AUGUST 2021.VOL. 21, NO. 08. PORTLAND, MAINE.
PORTLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER. FREE!
Portland Fine Craft Show returns with new downtown location Yikes Studio Enamels Booth # 1204
Admission is free and open to the public!
Laura Burkett Designs Booth # 601
» The
Portland Fine Craft Show The Maine Crafts Association proudly presents the returns for itsFinesixth 6th annual Portland Craft Showseason on Saturday, August 28th from 10-5pm, rain or withshine, a juried fine craft show in its new location 120 Free Street on Portland, ME. The show features over 100 Saturday, 28th fromarea 10 exhibitorsAugust from the greater New England in basketry, ceramics, fiber arts, a.m.exhibiting to 5 p.m. furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, paper, printmaking, stone and wood.
» TheSHOP West Endfine Newscraft is publish-
er of the show items to guide LIVEfeaturing with, a map of exhibitor booths. Find & CHERISH. the WEAR guide inserted inside this edition. The first 500 attendees will receive a show tote.
Maggie's Farm Booth # 803 Buckland Ceramics Booth # 806
Graphics designed by Ebenezer Akakpo, 2021 Visual Identity Artist
» Learn
more about artist Ebenezer Akakpo (left), who designed the Portland Fine Craft Show's visual identity, on Pg. 5. -Akakpo photo by Micheal Wilson
Figgy Closes Celebrated West End Takeout Natalie “Figgy” DiBenedetto, chef and owner of Figgy’s on Walker Street has closed her famous West End fried chicken takeout. Figgy won a cash prize and some celebrity on the Food Network’s “Chopped” in 2019. The episode, “Dollar Dishes,” featured affordable dishes like fried chicken, Figgy’s specialty. Indeed, she so impressed one judge, they exclaimed that Figgy’s preparation was the “fried chicken of my dreams!” Figgy announced that July 31st would be her last day, and a message on her website reads in part: “It has been a fun, stressful and interesting ride over the last 6+ years and I have no regrets. It’s just become too
By Tony Zeli
Six years ago, the Maine Crafts Association held the Portland Fine Craft Show alongside the already heavily attended WCSH Sidewalk Art Festival. Organized and promoted separately, the two shows existed side-by-side and supported each other.
Keeping Art in the West End The much-celebrated WCSH Sidewalk Art Festival ran for over fifty years. The art festival drew up to 30,000 people every August to Portland’s downtown. It was a huge show and helped bring the city’s art scene alive every summer. At one point the art festival ran all the way up to the 600 block of Congress Street, between High and State Streets. But the festival shrunk its parameters over its final years. This created a gap that the Maine Crafts Association was happy to fill. They launched the Portland Fine Craft Show right there on the 600 block of Congress Street. For two years, both art shows seemed to thrive together.Then WCSH stopped producing their art fest, leaving the Portland Fine Craft Show to run solo. Fortunately, Maine Crafts Association kept their show in the neighborhood. And though attendance did not meet the numbers of the sidewalk art fest, it did remain strong. The art lovers kept coming.
Portland Fine Craft Show used to be held on Congress Street but will move to the Free St. lot next to the former Children's Museum. –Photo by Tony Zeli (2017)
the event a new look and layout than it has had years past. The event will feel new but will still have all of the wonderful aspects that keep visitors coming back annually,” said show director Simonne Feeney. The show features over one hundred artists from Maine and the Northeast. Exhibitors offer fine crafts such as baskets, ceramics, furniture, jewelry, leather, wood, metal, paper goods, and more. Also, Maine arts organizations will have outreach booths alongside the exhibitors. “Attendees will be able to find and shop with their favorite fine craft artists from all over the greater New England area, and it is all just steps away from the previous location,” says Feeney.
“Plus, with this change, the street is now open for vehicles, which will facilitate bringing more attendees to the event and The show had five seasons on Con- more foot traffic to the local businesses of gress Street, but then the pandemic hit the surrounding area.” Chef/owner Natalie “Figgy” DiBened- forcing them to pause during 2020. Now, etto closes her takeout business. During the five years that the show restarting the event, Maine Crafts Associ–Photo by Tony Zeli (2019) ation moves the show to the large parking was held between State and High Streets, lot beside the old Children’s Museum on it closed that segment of Congress Street darn difficult to make a profit AND lead to vehicles. For 2021, the Portland Fine Free Street. a healthy home and family life... It’s a priviCraft Show avoids the issue. It’s now in a lege to have served you, and it’s a privilege “We are delighted with the show’s to be served.” new location.The 120 Free Street lot gives Cont'd on Pg. 3
Heading (Slightly) Eastward
Words In Words By Rosanne Graef
Page 4 Bicycles are healthy for you even if you don't ride
Page 7 The McAuley Residence: A vibrant community of hope
Page 10-11 Layne's Wine Gig: OMG Chardonnay
Page 14 Sudoku, Crossward, Weaving Trivia & Words in Words