Carrie Eason moved to Mount Desert Island with her husband and four children in 2016. After spending a hectic two years as a full-time wedding coordinator in Boothbay Harbor, she was thrilled to be surrounded by the nature of Acadia National Park. “I hiked every mountain, every trail to detox after a stressful few years. I took hundreds of photos that became inspiration for my paintings,” she says.
Carrie learned about ArtWaves through a friend and was hired as the Administrator in January 2018. “I grew up painting and drawing, and then taught art to my kids and their friends,” she explains. “The moment I entered ArtWaves, I thought, ‘This is it – this is art, 24/7.’ ArtWaves is a dream come true. I love being surrounded by paint, fiber, and glass, and meeting the different artists that come to our studio.”
ArtWaves was established by Liz Cutler in 2013 to raise awareness of the arts on the Island. Liz partnered with Paul Weathersby and Rob Pollien in 2017 to transition ArtWaves into a comprehensive, non-profit arts center located at 1345A State Highway 102, right next to the Town Hill Market.
“Liz’s vision for ArtWaves is that art is for everyone. Even if you’ve never picked up a paint brush before, you can come in, create something, and be a part of our community,” Carrie says.
ArtWaves’ four studios are filled year-round with students taking part in all varieties of classes, from drawing and painting, to fine art crafts like stained glass and fiber arts, to dance and movement. ArtWaves is still growing and adding new classes every day. With the recent donation of a kiln, they hope to build a ceramics studio in the near future.
Through a growing community outreach program, ArtWaves is also working with libraries, schools, and other non-profits to spread art to everyone.
As a Business Friends Society member since 2016, ArtWaves has helped ensure that MDI Hospital is able to be there during people’s times of need. “Thankfully, I have only been to the Hospital once in the last two years, but I’m glad to know it’s there if we need it,” Carrie recounts. “My son, Alex, fell during a basketball game and cut a large gash in his eyebrow. The Emergency Department fixed him right up, and they even took the time to make sure I was ok when I started feeling queasy from seeing the blood,” she laughs. “Everyone was excellent.”
After a busy summer, workshops have slowed down a bit while they are preparing for some new classes and fundraisers with other non-profits. “We will have a full calendar again soon,” Carrie explains. “We are encouraging people to come out of their homes during the cold, dark winter months and to get together around a fun, common cause.”
Learn more at artwavesmdi.org