The Belfast area Senior College and University of Maine Hutchinson Center were very pleased to host the 10th Festival of Art from May 10 - 13, 2012.
Hundreds of people came from all over Maine and beyond. The event began on Thursday evening with a ribbon cutting and red carpet welcome for the Opening Public Reception. Many community people were on hand to recognize the success of the event's ten years and to celebrate together. Each year the event is dedication to a special person or persons who have gone above and beyond for the festival. This year Dorothy Alling, co-chair of the event, announced this 10th Festival of Art was being dedicated to all the artists who make the festival so special and great. Without them and their talent, she said, there would be no Festival of Art.
In addition, Dorothy announced an annual scholarship to be given to a Hutchinson Center student, first preference to an art student or a student taking an art course. Dorothy presented the first donation to that scholarship to Nancy Boyington, assistant director and chair of the scholarship committee, to be awarded this year and to continue each year.
Friday included a fabulous talk by Blaikie Hines on Restoration and Conservation of Art, followed by a Drawing Workshop with Kerstin Engman. Friday evening brought a phenomenal concert performed by the Penobscot Bay Singers to a packed Auditorium. The program of American composers and music of the 1950s really rocked the crowd.
The RSU20 Student's Art Exhibit and Reception was once again hosted on Saturday morning with student artists taking the stage and receiving their certificates as well as a special bag featuring their own personal art. The culminating special feature was Carl Little that afternoon presentation of Eric Hopkins works as well as works of others.
The Festival of Art is co-sponsored by Senior College and the University of Maine Hutchinson Center and the entire festival is free and open to the public.
