About Waterfall Arts
Waterfall Arts: Harnessing the Transformative Power of the Arts to Create Community
Waterfall Arts is an art center located in downtown Belfast, Maine. The organization was founded in 2000 with a mission to provide high-quality arts education and programming for people of all ages and abilities. Over the years, Waterfall Arts has become a hub for creativity and community engagement, offering a wide range of classes, workshops, exhibitions, events, and outreach programs.
At Waterfall Arts, the focus is on harnessing the transformative power of the arts to create community. The organization believes that art has the ability to connect people across differences and inspire them to work together towards common goals. Through its programs and initiatives, Waterfall Arts seeks to foster creativity, curiosity, empathy, resilience, and social change.
One of the key strengths of Waterfall Arts is its commitment to accessibility. The organization strives to make its programs available to everyone regardless of their background or financial situation. To this end, it offers scholarships for classes and workshops as well as free or low-cost events throughout the year.
Waterfall Arts also values collaboration with other organizations in its community. It partners with schools, libraries, businesses, non-profits,and other groups on various projects that promote arts education and cultural enrichment. By working together with others who share its vision,Watefrall Artshas been ableto amplifyits impactand reachmore peoplewithits messageof artistic expressionand social connection.
The art center's facilities are impressive too.WaterfallArts occupiesa historicbuildingin downtownBelfastthatwas oncea poultryprocessingplant.The buildinghasbeenrenovatedintoan expansiveart spacewithmultiplegalleries,classrooms,studiosthatcanaccommodateartistsworkinginvariousmedia,andevenaresidencyprogramforartistsfromaroundtheworld.The buildingitselfisaworkofartwithitsindustrialcharm,massivebeams,andhighceilings.It'stheperfectsettingforcreativitytobloomandflourish.
In terms of programming,WatefrallArts offersclassesandworkshopsinavarietyofdisciplinesincludingpainting,drawing,pottery,fiberarts,jewelrymaking,music,theater,dance,writing,andmore.Classesaretaughtbyprofessionalartistswhoarepassionateaboutsharingtheircraftswithothers.Studentsrangeinagefromtoddlers(toparent-childclasses)toelderlyadults.ThereisatrulydiversecommunityatWatefrallArtsthatwelcomespeopleofallbackgroundsandabilities.
In additiontotheclassesandworkshops,WatefrallArtshostsanumberofexhibitionsandreceptionsduringtheyear.Theseeventsfeaturelocal,national,andinternationalartistswhoshowcaseawidevarietyofstylesandsensibilities.Theexhibitionsarecuratedtocreateadialoguebetweentheartiststhemselvesaswellastheaudience.Theyoftenexplorethemesrelatedtosocialjustice,politics,culture,nature,humanity,andidentity.Throughtheseevents,WatefrallArtspromotescriticalthinking,self-reflection,anddialogueamongpeoplewhomightnototherwisehaveengagedwithoneanotherontheseissues.
AnotheruniqueaspectofWatefrallArtsistheresidencyprogram.Thisprograminvitesartistsfromaroundtheworldtocometothecenterforaperiodoftime(typically2-4weeks)tofocusontheircreativepractice,residewithotherlike-mindedindividuals,gainnewperspectivesontheirworkandinfluenceothers'works.Apartfromprovidingthemwithstudiospace,lodging,somefoodallowance,theorganizationalsoprovidesopportunitiesforresidentsinteractwiththelocalcommunitythroughouttheirstay.Residentscomeawayinspired,rejuvenated,andconnectedtoastrongnetworkoffellowcreativesacrosstheglobe.Thisprogramhasbeeninstrumentalinbringingnewideas,newvoices,newtechniques,toMaine'sartsceneovertheyears.ItalsohelpstoestablishBelfastasanimportantdestinationformoderncontemporaryartloversglobally
Finally,it'sworthmentioningthatWatefralArtsiscommittedtosustainability.Inadditiontorecycling,reusingmaterialswheneverpossible,italsousesenvironmentally-friendlyproductswheneverpossible.Waterfallsolarpanelsinstalledontherooftopsofthebuildingprovideelectricityforthefacility.Waterfalldoesn'tjusttalkaboutbeinggreen;itwalksthetalktoo!
In conclusion,WatrefrallsArtsservesasapowerfulforceforgoodinthecommunity.Itprovidesanoutletforexpression,aforumfordiscussion,alearningcenterforallagesandaninspirationforall.Whetherthroughclassesorresidenciesorpublicevents,thisorganizationharnessescreativitytopromoteconnection,toleranceandsocialchange.Ifyou'reeverinMaine,youoweyourselfavisittothisremarkableplace!
waterfallarts.org
