Category Archives: Maine College of Art

The Next Level of Contemporary Design: The New PMA Brand

September 4, 2012

By Elizabeth Jones
Director of Visitor Experience and Brand Management

PMA Launches New Brand
The PMA rebranding initiative anticipates an exciting new chapter in the museum’s history with the opening of the Winslow Homer Studio. The new brand speaks to the PMA’s vision of the future, while honoring Maine’s rich cultural history. The crisp, clean, red arch and circle are contemporary and evocative of the iconic architectural presence of the Charles Shipman Payson Building, while at the same time acknowledging the historic red brick facades prevalent in 19th-century Portland. The brand’s use of color also echoes Winslow Homer’s bold use of red in many of his paintings. The letters “PMA” within the circle add new energy to “Portland Museum of Art,” but they also recall traditional block-lettered signs painted on buildings and echo iconic symbols that have become part of the nation’s visual lexicon during the past century. “The new brand takes into consideration the postmodern Henry N. Cobb designed building, the iconic public face of the Portland Museum of Art, and brings it to the next level of contemporary design,” said PMA Director Mark H. C. Bessire. “It has been inspiring to work with Maine designers who really understand the Museum and our community.”

The Local Businesses and People That Helped Us Get Here
Garrand is a full-service Maine-based communications agency. Brenda Garrand, president, brought her 25 years of creative marketing and communications experience and trademarked Golden Threads™ process to the table to develop the brand. Ken Murphy of Murphy Empire Design, a graduate of Maine College of Art, has more than a decade of design experience working with Portland businesses and developed the design for the brand. Mark Jamra of TypeCulture, an independent digital type foundry in Portland, designed the award-winning Expo family of fonts used in the new brand.

Brenda Garrand:
“The Portland Museum of Art is an exceptional institution, not only representing Maine and American art history, but acting as a key participant in contemporary issues of national and international concern. The museum serves as an inspiration and a rich resource for both our local community and the northeast.”

Ken Murphy:
“As a local designer, I consider this a perfect opportunity to show my admiration for such an important institution. I appreciate the involvement of local designers on this project, and have enjoyed greatly the collaborative efforts put forth during the process.”

Mark Jamra:
“Expo Serif contains warmth, character, and versatility in a classic typeface design. Expo Sans is distinctive and legible with multiple weights and styles. They combine easily to provide options for developing a typographic system that communicates the blend of classic, time-honored tradition and unique, contemporary qualities the museum will evoke with a new brand.”

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Posted in: Local Artists, Maine, Maine College of Art, Portland, Uncategorized, Winslow Homer Studio |

Educating Artists and Families

February 18, 2011

By Julia Einstein
Coordinator of Youth and Family Programs

February vacation week is almost here and we are getting ready to welcome families into the Museum with some very special activities. It’s all the result of our collaborative project with Maine College of Art that has brought four Maine College of Art students, Maggie Muth, Nikkie Stroumbos, Meghan Gervasio, and Hannah Godbey into the Museum to be inspired to create an education program for families with children of all ages.

I’ve told my perspective of the project and Gail Spaien has shared her thoughts and now is the chance for these talented young art students to share their learning experiences.



“In the Museum, I look at Mary Cassatt’s painting of the young woman and child. The artist’s use of restless marks and warm colors remind me of my mother’s own embrace. In my studio, I look at my body and explore my self-image and transformation. I document the changes and the many layers.” Hannah Godbey will graduate from Maine College of Art in 2011.

After your family finds the portrait of mother and child in our Impressionist Gallery, you’ll meet Hannah on the lower ground floor to pose for a family portrait.

“In the Museum, as I look at the painting, The Drop Sinister, I’m drawn in by the contrast between the dark and light shapes and seek to find the underneath stuff that tells a story. In my studio, I surround myself with receipts and to do and grocery lists that I’ve collected in order to give me a peek into the lives of people.” Margaret Muth will graduate from Maine College of Art in 2011.

Maggie will be in the Great Hall of the Museum to give out special drawing and looking kits for families to take on a trip around the Museum. When you return to the Great Hall, Maggie will help everyone make a book to take home.



“In the Museum, I look at the Portrait of Maria McLellan Edwards and wonder about her identity. In my studio, I look with a gendered eye and my body image is my medium. Societal definitions of beauty, ideal, woman, and feminine help me think about my work.” Nicole Stroumbos will graduate from Maine College of Art in 2011.

When you walk back in the Museum to the 19th century collection, Nikkie will be there to help you see yourself in the portrait paintings of boys, girls, and families and teach you to create a very fun and modern parlor game!



“In the Museum, I look at the Anselm Kiefer work for inspiration. I am mesmerized by the tactile surface and thick paint alive with trapped energy and fragility as each piece of straw falls below the painting. In my studio, I explore growth, loss, and the space in between. I’m interested in exposing the beauty in the decay of surfaces. My choices in evocative materials allow me to create an open dialogue with the viewer. “ Meghan Gervasio will graduate from Maine College of Art in 2011.

Up on the 3rd floor of the Museum, your family and Meghan will view the biggest paintings in the Museum. She will help you to discover the differences as you create a contemporary art box.

Here’s the schedule and location of art activities in the galleries:

Tuesday, February 22
McLellan House Parlor:  Identity Collage
In the Great Hall:  Collection Stories

Wednesday, February 23
Lower Ground Floor: Pastel Family Portrait
On 3rd floor Contemporary Art gallery: Texture Boxes

Thursday, February 24
McLellan House Parlor:  Identity Collage
In the Great Hall:  Collection Stories

This blog post is the third in a series on a collaborative project between art educators at Portland Museum of Art and Maine College of Art. Learn more…

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Posted in: Artists, Family Events, Maine College of Art, art |

Educating Artists II

December 28, 2010

By Gail Spaien
Maine College of Art
Associate Professor/Chair, Painting Program

Last spring I had the opportunity to work with Julia Einstein, Coordinator of Youth and Family Programs at the Portland Museum of Art, on a family project for the exhibition Objects of Wonder. She asked me if I knew of a few students who would like to create a Family Event with her at the Museum. I immediately thought of Nicole Stroumbos, Maggie Muth, Hannah Godbey, and Meg Gervasio because they all have the studio skills, the organizational skills, the people skills, and the energetic spirit to collaborate on a project like this.

My favorite part of “Educating Artists: MECA students/PMA Family Project” is that the whole Museum becomes the studio. I love to see these boundaries blurred. Kids and families are engaged in a more personal way. Instead of passive viewing, there is active looking and doing. The Museum, which is usually a hands-off kind of environment, becomes accessible in a new way.

There is an inner life to the artist’s process that museum goers usually don’t get to see. Museums present finished work. It’s when artists are making stuff that we are passionately engaged. Each time I produce work for an exhibit, as soon as it see it hung in the gallery I’m on to the next project. I experience an openness in my thought process when I’m designing a project or problem solving a painting. Seeing a piece completed uses my brain in a totally different way—much less fun.

A family activity like this encourages adults and children to experience their own imagination. Instead of aiming for a single, correct solution to a problem, it’s okay to come up with multiple answers. Everyone accesses their intuition and reasoning skills. Those who come to this event get to be creative, create, and have a glimpse into what occurs in an artist’s studio.

One more thought. I have to mention how great it is to work with Julia. I know this first hand, and the MECA students Nicole, Maggie, Hannah, and Meg say the same. She is an excellent facilitator and collaborator who is always looking for innovative ways to use our Museum. She has a loose idea, invites collaborators, and then she let’s the brainstorming begin! The projects she puts together make a difference for visitors to the Museum. She develops ways to engage members of our community in thoughtful, productive, and fun ways. This is what this project is all about. I can’t wait to make something! See you there.

Collaborate with Gail and art students during February Vacation: Family Days in the Museum, Tuesday through Thursday, February 22 through 24. Drop in between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Free with Museum admission. (All children must be accompanied by an adult.) Learn more…

This blog post is the second in a series on a collaborative project between art educators at Portland Museum of Art and Maine College of Art.

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Posted in: Artists, Family Events, Kids, Maine College of Art |