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Art in the Park: Free Art-Making Series Returns This Summer
WATERVILLE, Maine—Waterville Creates, Waterville Public Library, and the Colby College Museum of Art are pleased to announce the return of a beloved summertime program series, Art in the Park. Centered on the core mission of providing access to enriching arts experiences for all, this free, six-week Art in the Park series covers a diverse array of themes, activities, and artistic media, with new and unique offerings every week. Each program pairs a read-aloud book with creative, hands-on art-making.
Serena Sanborn, Manager of Outreach + Community Partnerships at Waterville Creates, expresses the intent behind Art in the Park, “It brings together people of all ages to create art, relax, and unwind in the outdoors in summer. This program offers everyone a moment to play and let go, leaving them feeling rejuvenated. Our goal is to provide this uplifting experience to everyone.”
Art in the Park takes place 3–5pm in Castonguay Square, Main Street, Waterville every Thursday June 20–August 1 (excluding July 4). In the event of rain or extreme heat, Art in the Park will be held indoors at the Paul J. Schupf Art Center. Learn more at watervillecreates.org/art-in-the-park.
Schedule of Events:
June 20, Rainbow Art: Celebrate Pride month with Waterville Creates and the talented students of Waterville Alternative High School as we come together to create vibrant rainbow art works! OUT Maine will also be joining, offering an array of flags, stickers, and pins to add an extra touch of pride to our gathering.
Read aloud book: Listen by Holly M. McGhee
June 27, Grab Bag Sculptures: Delve into the world of artistic ingenuity as you craft your own masterpiece from a delightful grab bag filled with mystery objects and recycled materials. Drawing inspiration from the innovative works of Tom Jessen showcased in the captivating At Play: Works by Tom Jessen exhibition at the Ticonic Gallery, unleash your imagination to fashion a one-of-a-kind sculpture. Special guests Matthew Cumbie and Jenny Ngidi-Brown from Waterville Moves will also attend from 3–5pm to get people dancing in the park!
Read aloud book: Crossings by Katy S. Duffield (Author), Mike Orodán (Illustrator)
July 11, Cupcake Tin Art: Join the Colby College Museum of Art for an afternoon of art-making in Castonguay Square. Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of artist Thomas Lanigan-Schmidt in the Alive and Kicking exhibition, on view at the Joan Dignam Schmaltz Gallery of Art. Tell your story using the same materials beloved by the artist: shimmering mylar, translucent cellophane, and charming cupcake tins!
Read aloud book: Wangari’s Trees of Peace by Jeanette Winter
July 18, Rope Walk with Susie Brandt: Together with fabric artist Susie Brandt, we’ll repurpose worn-out garments into vibrant rope, breathing new life into forgotten textiles. Bring those old clothes tucked away for rags or overlooked for donation, and let’s ignite our creative spirits as a community. Join us in crafting art that celebrates sustainability and community connection!
Read aloud book: We Are the Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom (Author), Michaela Goade (Illustrator)
July 25, Solar Print Kerchiefs: Dive into the captivating world of cyanotypes, where creativity meets the power of sunlight to craft unique fabric art inspired by nature. Discover the joy and accessibility of this ancient photographic process as you create your own personalized handkerchief sun print. Take home not just a piece of art, but a tangible memory of your journey through light and creativity.
Read aloud book: After the Moonrise by Richard Lo
August 1, Nature Wall Hangings: Indulge your creative spirit with our Nature Wall Hangings workshop! Join us in crafting delightful and colorful wall decor using an assortment of natural materials such as sticks, yarn, string, and embroidery hoops. Plus, we’ll be upcycling donated art supplies to add an extra touch of eco-friendliness to our creations.
Read aloud book: If You Take Away the Otter by Susannah Buhrman-Deever (Author), Matthew Trueman (Illustrator)
Art in the Park is sponsored by Kennebec Savings Bank, City of Waterville, the Morning Sentinel/ Kennebec Journal, Allen Insurance, Surette Real Estate, and Colby Center for Arts and Humanities. About Waterville Creates The mission of Waterville Creates is arts experiences for all. Offering diverse programming for all ages, Waterville Creates is building a thriving, connected, and equitable community through shared experiences in the arts. For more information about Waterville Creates, visit watervillecreates.org.