Summertime in Maine: A Haven for the Arts

Maine - Artists have flocked to Maine in the summertime for well over a century. It is easy to see why, with picturesque fishing villages, the magnificent rocky coast and breathtaking mountain vistas; Maine's scenery is truly inspiring. As a result, Maine is home to several programs across the state that help cement its reputation as a premiere destination to study the arts, and for visitors to see world-class exhibits and performances.

Visitors in search of a vibrant dance scene need look no further than the campus of Bates College in Lewiston. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2007, the Bates Dance Festival (BDF) has earned a reputation as a leading presenter and professional training program for contemporary dance. Each summer, BDF serves as a place for an international community of dancers and choreographers to study, create and perform. The five-week program brings together renowned choreographers such as Liz Lerman, Rennie Harris and Doug Varone, who will present new works this season. BDF welcomes the public to a series of fifteen performances and events, many of which feature acclaimed contemporary dance artists from around the world. Contact: 163 Wood St., Lewiston, ME 04240; (207) 786-6381; www.batesdancefestival.org; July 7 - August 12, 2007.

The town of Brunswick is known for its quaint downtown district featuring interesting shops and eclectic dining options. There are also several museums to enchant history buffs, including the JoshuaLawrenceChamberlainMuseum, dedicated to the life of the Civil War General, and the Peary-MacMillanArcticMuseum, which showcases mementos from a North Pole expedition undertaken by Robert Peary and Donald MacMillan.

The town is also home to BowdoinCollege, which hosts two long-running arts programs during the summer, the Bowdoin International Music Festival and the Maine State Music Theater.

Musicians from across the globe have been spending their summers on Bowdoin's wooded campus since 1964 to attend The Bowdoin International Music Festival. Two hundred musicians attend the school each year, where they have the opportunity to study with a faculty comprised of musicians and composers from major orchestras and conservatories around the world. The festival also presents a wide variety of musical programming through its various concert series, giving thousands of residents and summer visitors the chance to hear both student performers and well-known musicians. Contact: 6300 College Station, Brunswick, ME 04011; (207) 373-1400; www.summermusic.org; June 23 - August 4, 2007.

For many summer visitors, their trip to Maine is not complete without a visit to the Maine State Music Theater. Founded in 1959, the theater stages four musical theater productions every summer, ranging from revivals like 42nd Street to more current musicals like The Full Monty. It is the only resident stock professional musical theater in the U.S., and allows over 100 professional actors and production technicians to live, work and play in Maine for 12 weeks every summer. Contact: 22 Elm St., Brunswick, ME04011; (207) 725-8769; www.msmt.org; June 6 - August 25, 2007.

Further up the Maine coast, the idyllic Downeast town of Deer Isle is home to the renowned Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. The school offers intensive studio-based workshops for all skill levels ranging from a few days to three weeks. Some of the crafts featured include clay, glass, metals and weaving. Visitors are welcome to peek in at the works in progress during weekly tours, and there are also several auctions held featuring finished projects. The public is also welcome to attend the frequent slide lectures and lively visiting artists' presentations that are held many evenings in the school's auditorium. Contact: PO Box 518, Deer Isle, ME 04627; (207) 348-2306; www.haystack-mtn.org; June 3 - September 8, 2007.

Off campus, nearby towns and villages are brimming with shops and galleries that draw many art lovers. Visitors may also enjoy a night at nearby Stonington's restored Opera House, which frequently hosts movie screenings as well as live performances.

The Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture is a nine-week summer program offering artists a chance to focus on their artistic growth while surrounded by the beauty of Maine's countryside. The school was founded in Skowhegan in 1946 to create a welcoming environment for artists to learn together in a collaborative atmosphere. It is held in extremely high regard in the art world, and each year over one thousand artists compete for only 65 openings. As a result, some of the best emerging artists in the world study at Skowhegan, and the work they create there often can be seen and felt in the art world for decades. The well-known alumni and instructors include Alex Katz, Louise Nevelson and David Driskell. It is also one of the few remaining schools in the country that still teaches fresco painting. Some former students' frescoes can be found on the walls of the nearby South Solon Meeting House. The school sponsors a lecture series on weekday evenings that is free and open to the public. Artists are only allowed to attend one summer, making it a truly once in a lifetime opportunity. Contact: PO Box 449, Skowhegan, ME 04976; (207) 474-9345; www.skowheganart.org; June 9 - August 11, 2007.

Nestled in the foothills of western Maine, Celebration Barn Theater has been drawing performers for more than 30 years. Located in the town of South Paris, the Barn has gained a reputation for training some of this country's finest mimes, jugglers and storytellers. Workshops range from three days to two weeks and past classes have included voice, clowning and stage combat. Every Saturday night during the summer, audiences can be assured of an eclectic, vaudeville-style experience. Contact: 190 Stock Farm Rd., South Paris, ME 04281; (207) 743-8452; www.celebrationbarn.com; June 25 - September 1, 2007.