Lucinda Bliss Tracking the Border: An Interrogation of Political, Natural, and Interior Borders A New Exhibition Presented by Common Street Arts January 11 – February 25

Exhibition Focuses on Artist’s Navigation of the 611 Mile Maine-Canada Border
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 19, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Artist Talk: Thursday, February 23, 5:00pm

Waterville, Maine — Come experience the timely, politically relevant work of Lucinda Bliss as she takes you on a run with her, navigating the 611 miles that make up the Maine-Canada Border in her new exhibition “Tracking the Border,” the culminating event of a year-long project supported by a Kindling Grant from the Warhol Foundation. The resulting work takes many forms, including installation, drawing, and photography, all of which will be represented in the Common Street Arts exhibit, alongside other, related bodies of work. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, January 19th from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Common Street Arts and an Artist Talk with Lucinda Bliss will be held on Thursday, February 23rd at 5:00pm.

“For the last several years, my creative work has sprung from the intersection of my life as an artist, academic, and runner,” describes Bliss. “The work now takes many forms, but it began with a process of drawing the GPS records of my runs on print fragments. This initial work led to my current project, Tracking the Border. This project involved a year-long navigation of the 611 miles that make up the Maine-Canada border. My process included conducting interviews with a Passamaquoddy Council member, a Maine geologist, a former border patrol officer, and a forester, among others, and the stories and perspectives that emerged from these conversations led me to question assumptions about the nature of borders that had far-reaching and personal implications see this site.”

A Maine-based artist, Lucinda has shown widely in New England, Chicago, and the Southwest. Exhibition venues include the University of Arizona; the Tucson Museum of Art; Dinnerware Artspace; The Brattleboro Museum; Aucocisco Gallery; Whitney Art Works; Rose Contemporary; The University of New England; Space Gallery; The Center for Maine Contemporary Art; Bates College Museum of Art; Boston Center for the Arts; The Ross Gallery in Charlotte, North Carolina; and Gallery 312 in Chicago. Bliss recently received a Kindling Grant through the Warhol Regional Regranting Program in support of her project, Tracking the Border. In addition, she has received two Maine Arts Commission grants and residencies at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Hewnoaks, Shotpouch Creek, Anderson Ranch, and the Vermont Studio Center.

The Common Street Arts gallery is open Wednesday through Friday from 12:00pm – 5:00pm and Saturdays from 10:00am – 1:00pm. The gallery is closed Sunday through Tuesday. To learn more about the Lucinda Bliss Tracking the Border exhibition at Common Street Arts, visit: http://commonstreetarts.com

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, increasing access to creative opportunities. Learn more at https://www.watervillecreates.org

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