LandEscapes Board

Nancy Manter,
artistic director

Lysbeth Ackerman

Nancy Bowen

Karen Davidson

Susan Lerner

Casey Mallinckrodt

Sam Shaw

Jody Silvio

Advisory Board:

Eduardo Bohorquez

Jennie Cline

Stephanie Cotsirillis

Niki Fox

Sue Gosin

Susan Dowlng Griffiths

Steve Kursch

Carl Little

Cynthia Livingston

Patricia Phillips

Carol Shutt

April 14, 2003 -- The ice lingers on island lakes, the shore is still dreary and forbidding, but in the minds of the organizers of the Mount Desert Symposium in the Arts, they will soon be shimmering, liquid canvases for floating works of art. Come summer these watery surfaces will be transformed by the imagination and creativity of artists, both visiting and local, as they contemplate the common ground between art and science as it relates to water.

The floating art is part of “Water Marks, Inside/Outside,” the theme of LandEscapes 2003’s weeklong summer celebration of art and science. Exhibitions, presentations and workshops relating to the water theme, will be held from July 26 to August 2. Those interested in participating are encouraged to begin planning now.

The outdoor water-works will be complemented by a “Water Marks-Inside” exhibition at the Blum Gallery. Workshops this year, all open to the public for a modest fee, will include a repeat of last-year’s papermaking for beginners as well as an advanced “Water Marks” papermaking class offered by a renowned papermaker. Landscape painting, film, and fiction workshops presented by well-known artists in residence will also be offered. “Banners,” a large-scale banner collaboration, will be open to children and adults, and related activities will include a riding program for children with learning disabilities.

Artists in Residence have been chosen on the basis of their previous work incorporating science and water themes into their art forms. They will site their works at various locations around the Island, including the College of the Atlantic and the MDI Biological Laboratory.

The week will also include slide presentations by these artists, as well as a special guest lecturer. Other events will feature an excursion to Ilesford to visit with artists living and working near water. The week will end with an outdoor Twilight Ceremony at one of the “Water Marks/Outside” venues. Gospel music and poetry readings will be part of the closing celebration.

The floating art constructions will be located on ponds, lakes and shore front and can be viewed from roadways or by boat. Viewing them will take on the garden tour format. Maps locating the installations will be available at stores, information centers, and other public places throughout the island and the information will be available on the symposium’s website.

Anyone can apply to create these constructions—an art background is not necessary. Individuals, schools, special interest groups, boat builders and other groups are invited to apply. All constructions must be water and float-ready and tested before they can be installed on Friday, July 25. Materials—as well as material restrictions—are detailed in the information manual. The manual and application form is available on the symposium’s web site at www.mdi-landescapes.com.

The Mount Desert Symposium in the Arts was founded in 2000. by artist, Nancy Manter, a native Mainer, who lives in New York City during the winter. The aim has been to establish an annual interdisciplinary program to bring together the arts and the sciences to explore and connect themes relating to community and global issues. Each year artists, activists and scholars are invited to the island to experience its beauty and history as well as present their work and share their skills and expertise with both the year-round and summer communities.

For more information go to the Mount Desert Island Arts Symposium web site at www.mdi-landescapes.com, or contact Nicols Fox, 207-244-5542 (renard@acadia.net) ; Nancy Manter, (NMater@aol.com ).