May 6–27, 2016
Opening: Friday, May 6, 5–9pm
Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA
522 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
Hours: Wednesday–Sunday 11am–5pm,
Thursday 11am–7pm
Maine College of Art is pleased to announce the opening of the 2016 MFA thesis exhibition. The exhibition features work in a variety of media and surveys a range of conceptual themes and creative approaches that characterize the global cultural landscape and contemporary art practice.
The MFA thesis exhibition spotlights works by 13 artists graduating from MECA’s Master of Fine Arts program in 2016: Mirandah Akeley, Melissa Cunningham, Annika Earley, Amelia Garretson-Persans, Cole Goldstein, Mickey McGarrity, Tessa O’Brien, Veronica Perez, Michelle Rogers, Bronwyn Sale, Nisu Seder, Xin Wang and Thressa Willett.
The thesis exhibition represents a synthesis of each student’s experience in Maine College of Art’s MFA program in Studio Art.
Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art at Maine College of Art
MECA’s MFA Program in Studio Art offers an interdisciplinary approach that encourages students to think across traditional academic boundaries while challenging their art practice and intellectual curiosity. The two-year, trimester structure emphasizes the intersection of studio production, individual research, critical analysis, curatorial experimentation, and travel to inspiring and important cultural sites. Built on a rigorous curriculum and an exceptional commitment to one-on-one student mentoring by distinguished faculty, visiting artists, critics, and curators, MECA’s MFA program offers a dynamic and supportive learning environment for artists who want to define and pursue a sustainable and attainable vision for their art practice.
Starting with the first eight-week Summer Intensive in the artistically vibrant city of Portland, Maine and culminating with the final Thesis Residency, students challenge their own art-making assumptions and habits, identify and contextualize an emerging point of view, develop verbal, written and presentation skills and deepen responsibility for their own practice in their artistic community locally and globally.
New graduate studios opening in fall 2016 with 24/7 access to 200,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facilities in painting, printmaking, sculpture, metals, wood, ceramics, fashion and textiles, photography, digital media, sound and expanded practices. Full and low residency options available.
Graduate faculty
Gail Spaien, Professor of Painting and Chair of the MFA in Studio Art
Adriane Herman, Associate Professor of the MFA in Studio Art + Printmaking + Digital Media
Joshua Reiman, Assistant Professor of the MFA in Studio Art + Sculpture
Chris Stiegler, Assistant Professor of the MFA in Studio Art + Art History
Learn more about the MFA program.
Summer visiting artist lecture series 2016
The MFA visiting artist summer lecture series brings a national and international roster of visiting artists, curators, and scholars to Portland, Maine. MFA visiting artists deliver public lectures, attend critiques, and conduct studio visits with graduate candidates during their week-long visits.
Summer 2016 visiting artists
Seth Goldenberg MFA ’05: June 23
Hrag Vartanian: June 27
Huma Bhabha: July 5
Lori Nix: July 11
Keith Edmier: July 18
Ann Hirsch: July 25
Jim Shaw: August 1
Lectures are free and open to the public from 5:30–7pm in MECA’s Osher Hall. Learn more details about the MFA visiting artist lecture series here.
