see you there!

We’re thinking about legacy and leadership as we celebrate our 40th anniversary in 2013. Founded by David Lyman in 1973, the Maine Photographic Workshops (our original name) was populated with students and faculty sporting tie-dye t-shirts, bell bottoms, and mutton chops. Black & white photos in our archives feature students and faculty hanging off the deck of the old Union Hall Building and playing volleyball in the grass. Back then our students were sometimes referred to as “Blue Dots” by locals, due to the big blue dot on their Sylvania flashes, making them easily recognizable as they roamed Midcoast Maine.

This year, Union Hall is being renovated, and Maine Media Workshops + College is focused on leading the way in the art and craft of visual storytelling for the next 40 years and more. We continue to offer the very best instruction with master faculty from all over the world. The experience remains unique -- sharing the day’s work over great meals under the tent, immersing yourself for a week or longer in the creative process, and being inspired by the scenic beauty of coastal Maine. We still dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to your growth as artists and professionals. And we continue to evolve and grow, offering new workshops and innovative programs. 

Celebrate with us!

We’ve got a slew of exciting events happening here to celebrate our big Four-Oh. Come visit us this summer. Whether this is your first time, or your first time in many years, we're really looking forward to seeing you! Here's what's going on in Rockport during this special anniversary year:

40th Anniversary Gala at Union Hall, June 22

An elegant evening in the newly-renovated Union Hall, the original home of the Workshops. This fundraising event will honor MMW+C's legacy and leadership in the community.  Seating is limited to 100 guests, tickets are $250/each.

Mentor: 40 Photographers | 40 Years Exhibition Opening, July 27

For 40 years, Maine Media has helped photographers and filmmakers learn and hone their craft. To honor the spirit of collabration between master artists and their students, Maine Media is partnering with the Center for Maine Contemporary Art to present an exhibition featuring the work of some of Maine Media's best-known master teachers alongside the work of photographers they mentored who continue to carry on that tradition. 

Alumni Weekend, August 10 & 11

Join us in the height of summer fun season for a homecoming in true Blue Dot style. We'll celebrate the second opening of the Mentor exhibit at CMCA, while also showcasing other faculty members in an exhibit in our own gallery. There will be volleyball, barbeque, music, and yarn spinning with old friends. If you're coming from out of town, please make your reservations early. It's one of the busiest weekends in Midcoast Maine. Tickets are $40/each.

Maine Media Gallery Shows:

May 30 -- Professional Certificate Student Work

Opening Reception Thursday, May 30, 6:30-8:00pm

June 2-28 -- Spirit of Place Contest Winners

Opening Reception Friday, June 7, 6:30-8:00pm

July 1-27 -- A Woman Observed: Photographs, Remembrances, and Writing About Kate Carter. Curated by David Lyman. 

Opening Reception Tuesday, July 9, 6:30-8:00pm

July 29 - September 30 -- Maine Media: Focus on Faculty

Opening Reception Saturday, August 10, 4:00-6:00pm

We just heard about a volunteer organization that helps restore family photos damaged in natural disasters. Founded in 2006 by photojournalists Dave Ellis and Becky Sell, Operation Photo Rescue is now an organization of more than 700 volunteers from around the globe who help collect, copy and digitally restore priceless family photographs. OPR’s volunteers have helped restore more than 9,000 images from families affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. Right now the group is gearing up to help victims of Hurricane Sandy, planning a “copy run” in early February at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. If you have time, money, or talent to share, drop the folks at OPR a line.