A true arts center for the community

 WHO WE ARE

In 1985, a small group of local artists opened a non-profit co-operative gallery on Water Street, called the Eastport Gallery, occasionally offering concerts and films. Artists, both visual and performing, began to move to town and became part of the organization. A community theater, Stage East, was born in 1990, and at that point, a non-profit umbrella organization was formed called the Eastport Arts Center. The Arts Center now has seven constituent members: the Eastport Gallery, Stage East, the Concert Series, ArtsBloom, Eastport Strings, the Northern Lights Film Society, and the Passamaquoddy Bay Symphony.

In late 2004, the Eastport Arts Center purchased an 1837 church, formerly known as the Washington Street Baptist Church. With two floors and almost 9,200 square feet of newly renovated space, including an elegant performing arts space on the second floor, the building provides a home within which its constituent members and the community's arts activities can thrive and grow. The Eastport Arts Center has become an environment rich with creativity, artists, and those who appreciate and support the arts.

 WHAT WE DO

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we strive to follow our mission "to stimulate and nurture an appreciation of the visual and performing arts and the creative process, and to provide a home and an environment within the community where they can prosper." We are generously supported by a strong network of volunteers and donors, all of whom work passionately for the same cause: a community arts center.

We are in the current process of renovating our 1837 Washington Street building and are working on creating an energy efficient building with the ability to comfortably and affordably stay open all year round. Last year, between June 2007 and June 2008, the Arts Center has been enjoyed by many people and organizations, culminating in a combined yearly usage of 880 hours.

The Eastport Arts Center is open to all who are interested in the arts and also rented for community events or private functions. Throughout the year, we have theatrical performances, music, dance, youth and adult education and community rental. We work closely with other non profits to stimulate the local creative economy, such as our collaboration on Eastport Market Day with the downtown Main Street organization, Eastport for Pride and the Sunrise County Farmer’s Union. The Eastport Market Day is held every Saturday,10am to 1pm, from the end of June until September. The market day combines local farm produce with fine artisan goods. We also have free live music performed by local musicians.

Board Members

	Nancy Asante - President Nancy is one of four owners of The Commons art gallery in Eastport. She worked for the Peace Corp Ghana, which was followed by 14 years teaching ESL in Africa and 14 years teaching ESL in Montreal. Nancy is a community activist and a member of the Passamaquoddy Bay Symphony Orchestra, as a flutist.
	Gregory Biss - Vice President A talented concert pianist and composer, Gregory has lived in Eastport for 25 years. He is one of the directors for the Eastport Strings and he is also a conductor for the program. He is a faculty member of the SummerKeys music school in Lubec and he is also privately teaches students.
	Marged Higginson - Secretary Marged is a devoted volunteer for the Eastport Community. Not only does she help out with the local food pantry, but she is also the Vice President on the Eastport for Pride Board of Trustees and on the Promotions Committee Chair, Eastport for Pride. She is a former owner of a full service inn in Connecticut, a wedding, church and oratorio soloist and also performed with a 100-voice choir.
	Barbara Smith - Treasurer Barbara is a registered nurse who currently works in a local dialysis center. She is a very talented and creative woman who is a potter and owns Dog Island Pottery. Barbara is also a singer and musician and has taught art and music to grades K-8. She is also the former Director of Down East Hospice.
	Beth Seilonen Owner of the Cat's Eye Gallery in Calais, Maine, Beth creates a variety of art from traditional watercolor paintings to unique contemporary stained glass art and copper. Beth is also a part-time art teacher and volunteer.
	Jon Bragdon He is the founder and president of the constituent program, Northern Lights Film Society. Jon serves as the director of the Arts Center's Sunday Night Film Series which shows both contemporary and classic films all year round. He is a dedicated teacher at the St. Croix Regional Technical Center and is a member of the Peavey Memorial Library Board of Directors.
	Jim Poffley Jim retired in 2004 to Eastport, in Down East Maine, where he is attempting to run half his restored house as a lodging facility for the local boat school students and members of the U.S.Coast Guard. Previous to retirement, Jim worked in the hospitality, marketing industry along with pursuing an academic career as an instructor around the world.
	Robert Arsenault
	Linda Milenkovic
	Michael Brown
	Merilyn Conti Mills
	Katherine Cassidy
	Joyce Weber A magnificent painter, Joyce is one of the founding member of the Eastport Gallery and the Eastport Arts Center. She is a former owner of an Eastport B&B and a framing business.

Staff

Chris Grannis - Facilities Manager Chris is a volunteer for the Pembroke Library and also serves as the Stage East's stage manager, set builder, props person. Chris, along with her husband Steve, have home-school 5 children on their 100-acre farm. Her youngest child, Reuben, is a budding actor and participates in many theater productions including the Eastport Arts Center benefit fundraiser, the Moose Island Follies.

Shelby E.H. Greene - Executive Director Born and raised in Washington County, Shelby has returned to the area after obtaining a B.A. in Art History and Anthropology. She is passionate about all forms of art, especially costume design and painting. She looks forward to helping the Eastport Arts Center reach milestones for years to come. Shelby recently married Jeffrey Greene of Addison, Maine.