The gallery at Running With Scissors will open a group show of new works of art during the First Friday Art Walk on June 5.

Join the artists for a reception including live music performed by the local group, under a cardboard sea from 5:00 to 10:00 pm. “Looking Inside” will present art in a variety of mediums from the fifteen artists who make up this unique art collective. Friday’s celebration will also be an open studio event, offering the public a unique opportunity to meet the artists and visit their studios.

The upcoming show also celebrates running with scissors’ one-year anniversary at its new location, 54 Cove Street, home of the Cove Street Art Center.  The show continues through July 31. For more information or directions, call 699-4242.

The relocation of running with scissors artist studio space to Cove Street has resulted both in an expansion of it’s fully-equipped studio concept and a revival of it’s vibrant and re-known gallery.  The 7 year old studio’s presence has also inspired owner, Jeff Ritter, to transform the entire building into the Cove Street Art Center, which, as well as being home to running with scissors and J.S. Ritter Supply for jewelers, will soon house a second gallery and artist studio space. Construction is virtually completed on the 3500 square feet Open Concepts Studios which includes studio space for most art disciplines, a gallery, and a metals and glass workshop/classroom space. Although appropriate for a variety of art disciplines, all of the studios will have natural gas feeds and ventilation and are approved for the use of soldering equipment making these studios ideally unique in Portland for both jewelers and glassmakers.

The City of Portland has moved one step closer to becoming the first City in the United States to create a Tax Increment Financing District for the sole purpose of promoting and investing in the arts and Creative Economy in Portland.

A recent Portland Press Herald article shares some information about the initiative.

Read the Full Article Here

“This is a new frontier on how to use TIF money,” said City Councilor David Marshall. “The intent is to use it for the public good, and I really believe that using TIFs for arts and cultural purposes gets to the heart of the public good.” (Portland Press Herald)

Creative Conversations – Spring Schedule 2009

April 13 @ 7pm – Spring Networking Event with Maine VLA
Location: Constellation Art, 511 Congress Street, Portland
Doors open at 6:30pm

May 11th @ 7pm – Marketing through Technology
Location: SALT
Doors open at 6:30pm

May 19th @ 6pm – The Creative Economy: Then and Now
Location: Maine Historical Society
Doors open at 5:30pm

June 6th @ Noon-2:30pm – Workshop for Artists
Location: Space
Doors open at 11:30pm

Creative Conversations is a way to connect creative individuals: to each other, to organizations, to information, to opportunities. Sponsored by the Portland Arts & Cultural Alliance and Maine Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts in partnership with Constellation Art, this meeting focuses on providing a networking opportunity for artists and members of the creative community. Additionally, Maine VLA’s Zeke Callanan will present an overview of the support available for legal needs of artists and creative businesses. Join us for this lively event moderated by MECA’s Jessica Tomlinson. Light refreshments will be served. Don’t forget to bring your business cards!

Get out on the town this Friday for April’s First Friday Art Walk -  with over 70 venues exhibiting this month, there is sure to be something for everyone!  Pick up a free brochure at any participating venue or download the PDF on the website, www.firstfridayartwalk.com

The Arts & Equity Initiative of the City of Portland will host “Thin Blue Lines: Police Photography Exhibit and Community Dialogue” on April 3rd.  The exhibition will be in Portland’s City Hall Chambers Gallery on the 2nd Floor, and will be on view from 4:30 to 6 pm, followed by Community Dialogue from 6 to 7 pm.  The exhibit includes the photos from the Arts & Equity Initiative Police Poetry and Photo Calendar.  Photographers include David Wade, Jeff Swanson, Kate Philbrick, Rose Morasco, Rachel Morales, and police officers Off. Chris Mitchell, Off. Gayle Petty, Det. Mary Sauschuck, Off. Karl Geib and Off. Victor Cote.  For more information see www.artsandequity.us