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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 15 A U G U S T 1 0 , 2 0 2 0 W hen Marcia Minter moved to Maine from Chicago with her family in 2003 to become vice president and creative director at L.L.Bean, it took a while for the Black family to adjust after living in big cities with diverse populations. It helped that she kept busy, lead- ing a department of more than 40 people and travelling frequently for photo shoots and ad campaigns as well as raising a son. "Between work and being a mother, and also becoming and being involved in several boards focused on the com- munity and the arts very early on, we found a way to make Maine, particularly Portland, home," she says. Today, she aims to give artists of color a spiritual home of sorts through Indigo Arts Alliance, a nonprofit community arts space she founded last year with her husband, artist Daniel Minter. "We're not a gallery, we are not producing theater and performances, we are about ideas and concepts at the incubation stage," she emphasizes. Indigo aims to amplify the creative practices, voices and vision of Black and Brown artists through a residency program Minter calls the "heart and soul of why Indigo exists." It pairs Maine- based artists of African descent with international artists of color. Indigo Arts Alliance also holds community events including this summer's virtual Beautiful Blackbird Children's Book Festival in honor of writer and children's book illus- trator Ashley Bryan, who lives on Little Cranberry Island. Artists who have gone through Indigo's residency program include Sean Alonzo Harris, a Waterville- based editorial, commercial and fine art photographer who was paired up with spoken-word poet, teacher and mental health advocate Nyamuon Nguany Machar, a member of Maine's South Sudanese community who goes by the name Moon. ough the residency ended early because of the pandemic, Harris says the experience opened his eyes to art as a visual language, and that having the space at Indigo to create and step out of the everyday was "tremendously powerful." Harris has known the Minters for years and says he's inspired by Marcia's clear vision with patience and empathy, kind nature and tenacity, which he says is unusual for someone who's spent her career as a creative professional. "Creatives will try to dominate the space with their knowledge," he says, "so it's nice to have someone who actually listens and takes into account your vision and tries to bring the two together. at's her secret sauce." A strong voice for artists of color B y R e n e e C o R d e s C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Indigo Arts Alliance 60 Cove St., Portland Founded: 2019 Description: Nonprofit arts incubator that supports the creation and dissemination of the work of Black and Brown artists of African descent through its Artists in Residence program and community events including artist talks, symposiums and workshops. Contact: indigoartsalliance.me Visit Patrons.com to find an independent Maine agent near you. Business Property and Liability Insurance Products Cyber and Data Breach Liability Insurance Employment Prac ces Liability Insurance, EPLI & Equipment and Mechanical Breakdown I N S U R I N G M A I N E B U S I N E S S — I N S U R I N G M A I N E P E O P L E Innova ve solu ons for today's business challenges. We've been in business more than 140 years, and con nue to innovate by providing you a por olio that offers the kind of protec on your business needs — today. Confused about payroll and HR during these uncertain times? We're not. We're not. Call now, gain a partner for the long haul. Time & Attendance Solutions Payroll Processing Worker's Comp Pay-As-You-Go PAYROLLMGT.COM 800-734-6880 Real People. Really Great Service. We're not a gallery, we are not producing theater and performances, we are about ideas and concepts at the incubation stage. — Marcia Minter

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