Portland, MAINE — The Oak Street Lofts gallery will feature artwork made by children living at several Avesta Housing communities Friday, July 5, from 5-8 p.m. for First Friday Art Walk.
Children’s art will be on display Friday at Oak Street Lofts
The theme of the Children’s Community Art Project is, “What do you enjoy about living in your community?” The show includes collages, paintings and drawings made by children at several Avesta properties, including Pearl Place I and II in Portland and North Street in Westbrook. The children’s art depicts familiar places in Portland like Deering Oaks Park, Reiche Community School and the Bayside neighborhood, as well as their families and other scenes.
The show was curated by Kemper Tell, Academic Engagement Specialist at Avesta in partnership with AmeriCorps. Michelle Michaud, an artist and resident at Oak Street Lofts, volunteered her time to help the children with their artwork.
The children’s art is juxtaposed with a show entitled “Late Works,” which features paintings and other works made by the residents of the Marshwood Center, a skilled nursing facility in Lewiston. Michelle Michaud also curated that show, which opened in June.
Completed in January 2012 and located in the heart of the city’s arts district, Oak Street Lofts is a unique property that caters to artists looking to work and live affordably in Portland. Besides the gallery, Oak Street Lofts features a shared work space for residents, and the property’s 37 efficiency apartments include ample storage for art supplies and equipment. The gallery, located at 72 Oak St., is open to the public every First Friday Art Walk.
Oak Street Lofts is also the first affordable multi-family building in Maine to achieve LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. For more on Oak Street Lofts and its energy-efficient features, visit our website at http://www.avestahousing.org/properties/60/Oak-Street-Lofts.
About Avesta Housing
For more than 40 years, Avesta Housing has provided and advocated for affordable housing. An award-winning agency, Avesta has grown to become the largest nonprofit developer in northern New England and one of the country’s most innovative leaders in affordable housing. Avesta manages a portfolio of more than 1,900 apartments in 31 Maine communities including Portland, Windham, Saco, Rockland and Kennebunk. Visit us at www.avestahousing.org.