Waterville, Maine — Waterville Creates!, one of Maine’s leading arts and cultural organizations and a key driver in making the city a vibrant destination in central Maine, has hired local artist and educator Serena Sanborn for the role of education and outreach coordinator beginning September 1. The position, reporting to Patricia King, vice president of programs and operations of Waterville Creates!, was created to foster deeper collaborations and expand programming through Common Street Arts, Waterville Creates!’ programmatic arm.
“We know from our recent work in developing a cultural plan for the City of Waterville that Waterville residents and visitors would like to see a greater variety of accessible and relevant arts programming,” says Patricia King. “We are excited to work with Serena to strengthen and expand programming in our own spaces, including CSA’s gallery and studio spaces, and to further programmatic collaboration with other partners throughout the community.”
Serena Sanborn has been a part of the Waterville community from a very young age, having spent much of her childhood at Railroad Square Cinema, which was founded by her father, Alan Sanborn, and four others in 1978 and where she served as a Venue Manager for the Maine International Film Festival for 19 of its 20 years. She worked in art and science programming at the L.C. Bates Museum for a decade, leading the education department’s school outreach and inventive nature programming. An avid naturalist, Serena’s artistic endeavors range from printmaking to snow sculpting. Serena is keenly interested in exploring the intersection between art and science—one of her great gifts is developing creative projects around these themes for all audiences. Serena is co-chair of the Wesserunsett Arts Council in Skowhegan, working to bring cultural events to Somerset County and sits on the board of the Canaan Farmers Hall. In most everything in life, Serena looks at how to add to her community and be a part of contributing to a better and more artistic world. Serena holds an associate’s degree in early childhood development from San Francisco City College.
“This is a very exciting time to join Waterville Creates!,” says Sanborn. “I’m excited to connect with my peers in greater Waterville and collaborate to serve more audiences with a wider array of programming. There is so much positive energy and enthusiasm for the future in our community, I know collectively we can tap into this wellspring and help make the change we wish to see in our world through the arts.”
“The education and outreach coordinator position is an important addition to the Waterville Creates! team,” said Waterville Creates! President, Shannon Haines. “As we continue to take our organization to the next level, Serena has the skills and connections to grow our formative programming and connect us more closely with not just the arts community but a variety of other potential partners.”
About Waterville Creates!
Waterville Creates! is a non-profit on a mission to promote, support, and grow greater Waterville’s arts and cultural scene. Collaborating with regional arts and culture institutions and their supporters, together we are strengthening our community as a vibrant creative center and increasing access to creative opportunities. Learn more at https://www.watervillecreates.org