Eastport Arts Center is pleased to announce Open Sessions, a new group of programs designed to engage community members with casual, drop-in offerings for all interests. Four ‘club’-style meet-ups—a cosplay (costume play) circle; an art history and theory group; a game session; and an open gathering or artists to sketch or paint—will get the Open Sessions rolling in June, and more offerings are in the works. The new programming has been funded by a Maine Community Foundation Community Building Grant, awarded to the Center in May 2023. All of the programs are offered free of charge for attendees age 17 and under; donations ($5/session suggested) are appreciated from adult participants. The Cosplay Circle will meet every other Wednesday, beginning June 14, 3:30-5:30 pm. Cosplay (from “costume play”) is an activity and performance art in which participants create and wear costumes and props to represent a specific character or era from history. The group will be a space for anyone interested in costuming and prop-making to exchange ideas, socialize, and work on their creations. All types of cosplay projects, whether based on comics, anime, literary or historical characters, are welcome. Some materials and tools will be provided, but attendees should feel free to bring their own supplies. Summer 2023 Cosplay Circle meetings will be held June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26, August 9 and August 23. Art lovers are invited to join in for Art History and Theory: Close Looking Sessions, to be held every other Wednesday, beginning June 14, from 6:30-8:30 pm. At each session, participants will evaluate one painting as a group. Lively discussion of the artwork will include visual analysis, historical contextualization, and aesthetic impressions. Attendees are invited to suggest works for consideration for future sessions. Light refreshments will be provided. Summer 2023 Close Looking Sessions will be held June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26, August 9 and August 23. EAC’s new Game Gathering will be held every Thursday, 10 am-noon, June 15 to September 1. A fall schedule will be determined. Attendees are invited to come to the Arts Center and pick from a variety of traditional and new board and card games that will be available to choose from to play individually or with friends. Light refreshments will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own games to play: role-playing games, board games, or whatever suits the players’ fancy.
Still Life Sessions will be offered every other Thursday, beginning June 15, 2-4 pm. All are welcome to come sketch or paint a themed still life that will be set up for each session. Drawing boards and graphite pencils will be provided, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own supplies. Summer 2023 Still Life sessions will be offered on June 15, June 29, July 13, July 27, August 10, and August 24.
The Eastport Arts Center, where creativity and community meet, is at 36 Washington Street, Eastport, and at www.eastportartscenter.org, and is handicapped-accessible. EAC abides by the State of Maine CDC COVID guidelines, revisiting our policy monthly. At this time, the use of masks in our building is optional.
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