Maine College of Art & Design is one of the sponsors of the press conference in Augusta to speak about the need to return artist Judy Taylor's mural to the Department of Labor in Augusta. MECA&D President Don Tuski will give brief remarks. The press conference and rally will take place in the Hall of Flags in Augusta at noon on April 4.
In addition, the College is one of the sponsors of the public forum entitled “Whose Art Is It?” at the Portland Museum of Art. This will be a round-table discussion about public ownership of public art and the controversial removal of the mural from Maine’s Department of Labor. Participants will include: Mark Bessire, Director of the Portland Museum of Art; Sharon Corwin, Director and Chief Curator of the Colby College Museum of Art; Christina Bechstein, Sculpture Professor and Director of Public Engagement at Maine College of Art & Design; and Chris O’Neil, Government Relations Consultant for the Portland Community Chamber. Invitations were extended to Governor Paul LePage, who is unable to attend and to artist Judy Taylor, who has respectfully declined. A moderator for the forum will be announced next week. This free event is co-sponsored by the Portland Museum of Art, Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin college art museums, and the Maine College of Art & Design. The discussion takes place at the museum on Friday, April 8, from noon to 1:30 p.m.