Visitor's Guide 2023-2024

EXPLORING CREATIVITY So when you visit—any time of year—be sure to immerse yourself in artistry. Check out Creative Portland, a thorough resource for resident artists, visitors, and local events, and you’ll be rocked by the magnitude of offerings. ❱❱ Perhaps you’ll notice the murals across Portland, birthed from the Portland Mural Initiative. This artist-led movement brings art to public spaces and hosts neighborhood meals and artist talks with the intention of connecting artists to the local community. ❱❱ Join the festive atmosphere of First Friday Art Walks when Portland’s open galleries beckon to passersby and Congress Street brims with artisans and outdoor performers. ❱❱ Browse hand-crafted and Maine-inspired jewelry at Chart Metalworks, or visit the Alan Claude Gallery to pick up some colorful, dramatic graphic prints. Check out the latest exhibit at Elizabeth Moss Galleries and the artisan retail gallery at Maine Craft Portland. ❱❱ There’s no shortage of performance art here, either. If you’re into music, the Art Deco-style State Theatre and riverside venue at Thompson’s Point bring national headliners to town. Nearby Ogunquit Playhouse and Maine State Music Theatre in Brunswick have been producing renowned musical theater for 90 and 64 years respectively! And if opera, ballet, or the symphony interests you, you’re in the right place. Once you’ve taken in enough inspiration and are bursting with your own imaginative ideas, visit Portland Museum of Art to get creative with their interactive workshops or schedule a paint night at Muse Paintbar. DECIDE FOR YOURSELF This flourishing seaside artist community is molding Portland’s identity, as it branches out from a seaside summer destination, into a year round art-infused cultural experience. When we reflect on why this small city is so advanced in the arts, we call out the light. We point to the rugged landscape hugged by glinting water, mention the collegiate influence, and point out the cultural diversity within Greater Portland. Maybe it’s all of these things. But when you come to visit Portland, infuse your trip with a touch of magical artistry, rekindle your own creative energy, and decide for yourself.

PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: CHART METALWORKS; DAVE WADE; JAKE BELVIN PHOTOGRAPHY; SERENA FOLDING

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