Friends & Family Weekend
is coming up November 4-5, 2022
From bonfire gatherings to sample classes with star professors, Friends & Family Weekend is a chance to visit your student on campus and experience a slice of your life at Maine College of Art & Design. We hope you'll join us Friday, November 4 through Saturday, November 5 for an exciting weekend of art, design, discovery, and celebration.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
1st Friday Art Walk
Downtown Portland and Porteous Building
Portland’s First Friday Art Walk is a free, self-guided tour of art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues that takes place on the first Friday of every month from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Stop by Maine College of Art & Design's Porteous Building to see student work on view as part of the 2022 BFA Exhibition and check out the current show at the Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA&D: Sympathy for the translator. MECA&D branded gear will also be available for sale in the ICA on Friday evening.
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Bonfire
Green Space: Corner of Shepley St & Casco St.
Stop by the Green Space for a BYOC/B (bring your own chairs or blankets!) Bonfire. Make some S’mores, listen to local music, and pick up your Friends & Family Weekend Adventure Guide.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH
9:00 AM - Noon
Information Table, Check In, & Pop Up Shop
Porteous Building: Lobby
Have questions? Want recommendations about things to do in the area? Need to deck yourself out in MECA&D branded gear? Get a family picture to start your day. Come join the Student Life team located inside the Porteous Building at 522 Congress Street.
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
President's Welcome and Breakfast Treats
Porteous Building: ICA
Enjoy complimentary warm cider or coffee accompanied by sweet treats as you are greeted by MECA&D President Laura Freid. Meet other friends and family members of our community too!
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Workshops
Comics Poetry: Make a Haiku Comic
Sarah Shaw, Assistant Professor of Illustration
Porteous Building: Room 508
In this workshop, participants will write a Haiku poem, draw accompanying imagery, and learn how to combine it all into a one-page mini-comic.
Bringing Animation to Life with Sound
Steve Drown, Assistant Professor of Music
Porteous Building: Recording Studio, lower level
We will start with a short student animation project with no sound and add the appropriate elements to make it a complete production. This will include dialogue, sound effects and music. We'll create some of it during the workshop. This is limited to 12 individuals,
Having a Gourd Time
Kayla Spaeth MFA '24
380 Cumberland: Room D-1
In this workshop, students will practice drawing people using their family members as muses. Please note that this workshop is being held in MECA&D's academic facility located at 380 Cumberland Ave.
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Take Your Student To Lunch
Downtown Portland/Old Port
Explore one of the many culinary delights Portland has to offer. The city has countless (and often award-winning!) restaurants, diners, and cafes. Find a full list of options here: https://www.visitportland.com/visit/eat-drink/restaurants/.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tours Offered
Self-guided tour of the Portland Museum of Art
Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Street, Portland
Take in Maine's oldest and largest public art institution at your own pace! Students can use their MECA&D ID cards to enter for free. See the info desk in Porteous Lobby for free Friends & Family weekend passes if interested!
Tour of MECA&D: History, Programs, and Its Future
Porteous Building: Lobby
Dive into MECA&Ds past, present, and future with Ian Anderson, Vice President of Academic Affairs & Dean of the College as you tour the Porteous Building.
2:00 PM - Onward
Adventure Around the Area
Some suggested options include:
- Portland Events & Performances
- Restocking your student’s snack supplies with a trip to any of our local grocery stores:
- Grab additional art supplies:
- Continue to explore the foodie scene of Portland
- Spend time outside in the fresh autumn air
- Walk along the Eastern Prom
- Check out the shops in the historic Old Port
- Walk along one of Portland’s many nearby beaches
- Visit Mackworth Island
- Wander around the shops of downtown Freeport
- Visit the Flagship LL Bean store
Check out even more student-recommended hot spots at the end of our F&FW Adventure Guide!
A risograph Friends & Family Weekend Guide designed and printed by a student will be available when you arrive.
Students can RSVP on behalf of their loved ones. Please RSVP by November 3rd at 12:00 PM.