Discover powerful art and unique crafts created by currently incarcerated artists this December
WHAT: The Francis Hotel is proud to feature “Creating in Confinement,” an inspiring art exhibit and holiday gift market showcasing the talent and resilience of artists incarcerated in Maine. “Creating in Confinement” is a mixed-media art exhibit presented in collaboration with Maine College of Art & Design’s (MECA&D) Public Engagement Program. The exhibit features stunning photography, paintings, ceramics, and textiles, all crafted by individuals currently residing within Maine’s prison system. New for the holiday season, the artists have created an array of unique handmade gifts, perfect for giving to loved ones while giving back to the community. The Francis is proud to allocate 100% of the proceeds from art sales directly to the artists. Light snacks and beverages will be provided.
The Francis is dedicated to showcasing Maine’s vibrant art community through a rotating gallery in its common spaces. Each exhibit features local artists or subjects from Maine, providing guests and visitors with a dynamic cultural experience.
WHEN: The exhibit and gift market will run daily from Friday, December 6 through Thursday, December 26. Don’t miss the Holiday Art & Gift Market reception during Portland’s First Friday Art Walk on December 6, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, where you can meet individuals offering art, craft and entrepreneurship instruction at Maine Correctional Center and otherwise supporting arts programming.
WHERE:
The Francis Hotel
747 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04102
DETAILS: This inaugural collaboration between The Francis Hotel and MECA&D's Public Engagement Program celebrates the creativity and resilience of incarcerated artists, while supporting ethical reforms in the Maine prison system; this includes increased access to art materials and instruction, which reduces recidivism rates, improves mental wellness, and can develop vocational and entrepreneurship skills. The exhibit includes artists whose work has also been featured in exhibitions organized by Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition.
During the Holiday Art & Gift Market on December 6, guests will have the opportunity to purchase unique, handcrafted pieces including ceramics, knitted crocheted dolls, ponchos, baby blankets, booties, photographs, and paintings – perfect for holiday gifts. Available for only $15 are editioned lithographs hand-printed by MECA&D printmaking students from stones drawn on by artists at Maine Correctional Center.
INTERVIEWS & PHOTO OPS:
Opportunity to interview event organizers, shoppers, and members of the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition
Photos of the artwork and the exhibit available upon request
PRESS CONTACTS:
Anthony DeWitt
anthony@jamesblackpr.com
917-480-7262
Hannah Redfield
hannah@jamesblackpr.com
267-567-0524
About The Francis:
The Francis is a locally-owned boutique hotel with 15 uniquely designed guest rooms set in a beautifully restored historic mansion. The hotel strives to serve as a hub for community engagement and cultural enrichment, fostering collaboration across various artistic disciplines and providing a platform for underrepresented voices. In 2020 they collaborated with Indigo Arts Alliance on a temporary public art installation project across the street from The Francis inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. Since then, they have continued working with IAA on a number of projects and are proud to be corporate sponsors of the organization. Indigo Arts Alliance is a Portland based non-profit that embodies a Black-led, multicultural approach to the rich intersections of citizenship, community-building and creativity. They are also proud to be corporate sponsors of Mayo Street Arts, an organization that strives to strengthen the neighborhood and community by providing a haven for the arts that is vibrant, safe, and inspiring; and to engage area youths of diverse cultural communities in robust participation in the visual, performing and literary arts. Learn more at www.thefrancismaine.com.
About Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D)
Maine College of Art & Design has been activating students of all pursuits to make art, make an impact, and inspire change since its founding as Portland School of Art in 1882. Located in Portland's thriving Arts District, students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, 24-hour-a-day studios, a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and a community-based Artists at Work program—making MECA&D the right-sized school in the right-sized city for every student who wants to make their mark and be seen. MECA&D offers BFA Majors and Minors, Graduate Programs, Continuing Studies, Pre-College, and includes the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies and the Institute for Contemporary Art. MECA&D (pronounced: Maine College of Art and Design). Learn more at www.meca.edu.