By : Kayley Weeks / Staff Writer
Since COVID-19 has hit, in-person art events have been difficult to find. Here are five eccentric places to get your art fix right in Portland, ME.
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Portland Art Museum
Portland Art Museum on Congress Street is the oldest and largest art institution in Maine. The museum is currently open and operating at its normal hours.
Portland Art Museum displays a wide array of art exhibits including film and they frequently change their exhibits.
The museum is free to Maine System students when you show a current student ID, and $20 for non-students. Advance tickets are strongly encouraged. Face coverings are required.
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SPACE
SPACE is a nonprofit art gallery located on Congress St. The gallery is currently closed for in-gallery and live events due to COVID-19.
Despite being closed, SPACE is offering virtual programming and encouraging guests to walk by their outdoor exhibition spaces: the 534 window, 538 window, their flagpole, and their poster case.
- Maine College of Art (MECA)
MECA is located on Congress St, right next to SPACE. The Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA has a wide range of contemporary art featuring innovative perspectives and trends.
The galleries are located in MECA’s Porteous Building, and are completely free to visit. If you are interested in visiting the ICA you must register online. Due to COVID-19 there is now a timed admission process accessible online. Face coverings are required.
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Battery Steele, Peaks Island
Battery Steele is an abandoned United States Military fortification located on the oceanside of Peaks Island. It has been completely reclaimed by nature as well as art. Battery Steele sits on 16 acres on land that is open to the public, owned by the Peaks Island Land Preserve.
The main area of the fort is a pitch black underground tunnel. Local artists have taken over the walls of the inside and outside of the fort. Battery Steele is an untraditional art exhibit that holds historic and creative value to Maine.
It is completely free to visit Battery Steele, although you will have to purchase a ferry ticket to get to the island, a round trip ferry ticket to Peaks Island costs $7.70 (for adults). Face coverings are required on the Ferry. From the Peaks Island ferry terminal to Battery Steele, it is approximately a one mile walk.
Visiting Battery Steele is a great experience if you have been feeling cooped up at home, and are looking for something out of the ordinary to do.
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Greenhut Galleries
Greenhut Galleries is the oldest year round gallery in Portland, Maine. The gallery is located on Middle St.
The works of Maine’s finest contemporary artists are on display at Greenhut Galleries. The exhibits feature a wide range of media and techniques.
There is no cost to visit Greenhut Galleries. Face coverings are required.