RUMFORD – The new River Valley Arts Initiative Council took a first step Wednesday toward obtaining more art education offerings for the area as council members presented the case to Jennifer Christian of the Maine College of Art.
Christian, the creative community partnership coordinator for the Portland college, heard about the area’s history and its arts history from council members.
They stressed a rich past of symphony performances; the naming of the town of Byron for Lord Byron, the English poet; mid-19th century musicals; and the numerous murals painted by itinerant artists in many area buildings.
“From Day 1, cultural activities have been entrepreneurial,” said council member Linda Macgregor.
The council has been looking into establishing a studio arts space in the River Valley Technology Center and bringing more opportunities to the area.
Right now, Rosie Bradley said, art classes are a gap in the area’s educational offerings.
“We’ve been working with the university system, but there are no art classes,” said Bradley, who was named executive director of the River Valley Growth Council on Wednesday.
Whether a partnership might be developed between the arts council and the arts college won’t be known for a while, but Christian said she’ll take the information back to the college’s board.
Possibilities include establishing a continuing-education distance-learning program, and creating a partnerships involving high schools and area community groups.
If a partnership is established with the college, Christian said it would be a first for the Maine College of Art. Most outreach, she said, takes place in the Portland area.
On Thursday, Town Manager Steve Eldridge, who is an arts council member, said the council will review all information provided this week at a meeting next Wednesday.
The group may decide to visit the college as part of its research for providing greater artistic opportunities, he said.
“This is so grass-roots right now. By next spring, we might have something,” he said.
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