Portes

PORTES: an international exhibition of Maine artists in Greece presented by the Hellenic Society of Maine and Tetra Projects.

In June 2012 an exhibition of fifty works on paper by Maine artists will travel to Portland’s Sister City of Mytilene, Greece. Accompanied by representatives from the Hellenic Society of Maine and Tetra Projects, the exhibition, reception and events surrounding the show will support the mission of cultural exchange and goodwill between the citizens of Greece and the United States, and provides an exciting opportunity for international exhibition by Maine artists. The show will be exhibited in the upper gallery of the Public Theater on the quay in downtown Mytilene during events celebrating the 100th anniversary of the liberation of the City of Mytilene and the island of Lesvos from Ottoman authority.

Portes is the Greek word for “doors” and the title reflects the cultural importance of seaports and cultural exchange in both Mytilene and Portland. The exhibition is a survey of works on paper by fifty Portland-area artists, including drawing, painting, collage, photography, printmaking and mixed media works by emerging and established artists. Portes has been recognized as an official Sister City event by the governments of Portland and Mytilene.

A preview exhibition at Space Gallery Annex will be on view from March 21st to April 7th, with an artist’s reception on Tuesday April 3rd from 4:00-7:00pm, following a display case unveiling at city hall, and a public reception on April 6th during Portland’s First Friday Art Walk. The show will open in Greece with a state reception on Friday, June 8th.

Participating Artists: Judith Allen-Efstathiou Lydia Badger Melinda Barnes Stephen Benenson Elizabeth Bieber Kyle Bryant Cole Caswell Crystal Cawley Tim Clorius Kimberly Convery Patrick Corrigan Michel Droge Nathan Eldridge Christian Farnsworth Lauren Fensterstock Rebecca FitzPatrick Aaron Flacke Jim Flahaven Clint Fulkerson Alina Gallo Mike Gorham Tonee Harbert Mary Hart Charles Hewitt Alison Hildreth Thurston Howes Hilary Irons Tyson Jacques Lis Janes Kris Johnson Rachel Katz Joe Kievitt John Knight Mike Libby Matthew Meyer Nathaniel Meyer Bennett Morris Charles Ott Lisa Pixley Alex Rheault Matthew Robbins Andy Rosen Alex Sax Slop Art (Adriane Herman & Brian Reeves) Aaron T Stephan Ling-Wen Tsai Chad Verrill Shoshannah White Henry Wolyniec Jeff Woodbury

PORTES is made possible by the combined efforts and contributions of the following organizations:

The Hellenic Society of Maine is incorporated as a non-profit cultural and educational organization that strives to present and/or support events in Maine that appeal to a wide range of people – both Greeks and philhellenes. It is affiliated with the University of Southern Maine through its Hellenic initiatives program. The Hellenic Society of Maine supports the official Sister City relationship of Portland, Maine, USA and Mytilene, Lesvos, Greece. 

Tetra Projects creates frameworks for experimental art and media projects.

SPACE Gallery presents contemporary, unconventional, and emerging arts, artists, and ideas.

Portland Arts & Cultural Alliance (PACA) is a non-profit 501 c 3 organization with a mission of “Strengthening Portland by strengthening the Arts.”  PACA is a fiscal sponsor of PORTES.