PRESQUE ISLE – Wintergreen Arts Center (WGAC) recently received $2,000 from Katahdin Trust Co. to support reopening at its new location at 149 State St. in downtown Presque Isle.
“Katahdin Trust Co. is extremely pleased to make this $2,000 donation to help the Wintergreen Arts Center refurbish the State Street building. The arts center certainly is an asset to the community and is making a significant improvement to the building and to the efforts to revitalize our downtown area,” said Diane Green, assistant vice president and bank manager. “It’s only through the hard work and generosity of volunteers and supporters that an arts center is a reality in Presque Isle. Katahdin Trust Co. is proud to be a supporter of this project.”
In January, the 2010 art center winter activities schedule will begin with after-school arts and physical activity programming, and gradually offer a variety of art programs for all ages, with a grand opening scheduled for mid-February. Funding for this initial program was announced in September by U.S. Sens. Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins, with federal funds granted to the Presque Isle Parks and Recreation Department in the amount of $238,000 by the U. S. Department of Education, to be used over three years. Through a partnership with the Recreation and Parks Department, the arts center will focus first on after-school activities.
“As a community bank, we’re very interested in supporting projects like the arts center, that will have a positive impact on our youth,” Green said. “The after-school program will provide a wonderful, safe, and structured environment with supervised activities which enable children to learn new skills and to form lasting relationships. We look forward to great things for the Arts Center and wish them our very best.”
“We are so grateful to receive this generous donation from Katahdin Trust Co.,” said Lara Cannon, president of the WGAC. “It boosts our capital campaign and allows us to continue interior remodeling just in time to open the doors. Everyone is anxious for programming to begin again!”
In recognition of their generous donation, Cannon said the Katahdin Trust Co. logo will be embroidered on a super-sized felt board created by Melissa Crowe, local academic turned artist-crafter. The 36-inch by 48-inch fabric board displays felt village accessories that can be moved, rearranged, and enjoyed during creative play and storytelling.
The Wintergreen Arts Center was established in 2006 and offered art classes at the Aroostook Centre Mall for all ages in art, music, and performance, as well as the popular weekend children’s open studio. Its mission is to provide an atmosphere rich in the creative arts for the residents of and visitors to Aroostook County. After 12 months since closing their doors at the Mall, art programming will be offered once again, first through an after-school arts and physical activity program, and then will expand into activities and programs for all ages, including birthday parties and seasonal events such as the artful egg, gingerbread house decorating, pumpkin carving, and more.
Donations are still being accepted and Barresi Financial, Inc., in recognition of its 30th year in business, will match up to $3,000 until the end of the year. Please send your donation to the Wintergreen Arts Center, P.O. Box 1252, Presque Isle, Maine 04769, or donate online through PayPal at www.wintergreenarts.org. Reference “Barresi Financial” on your check or online when you give. On Dec. 31, Barresi Financial, Inc. will deliver a check matching your contribution.
For more information, visit www.wintergreenarts.org or contact Lara Cannon at 207-551-0936.
Contributed photo
LOCAL BANK SUPPORTS WINTERGREEN ARTS CENTER – Diane Green, assistant vice president and manager of Katahdin Trust Co. in Presque Isle, right, presents Wintergreen Arts Center officials with a $2,000 donation to help refurbish the art center at 149 State St. Scheduled to open its doors in January 2010, Green noted the positive impact on youth that the upcoming after-school program will provide and praised the work of the all-volunteer organization planning to offer a variety of supervised activities allowing children to learn new skills and form lasting relationships. WGAC representatives accepting the check are, from left: Nola Farley, director; Robbin Sawyer, vice president and director; and Lara Cannon, president. A gala grand opening for the public is planned for mid-February 2010.
