SPINDLEWORKS ARTISTS Emma Becker, lower left, Caroline Boylston, center top, and Micah Webbert create at the art center in Brunswick earlier this year.
In the midst of a year where Spindleworks faces a reduction in funding, the well-known Brunswick Art Center has received a grant to help continue inclusive programming.
The Maine Arts Commission Project Grant for Organizations in the amount of $2,125 will support monthly workshops led by local artists, as well as field trips to artists’ studios and other cultural sites and resources.
“Connecting the Spindleworks artists to the wider Maine artistic community is core to our programming,” said Spindleworks Program Manager Liz McGhee in a press release. “Workshops and field trips offer inspiration and ideas, and help increase the artists’ awareness that they are part of a larger network of creatives.”
According to McGhee, offering flexible opportunities is key, because the art center supports a wide range of artists and abilities.
“This funding will allow us to bring Spindleworks into the community and also bring the community to Spindleworks. We so appreciate this grant support from the Maine Art Commission, and their belief in the work we are doing,” McGhee said.
Spindleworks is facing cuts in both MaineCare funding, as well as contending with changes in how other funds are distributed to individuals with disabilities.
As reported in August, the organization stands to lose 35 percent of its state funding.
Spindleworks is a nonprofit art center in Brunswick. As a program of the Independence Association, Spindleworks provides supplies, studio and gallery space to more than 40 artists with disabilities. Artists range in age from 20-80 and work in a wide range of mediums including: painting, drawing, weaving, fiber and fabric arts, wood, sculpture, ceramics, poetry, music, new media, acting and jewelry.
The Spindleworks artists have shown locally, nationally and internationally, and work regularly on commissions throughout the year. Spindleworks gallery, studios and store are open 9 a. m. to 4 p. m. Monday through Friday, artists are on site from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on those days.
Spindleworks has a long history of partnering with area artists such as Gary Lawless, Al Miller, Anna Low, Ed McCartan, Mildred Johnson, Robin Brooks and Lari Washburn to name a few. Artists interested in leading workshops or hosting a visit to their studios should contact McGhee at emcghee@iaofmaine.org or (207) 725-8820.
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