Opening Reception: Thursday, May 25 from 5:00 – 7:00pm
Waterville, Maine — Common Street Arts, a program of Waterville Creates!, is pleased to present, Picturing Waterville, an arrangement of contemporary and historical photographs that considers the central theme of the built environment within the city of Waterville. These images offer a moment to reflect on Waterville by considering its architecture, landscape, revitalization, construction, and urban renewal from the 19th century to the present day. Picturing Waterville opens on Wednesday, May 24 and the public is invited to the free opening reception of the exhibition on Thursday, May 25 from 5:00-7:00pm at Common Street Arts in The Center Building, 93 Main Street in downtown Waterville.
In this exhibition, Common Street Arts has brought together the photographs of Gary Green, Associate Professor Art at Colby College. Green’s series, Elm City, is comprised of several groups of photographs that consider Waterville’s changing spaces, the facades of neighborhoods and downtown, and the interiors of buildings. These photographs are presented together with a selection of images from the Waterville Historical Society’s Redington Museum, offering a historical reflection alongside Green’s contemporary perspective.
Waterville Creates! is pleased to partner with a broad array of community partners to realize this exhibition. The associated public programs are designed to encourage broad participation and engagement throughout the greater Waterville community.
In conjunction with Picturing Waterville:
”snap”
snap is an ongoing, interactive, community photography project, designed in conjunction with the Picturing Waterville exhibition at Common Street Arts, on view from May 24 through July 1, 2017. The goal of snap is to highlight a broad range of visual perspectives while honoring the unique perspective that each member of the community brings to our shared and changing environment. In snap, community members are invited to submit snapshots of Waterville that have a personal and meaningful connection for the viewer—whether a landscape, building, streetscape, landmark, or other setting within Waterville. These images will be shared with the community through social media and displayed during the exhibition. Common Street Arts is hosting a snap Facebook Page to share submissions and create a continuous dialogue between participants, the exhibition, and Waterville community. To participate in snap, visit https://www.facebook.com/snapwtvl/ Photos can be submitted to Facebook by people of all ages; Digital images can also be submitted electronically to [email protected].
Photography and Migration: Waterville Stories
In association with Picturing Waterville, Common Street Arts is pleased to host: Waterville Stories, a selection of video narratives and photographs representing the history of Waterville. Videos were recorded at a community event at the Waterville Public Library on April 22, 2017 where area residents shared their family photos and migration stories. Community members of all ages talk about their family’s arrival in Maine, their cultural heritage, and the role that photographs play in preserving it. Large photograph reproductions of vintage Waterville portraits and street scenes will also be displayed in the Common Street Arts gallery, on loan from several historical photography collections recently donated to Special Collections, Colby College Libraries. Organized by the Photography and Migration Project, Waterville Stories will be at Common Street Arts from May 24 through July 1, 2017.
Introduction to Pinhole Photography: FREE
Saturday, May 27 – 1:00-3:30pm at Common Street Arts
Explore the unlimited possibilities with film photography through Introduction to Pinhole Photography. Instructor Johanna Moore will discuss the history, art, and science behind the technique and discuss a variety of cameras she employs to take photographs using both film and paper negatives. Participants will build a camera for 35 mm film which can be used following the workshop. Ages 13+. Sponsored by Colby College’s Center for the Arts + Humanities. FREE. To register, please call: 207.872.ARTS
Urban Sketching: FREE
Saturday, June 10 – 10:00am -12:00pm at Common Street Arts
In concert with the exhibition, Picturing Waterville, you can also “draw Waterville!” With a few perspective and “seeing” guidelines, spend the morning sketching downtown Waterville from the viewpoint of Castonguay Square with artist Helene Farrar. Explore various drawing media and feel free to stretch your artistic license! Free to the public, registration required, all levels and ages welcome. Sponsored by Colby College’s Center for the Arts + Humanities. To register, please call: 207.872.ARTS
Downtown Walking Tours with Paul Ureneck, Director of Commercial Real Estate, Colby College
Wednesday, June 14 & June 28 – 12:00-1:00pm FREE
Join Paul Ureneck on a guided tour of downtown Waterville. Paul will highlight building projects currently under construction and discuss the many steps involved in the planning process underway in Waterville’s downtown district. This tour will include historical highlights featured in the Picturing Waterville exhibition as well as a look toward Waterville’s future.
Community Panel + Discussion FREE
Saturday, June 17 – 2:00pm
Join us for a conversation with photographer Gary Green, associate professor of art at Colby College; Tanya Sheehan, William R. Kenan, Jr. associate professor and chair of art at Colby College; Earl Smith, author and local historian; and Sarah Sugden, executive director of the Waterville Public Library. Together they will explore how photography can activate shared experiences in the 21st century, especially in communities undergoing social and economic transformations. Using the gallery as a forum for community exchange, audience members will be encouraged to share their perspectives on Waterville’s changing landscape. How can we honor the past through visual storytelling and actively shape Waterville’s future through photographs and community conversations?
Common Street Arts gallery is open Wednesday through Friday from 12:00 – 5:00pm and Saturdays from 10:00am – 1:00pm. The gallery is closed Sunday through Tuesday. To learn more about the Picturing Waterville exhibition at Common Street Arts, please visit: http://commonstreetarts.org
About Waterville Creates!
Waterville Creates! promotes increased awareness of cultural opportunities and events while supporting enhanced programming and operations for its community partners and audiences. Waterville Creates! provides marketing, administrative, and development services to arts and cultural institutions in the greater Waterville area. Learn more at https://www.watervillecreates.org