New executive director hired at SPACE Gallery

SPACE Gallery’s Board of Directors announced July 13 that a Philadephia artist, writer, arts administrator and art historian has been appointed the new executive director.

Kelsey Halliday Johnson will join SPACE on Aug. 9.

“We are thrilled that Kelsey has accepted this leadership position with SPACE,” said Board Chair Yemaya St. Clair. “Throughout the interview process, she acknowledged SPACE’s rich history, spoke to our mission, and articulated a strong artistic vision for our organization’s future.”

Johnson received her interdisciplinary MFA at the University of Pennsylvania with a certificate in Landscape Architecture and holds her bachelor’s degree in Art and Archaeology from Princeton University with a certificate in European Cultural Studies.

“Now more than ever, we need interdisciplinary hubs that keenly celebrate the nourishing and challenging role of the arts in our greater society,” said Johnson in a statement. “As the organization is celebrating its 15th anniversary, I look forward to building off of its healthy trajectory to broaden SPACE’s vital role in Portland and the opportunities it provides for artists regionally and nationally.”

Thompson’s Point winery garners high honors

Cellardoor Winery, which has tasting rooms at Thompson’s Point in Portland and Lincolnville, won 18 awards –  including three Double Gold Medals – at the 2017 San Francisco International Wine Competition. Considered to be one of the most influential wine competitions in the world and the largest international wine competition in the United States, this year’s event attracted over 4,000 entries from 31 countries.

Advertisement

Three Cellardoor wines won Double Gold Medals; 2013 Iron Gate with 99 Points, 2013 Monti al Mare with 96 points, and 2013 Petite Sirah with 95 points. Cellardoor also won top honors within two respective categories. Iron Gate was named Best Bordeaux Blend and Monti al Mare won Best Italian Varietal Blend.

Local businesses honored with Ignition Awards
More than 300 young professionals gathered at Thompson’s Point in Portland on June 29 for The Ignition Awards, a new awards ceremony hosted by PROPEL and the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, to honor five local businesses.

Award recipients include: Fork Food Lab as Hustler of the Year; Boots2Roots for Social Entrepreneurship (small business); Allagash Brewing Company for Social Entrepreneurship (large business); and Sea Bags for Growth Stimulation. Attendees voted Pinky D’s Poutine Truck as Food Truck of the Year live at the event.

New Ventures

Beauty Mark skincare boutique opened a second location on Commercial Street in downtown Portland. The company focuses on aesthetic services that include skin care, makeup, and hair removal.
“Our goal is to re-educate people about the scientific side of skin care,” said Jenn Ross-Boshes, proprietor and master aesthetician. “It’s not difficult, but it is complex, and we’re here to simplify the scientific concepts behind great skincare and what it can do for people.”

Tedford Housing honors supporters at annual meeting

Tedford Housing honored First Parish Church, the Ecumenical Council for Homeless Prevention of Damariscotta/Newcastle, Jane Scease, Marcy McGuire, and the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority at the annual meeting June 15 at The Daniel in Brunswick.

According to Craig Phillips, Tedford Housing’s executive director, to meet the growing needs in the community, Tedford Housing is moving forward with plans to build a homeless center that combines adequate shelter beds with key on site community resources. Phillips called the project a “journey to create a first class center proudly serving Midcoast families and adults while creating pathways from homelessness to home.”

Advertisement

In addition, Phillips and director of operations Giff Jamison were recognized for five years of employment with Tedford Housing. Steve Vachon, Tedford’s facilities manager, was recognized for 15 years with the agency.

Granted

The People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, has awarded $52,000 during its second grant cycle of 2017 to the following nonprofit organizations: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine, Ecology Education, Genesis Fund, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Habitat for Humanity York County, Junior Achievement of Maine, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Southern Maine Agency on Aging.

Hires, promotions, appointments

Maine Real Estate & Development Association announced its 2017-18 slate of officers, which include Bruce Jones of Creative Office Pavilion and Brian Curley of PDT Architects serving as vice presidents, and Bill Shanahan of Northern New England Housing Investment Fund as treasurer. Paul Peck of Drummond & Drummond will continue as president for the second year of his two-year term, and Shelly R. Clark continues secretary of the Board in addition to serving full-time as the organization’s vice president of operations.

Maine College of Art’s Board of Trustees has elected Brian Wilk, a MECA alumnus and vice president of Hasbro Toys, to chair the college’s board of trustees. Wilk succeeds Debbie Reed, who will continue to serve on MECA’s board while chairing the marketing committee.

Realtor and Associate Broker Marie Beaulieu is the new office manager at Fontaine Family – The Real Estate Leader in Scarborough.

Springborn Staffing of Portland has hired Brian Bakke as the new director of business development.

Advertisement

Recognition

New England Cancer Specialists in Scarborough, the region’s largest medical oncology group, was again recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as an Oncology Medical Home for using a patient-centered approach to treating patients with cancer.

Environment Maine gave Congresswoman Chellie Pingree an Environmental Champion Award for a perfect score of 100 percent on the environmental scorecard.

Giving back

The Maine Innkeepers Association’s annual Hospitality for Habitat fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity was the most successful to date, raising over $23,000 to help build or repair homes for Maine families. The program offers guests a 50 percent discount in return for a $35 donation to Habitat for Humanity.

Recognition

The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, headquartered in Bath, has won Down East magazine’s 2017 Readers’ Choice inaugural award as Best Land Trust in Maine. Held annually, winners are selected by Down East readers.

BeaulieuJohnson


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.