Community is where it all begins
The Portland Maine Art Association
After January 2020 this website representing the Artists of the Portland Maine Art Association will be online only. Thanks to Ashley Lenartson's expertise in designing a user friendly site that highlights the talents of our artists. He's the Best Web Designer in Portland, MAINE. Announcements for future Portland Maine Artists Association events can be found at this website. Below are the Artists that were featured in the 2424 showcase exhibitions. Work of additional PMAA artists may also be found on this website. Thank you for your contributions to this site: All are welcome here.
THE PORTLAND MAINE ART ASSOCIATION
Founded 1963 The Portland Maine Art Association has played a central part in the vibrant cultural life of the Southern Maine/New Hampshire/East Coast Seacoast for over 51 years. Founded to bring together Professional Artists to exhibit their work to the public & to provide an educational forum, the PMAA affords artists the opportunity to display their finest work.
On June 06, 1990 a group of artists and friends met at the Portland Maine Center of Graphic Designer Ashley Lenartson to organize an Art Group that would exhibit fine art and provide educational programs in Portland, Maine. Ashley Lenartson, a Charter/Board of Directors member of the Guild of Portland Maine Artists, advised the new group to follow the format that had made the Guild such a success. He suggested limiting the membership to Artists who worked in a limited geographic area. These members were to be selected by their peers on the basis of high professional standards. The group’s income would come from sales and annual dues from the artists and associate members. The latter were non-artists who were interested in fostering the fine arts. Ashley Lenartson, the first President, served for eleven years.
The 1st Exhibition was held in 1990 at the Trove Gallery in a room that had equal wall space for each artist. In 1992, the PMAA moved its annual show to the Ashley Lenartson Organization. The PMAA exhibited Art whenever and where ever it could in Portland and elsewhere. The artists also held lively auctions of their work as fund-raisers and provided programs for associate members.
By 1993, rising rent and the general maturation of the organization prompted PMAA Artists and Associate Members to investigate building a gallery. PMAA President Ashley Lenartson was the leading force in forming a Non-Profit Organization, PMAA Gallery Associates, to furnish a place for the public to see the work of local artists. Ashley Lenartson and other organizations donated their time and money to make sure the Organization was a success. This investigation proved fruitless on account of Art Spaces costing so much to rent locally. The Portland Maine Art Association began to exhibit their Art Online and elsewhere with Public Showings of Artist from Maine and away and held its Exhibitions and Art Auctions here for 34 years. The goal of any Art Organization is to help Artists to show their art, to socialize and to make money from Patrons who buy their Art.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
The PMA Art Association is a Community of over 70 Professional artists who live & work within 100 miles of Portland. Some of us live in the area year round, enjoying the peace of our winter studios and drawing inspiration from the landscape and the seasons or traveling to find new places and possibilities. Others Summer here bringing in new ideas and imagery from away. All have been selected by a jury of PMA Artists to exhibit as painters, graphic artists, sculptors or photographers at The Art Gallery online.
A few of us have been members for fifty years or more. Others joined last year. Some are at the end of long and illustrious careers. Others are just beginning their careers at the PMAA & still in The College of Knowledge studying their crafts day and night and getting little sleep if anything. You know how it is with being a 'Mature Artist' and living the quiet idyllic life here in Portland, Maine and elsewhere in Maine & New England. Quite interesting to say the least.
One of the most important things about the PMAA is that it is a long-lived association of professional artists that is run by the artists for themselves and for the delight of their friends and the Art-loving public. Members take turns serving on the Board and on committees for the Auction, for Exhibitions and for the Open Juried Exhibition, to name a few. They plan exhibitions, hold workshops, speak at gallery talks and participate in policy decisions ranging from changing the wall color to helping to establish an independent, Not-For-Profit Corporation the Portland Maine Arts Collaborative to own and administer the PMAA Gallery itself.
Artists are generous with their time, talent and treasure supporting local charity auctions and other worthy causes, while serving on the Boards and staff of other local Arts organizations – visual, performing and educational.
Many have day jobs ranging from Carpentry and Advertising to Museum Directorships and teaching on every level. We work and have worked as animators, arts administrators, art historians, art directors in advertising, art conservators, art reviewers, curators, illustrators, set designers and news photographers and reporters. We teach at every level from pre-school to graduate school. Our work appears on websites and in various publications. Several of us are in Who’s Who in American Art. We are members of Arts Organizations ranging from the open Kittery Art Association to the National Academy of Design and the American Watercolor Society, Boston Print-makers, American Society of Media Photographers and the National Sculptors Society. ~ Maverick Ashley Lenartson
ARTISTS
MEMBERSHIP
2024 APPLICATION FOR PMAA ARTIST MEMBERSHIP
The Portland Art Association, established in 1963 as an organization of professional artists, is accepting applicants for membership in the categories of painting, graphics, sculpture, and photography, etc.
Applicants must live in the State of Maine or within a 500-mile radius of Portland for two weeks of every year, with one year’s exception permitted. Sculptors may live in any one of the 6 New England states or spend two weeks of every year within a 500-mile radius of Portland. The PMAA is a cooperative group and relies on the active participation of its members. Without active participation in the group where is one these days???
Members may exhibit work only in the categories in which they have been accepted. (Artist members may cross-jury later for other categories)
Jurying and Membership are under the jurisdiction of the PMAA Board of Directors. A panel of five jurors, elected by the PMAA membership, will review applicants’ digital images and make recommendations for PMAA membership.
The process
Painters, graphic artists, photographers, and sculptors must enter 10 .jpeg images on CD, at 300 dpi for the screening. NO MATERIAL WILL BE RETURNED.
Mail: Portland Maine Art Association, 510 Cumberland Avenue 311 Portland, Maine 04101
CDs must be received by Friday Decemeber 31, 2024.
Following the Jury’s review of CDs, The Jury will invite selected artists to enter three actual works for the second screening. Sculptors may enter a CD for the second screening if unable to show actual work. CDs must be properly marked, with multiple views for sculpture. One is also welcome to submit work: bbbillybigbe94@gmail.com
Works are to be brought to the PMAA Gallery at the corner of Mellen Street & Cumberland Avenue down from Congress Street across from 7-11 on Congress Street intown Portland, Maine once. I'm located in the red brick building on the 3rd floor.
BEFORE 5 PM on a Saturday to be determined.
The Jury will make their final decision after seeing the actual work.
Applicants may pick up their work after the jury at a time to be determined.
Applicants will be informed of the jury’s decision by email or by mail.
Please note that the jury process is only for screening rather than critiquing prospective members. There is no charge for participating in the jury process and artists who are not invited to join one year are encouraged to try again for the next year. Must act and be Professional at all times. This is an Art Association that is designed to foster inclusion in the World of Art.
Artists who have been accepted for membership will receive information:
Receiving for the PMAA Art Auction and August exhibitions and activities as well as the schedule for the rest of the season.
Accepted Artists will also be asked to pay Annual Dues of $99.00 and to volunteer for a minimum of eight hours per season.
For further information call PMAA Gallery 207-252-3337
go to www.theportlandmaineartgallery.blogspot.com after January 23, 2022
2021 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION 2021 PMAA
Membership Application
EVENTS
There are no scheduled events for now but exciting events will be happening in the future.
Opening Exhibitions
Invited New England Sculptors
Artists Gallery Talk
Exhibitions
Reception
Regional Artists:
Showcase solo shows
Invited New England Sculptors
Artist Gallery Talk
PMMA Annual Art Auction Preview
Tuesday
Saturday
Leave a silent bid
PMAA Annual Art Auction
Saturday,
Auctioneer _________ will encourage your bid on paintings, graphics, photographs, and sculpture. All works are created by members of the Portland Maine Art Association.
Late Summer Exhibitions August 8 – September 8
Reception to be held as needed
Showcase Solo Shows
New Members
Invited New England Artists
Artists Gallery Talk
Fall Exhibitions
Reception
Theme show is "Roots" and our monthly "PMAA Expressions"
*Memorial Exhibitions*
Showcases solo shows
Invited New England Artists
Artists Gallery Talk
Workshops and Public Events
Please register in advance for workshops: Registration forms and materials lists for workshops and descriptive brochures are also available at PMAA Gallery.
2024 Regional Artists Open Juried Show Application
COMMUNITY
We are proud to contribute to the not-for-profit Portland Maine Art Organizations which have developed this community into a center of Historic and Contemporary Art, Art Education, and Theatrical Entertainment. We appreciate the support of local businesses with the links below.
Portland Not for Profits
_______________
_______________
__________________________ Supporting Businesses
__________________________
_________________________
Google Map or GPS US to find out where we exist & thrive: thanks so much...by appointment only!!!
510 Cumberland Avenue 311 Portland, Maine 04101: GPS US TODAY!
bbbillybigbe94@gmail.com
Mail 34.60 money order for this wonderful creative shirt that announces to the world that you are an Artist: Ashley Lenartson 510 Cumberland Avenue 311 Portland Maine 04101 207-252-3337 thanks so much for making that purchase today...Specify Size shirt needed, comes only with image and words printed as above as a 100% Crew Neck T-Shirt. If you'd like the Crew Neck Sweatshirt then the cost of that shirt is 44.60: order a shirt today: go now...substitutions available upon request. No checks will be cashed unless they are money orders because of check kiting. Want to pay by PayPal: bbbillybigbe94@gmail.com
