New Home Of Mayo Street Arts, Originally St. Ansgar's Church

By Carol McCracken  (Post  359)

Plans for the much anticipated community arts center at 10 Mayo Street in the greater Munjoy Hill area were de tailed in a letter from the non-profit’s executive director, Ms. Blainor McGough to the city.   The letter dated December 21st outlined its plans to the city’s zoning board but did not mention that the owner of the historic 10 Mayo Street property belongs to the wealthy  Roxanne Quimby, co-founder of  Burt’s Bees and its former owner.

In the  letter,  McGough wrote that the proposed project will “house an art gallery, a performing arts space and artist studios. ”  Her letter goes on to say that the “main hall of the church will be used as a gallery and performance space, while the second floor and basement will be subleased as  6-8 artist studios.  Remaining space will be avilable for rehersal and meeting space for local performing artists and community groups.”

The purpose of “Mayo Street Arts is to create a dynamic visual and performing arts center.  It will create studio and exhibition space for artists, rehearsal and performance space for musicians and performers and a meeting space for community groups,” the letter also says.

McGough is a visual and performing artist from Portland with over fifteen years’ experience.  She has put together a team of advisors from the area that will help to administer the arts center’s programs.  The team includes Annie Wadleigh, Megan Grumbling, Brian Arlet, Kelly Nesbitt, Robyn Merrill, Bessie Moulton, Deidre Nice, and June Fitzpatrick.

The matter goes to the Zoning Board on January 7, 2010 at 6:30 pm, city hall, room 209 at which time a conditional use permit for the non-profit will be considered.

Please see previous post # 357, dated December 28, for more background on the subject.