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.

The Eastport Arts Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. We involve the entire community in the process and appreciation of art and welcome the participation of people from varied cultural backgrounds.

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

	Joyce Weber - President 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.
	Nancy Asante - Vice 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.
	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.
	Gregory Biss 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.
	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.
	Lou Esposito Lou is the regional Vice President of the First National Bank of Bar Harbor. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the Calais Regional Hospital board. He is an active community theater participant; as a founding member and director of Stage East, he is also on the board, a treasurer and founding member of Magnificent Liars, and serves on the advisory board of the Calais Community Theater.
	Katie Evans Katie is a Mental Health Therapist and a senior Grants Manager for the Community Health Facility. She is a theatrical lighting designer, Stage East Treasurer and Chair of the Pembroke School Committee.
	Edward French Edward is the Publisher/Editor for The Quoddy Tides in Eastport. He is a very talented organist who regularly gives pipe organ concerts in the area, including demonstrating how to play the organ to local school groups. He is the church organist for St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
	Douglas Gaither Douglas is a retired Lt. Col., U.S. Army and later retired from a second career in Business Applications Programming. He has just completed two years as Flotilla Commander for the Eastport Flotilla of the USCG auxiliary. Squadron Commander and District Commander for the U.S. Power Squadrons. Along with his military honors, Douglas has performed with community orchestras since his 19th year. He has been musical director for a number of theater productions. He currently performs as a French Hornist with and is Director of the board for the Passamaquoddy Bay Symphony Orchestra.
	Dennis Mahar Dennis is an attorney in Calais and also serves on the Calais Regional Hospital Board of Directors. He also participates in local and statewide politics.
	Anne Moody Anne studied Ballet and Modern Dance in N.Y. and worked as Associate Director and Development Director for the Ensemble Studio Theatre and other arts groups in N.Y. She has produced and/or fundraised for numerous theater productions in Washington County. She has also acted as Director in various capacities for several human service organizations in Washington County.
	Lora Whelan Lora has lived and worked in Maine since 1995. She was the first executive director of Eastport for Pride, Eastport's Main Street Maine program. In 2007 she returned to school full-time to receive a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership degree in May of 2008. She is dedicated to the development of Washington County's community by building civic engagement and strength through different types of business strategies, including nonprofit. She serves as a volunteer for Eastport Arts Center, ArtsBloom, Eastport for Pride, Washington County One Community Economic Development Committee, and is the co-owner of The Woolly Moose, a retail knitting supply and consignor shop in Eastport's historic downtown.

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 Howe - 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 is also a volunteer for Eastport for Pride.