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TEMPOart announced late last year that it has selected three Maine-based artists for its 2026 season of temporary public art installations.  Last year marked a major milestone for the organization’s 10th anniversary – along with this milestone comes a new, expanded approach to commissioning public art in Portland.

The 2026 cohort incudes Aquarius Funkk, veronica a perz and Arisa White.  Each artist will create an interactive public art activation in Portland during the 2026 calendar year.  In previous years, TEMPOart commissisoned a single visual artist annually.  The three artists selected for 2026 work with a variety of mediums including performance, poetry and visual art.  Expanding beyond object-based work, the 2026 activations invite the artists to imagine temporary moments that create connection, spark curiosity, and, as stated in the original call for artists:  “to celebrate, play and find joy in our shared spaces.”

The artists were selected by a community panel through an open call.  Panelists included artist Aaron Stephan, artist and Indigo Arts Alliance Studio and Programs manager Ashley Page, curator and SPACE Gallery Development & Special Projects manager Meg Hahn, Friends of Congress Square Park executive director C.J. Opperthauser and Mayo Street Arts executive director Ian Bannon.

The artists are in design development; more information about the proposed art activations will be available early this year.

TEMPOart commissions temporary public art that sparks dialogue, builds community and inspires collective imagination.  For the last decade, TEMPOart has activated Portland’s public space with projects that invite people into shared experiences and discover new ways to connect with their city and each other.