Press Releases

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 16, 2006

Art Mingling (A Portland Phoenix Original Art Series) presents:

THE ART OF ILLUSTRATION

WHO: Portland Phoenix
WHAT: Art Mingling, The Art of Illustration
WHERE: The Asylum, 121 Center Street, Portland
WHEN: Thursday, March 30 6-9pm

On Thursday, March 30, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. join the Portland Phoenix, Casablanca Comics, Geary©s Brewing Co. and the Maine Illustrator's Collective for a unique event at the Asylum.

Twelve illustrators from around Maine will exhibit their skills in a show where each artist depicts a different political issue. Expounding topics from car culture to third world debt to media apathy, artists include Mike Gorman, Leticia Plate, Anna Boll, Joyce Raychard, Suzanna Lasker, Steve Russell, Roy Germon, Jada Fitch, Agy Wilson, Jamie Hogan, Marty Braun and Douglas Smith. The evening will be complimented by live music, drink specials and lively political discussion.

It's about local artists. It's about politics. It's about art. It's Portland Phoenix's Art Mingling: The Art of Illustration.

Launched in June of 2005, The Phoenix Art Mingling series is a monthly event created to promote local artists and local businesses. Held in non-traditional art venues in social settings, Art Mingling events create a relaxed, casual atmosphere to introduce people to the talented array of emerging artists in Portland.

"Carefully combining venue with art form, Art Mingling is not just an artist reception, but also a celebration of art, venue and community", says Phoenix Art Director Lisa Craig. "The original goal of the series was to produce 3-4 unique events a year that could create excitement and new, enthusiastic supporters of the vital Portland Art Community. The response we've gotten from venues, artists, and attendees has been so strong that we've committed to a monthly series, and our schedule is already into the first quarter of 2007."

For additional information please contact:

MEIllustrators@aol.com

or

Marc Shepard
Associate Publisher
Portland Phoenix
207-773-8900 ext. 117

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 7, 2005

On October 7th and 8th, The Maine Illustrator’s Collective will present “The Fall Folio Feast: An illustration portfolio smorgasbord” at the Whitney Art Works Gallery in the Old Port.

The Fall Folio Feast will begin with an exhibit by Collective members at the Whitney Art Works Gallery as part of Portland’s First Night celebration, Friday, October 7th. (www.whitneyartworks.com). On October 8th, participants will display their portfolios for New England Art Directors who have been invited from a variety of fields including corporate, editorial, and children’s publishing. Scott Nash will be providing the keynote speech for the event. A buffet created by Collective members with ingredients from local farmers will be provided.

Mr. Nash is currently a professor of illustration at the Maine College of Art and founder of snap! studios in Portland. He is the illustrator of Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp, The Bugliest Bug, TUFF FLUFF, The Case of Duckie's Missing Brain and over thirty other wonderful children’s books. He has brought us into child’s imagination with dynamic and whimsical characters including Flat Stanley and the Lambchop family. Over the years, Mr. Nash has created two major illustration studios including Corey, McPherson and Nash whose clients included MTV, and The Cartoon Network as well as Big Blue Dot whose clients included PBS, Mattel and Nickelodeon. Mr. Nash is has taught illustration and graphic design at the Art Institute of Boston, Northeastern University and Boston University.

“We are eager to provide Maine illustrators with an event that will bring New England Art Directors and talented artists together annually,” says Anna Boll, coordinator of the event. The Maine Illustrator’s Collective is currently seeking artist who would like to be a part of this event. Registration is $60 for the general public, $50 for Collective members and $35 for students. There are spaces for 50 artists.  Art Directors who pre-register for the event will receive a pre-assembled collection of tear sheets and postcards from participants as well as illustrated recipe cards for the dishes served at the buffet.

The Maine Illustrator’s Collective was created in January of this year by five illustrators from various fields. The meetings, on the last Wednesday of each month, help to break the isolation that often comes with being an artist. The group is a place to find advice and information. Members critique work in progress, create optional monthly assignments to share at the next meeting, and discuss promotion and other industry concerns. The Maine Illustrator’s Collective is online with links to member websites and resources for those interested in illustration.  www.maineillustratorscollective.org The Maine Illustrator’s Collective is open to new members. The annual dues is $25.

For more information please call: Anna Boll 207-729-1952 or Email MEillustrators@aol.com