AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has started the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Visiting Artist Program application period.
Geared towards visual artists seeking inspiration in the heart of nature, the program invites applications for an immersive two-week residency amidst the remote wilderness of Maine.
The waterway has long been a source of inspiration for Indigenous people, rusticators, artisans, and the public alike. Its landscapes and setting have sparked creativity for centuries, evident in the many stories, drawings, photography and music crafted by those captivated by its allure, according to a news release from the Agriculture department.
Henry David Thoreau found inspiration during his mid-1800s journey to Pillsbury Island on Eagle Lake, chronicling his adventure in “The Maine Woods.”
Honoring this rich history, the DACF Bureau of Parks and Lands continues the Visiting Artist Program, aiming to immerse a visual artist in the AWW wilderness, encouraging that person to interpret and share an unique experience through art.
The selected visual artist will enjoy benefits such as:
• Rustic cabin lodging on the Waterway for two weeks in August;
• Orientation to the waterway by AWW rangers;
• Ranger safety check-ins, coordination of AWW transportation, open studio access, and participation in public programs;
• Opportunity to invite one guest to join, free of charge;
• Extensive media coverage through department press releases, social media posts, and the DACF; and
• Bureau of Parks and Lands newsletter, both before, during, and after the Allagash stay.
The online application period is set to close Tuesday, Feb. 6. Interested visual artists can visit maine.gov for complete details, examine previous AWW Visiting Artists’ works, and submit applications.
For further information, contact AWW Superintendent Mark Deroche at 207-557-1372 or mark.deroche@maine.gov.
Check out other upcoming area events!
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