Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo Street, About to Welcome its Second Executive Director in Its Short  History.

Ian Bannon has been selected to serve as the second executive director of the Mayo Street Arts,  (MSA), 10 Mayo Street, succeeding the founder and first  executive director Blainor McGough.  The change takes effect on May 1, 2021 according to the press release.

Ian comes to MSA with a background in nonprofit arts leadership, childhood education, and as a a performing artist and puppeteer.  He has worked as Managing Director at Celebration Barn Theater in South Paris and as Director of Figures of Special Theater in Freeport.  He brings experience working with diverse groups as a PK-12 teaching artist and has performed and taught puppetry in all sixteen of Maine’s counties.  He has been involved with MSA over the years as an event performer and has made a positive contributor as a part time Program Manager since February 2021.

MSA is a vibrant neighborhood arts center in Portland’s East Bayside, presenting over 200 arts and music events each year, including puppet shows for youth and children, international music and dance, art, exhibitions and a summer arts and tutoring program neighborhood children.

Blaine McGough founded Mayo Street Arts in 2009, along with her husband Brian Arlet.  Together they built artist studios and began hosting music and art events in the renovated Scandanavian church in Portland’s East Bayside.  She has played a critical role in the artistic development and success of Mayo Street Arts for over 12 years.  She announced her departure in January of 2021.

Prior to MSA, “A Company of Girls,” occupied the former church.  When wealthy Burt’s Bees co-founder Roxanne Quimby purchased the building, the low-income, after school non-profit, was forced to relocate. That was back in 2006, when the award winning program had occupied the space for eleven years.  Under the leadership of director Odelle Bowman, the non-profit had undergone extensive renovations.

MSA purchased 10 Mayo Street from the sometimes controversial Quimby nine years ago.  Blainor said this afternoon that she has not decided what she will pursue in the future.

For more background information, please see posts herein dated May 12, 2009 and November 25, 2008.