History
The ArtVan Program began in 2004 in collaboration with the City of Bath’s Community Development Office and the Bath Recreation Department. The purpose was to provide art therapy programming in low-income neighborhoods and for senior residents in Bath, Maine. Encouraged by high attendance levels, enthusiastic participants, and grateful parents, we sustained our services with several grant awards and community support.
In 2006, the ArtVan Program partnered with Volunteers of America Northern New England (VOANNE). This partnership was not a productive match, and the ArtVan Program resigned from VOANNE on September 6, 2007.
The ArtVan Program is excited to announce a new partnership with VSA Arts of Maine as its fiscal sponsor as of November 2007!
Successes:
•Six years of consistent programming to two low income neighborhoods in Bath and expanded services to Brunswick, Lewiston and Biddeford. 75% of children attend regularly, 100% interact collaboratively, without discrimination.
• AVAX, after school middle school program and the currently formed ArtVan Creative Counsel.
Publicity:
May 2009, VSA Arts of Maine, ArtVan Programs Merge, Alpha One Now
September 2008, Brunswick Family Arts Festival, Times Record
August 2008, Jamie Silvestri’s ‘ah-ha moment’, Times Record
April 2008, ArtVandalism, Times Record
March 2008, Port City Life, Art on the Move
January 2008, Forecaster, ArtVan Returns
November 2007, Channel 9, ArtVan on “Our Town Show”
August 2007, Times Record, ArtVan at Perrymen Village
August 2006, WCSH Channel 6, ArtVan at the River Valley Village in Lewiston
July 2006, Times Record, Spirit of Service Award Winner
June 2006, Portland Press Herald, Bowdoin Bestows Service Award on ArtVan Manager
August 2006, WGME Channel 13, ArtVan at the Auburn Family Development Housing Project
July 2005, Coastal Journal, Catch Her if You Can
drawing room gallery, ’07
Art Exhibits and Mural Projects:
January 2009, ArtVan exhibit at select stores in Brunswick
December 2008, ArtVan exhibit for Arts Downtown and All Around
August 2008, ArtVan exhibit at Auburn savings, Auburn and Lewiston
April 2008, ArtVan exhibit at Cafe Bon-Bon, Lewiston
March 2008, AVAX Art Exhibit at drawing room in Portland
December 2007, ArtVan Art Exhibit in Brunswick and Bath
September 2007, AVAX Exhibit at Café Crème in Bath
April 2007, AVAX Art Exhibit at drawing room in Portland
March 2007, ArtVan Mural Project at Maritime Apartments Community Office, Bath
June 2006, AVAX Art Exhibit at Bath Middle School
May 2006, ArtVan Mural Project at West Bath Recycle Center
August 2005, ArtVan Art Exhibit, Bath
April 2005, ArtVan Mural Project at new Sweetser Outpatient Facility
August 2004, ArtVan Art Exhibit, Bath
Other notes on our colorful past:
RIP to the flagship ArtVan! A wonderful local bought the old ArtVan and converted it into a truck! Unfortunately, the transmission died out when it was towing a heavy load. We’ll miss you!