Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 33 O C T O B E R 1 7 , 2 0 1 6 M I D C O A S T / D OW N E A S T R E G I O N F O C U S The Rockland vibe ousands of seasonal visitors and summer residents have discovered a growing slate of cultural happenings in recent years, with the transforma- tion of a forlorn waterfront with an infl ux of businesses such as MBNA, succeeded by Boston Financial Data Services. at's complemented by the growth of arts businesses. Anchored by the Farnsworth Art Museum, the scene today includes about two dozen galleries, trendy shops, restaurants, hotels, cultural festivals and mov- ies and performances at the historic Strand eatre. Rockland is a cultural hub, says Farnsworth Executive Director Christopher Brownawell. Rockland's attraction for arts and culture off erings, says Brownawell, is the confl uence of factors including available real estate prime for studios, galleries, the Farnsworth and CMCA's new construction; the coastline's beauty; and an edgy dynamic created by and now attracting new businesses, which in turn collaborate on events. ere are other venues that off er modern and contemporary exhibitions — includ- ing the Farnsworth's current "Pushing Boundaries," which features artists Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, Nancy Graves and Jim Dine. CMCA is a great addition, says Brownawell. "It's great to have CMCA here as a companion to off er additional venues for contemporary artists," says Brownawell. CMCA's new site — on Winter Street, off Main Street — was formerly home to an existing 1920s building. Once a garage, pool hall and print shop, the building housed four art galleries when it came to CMCA's attention. "When this property became avail- able, we realized we needed to make the jump," says McAvoy. e original idea was to renovate and expand the existing building. "But we found it was full of asbestos and were advised it would be less expen- sive to tear it down and start new," she says. "Ultimately, that was a gift, because it allowed us to create a courtyard and build a purpose-built building." For the design, CMCA hired New York City-based architect Toshiko Mori, whose work includes a museum and gallery spaces. She also has a place on North Haven. "I met her in the mid-1990s, when I was curator at the Farnsworth," says McAvoy. "She was hired to do the Farnsworth's fi rst expansion. I admired Ellsworth Business Center: • Experienced Commercial Lenders • Hand-crafted financing packages to perfectly suit YOUR business needs. with BANK FRANK Call us and find out how easy it is to Amanda Look, Derek Hayes and Nicole Lovely The Ellsworth Team New! Ellsworth Business Center 130 Oak Street, Suite 9, Ellsworth, 207-610-5068 or 1-844-317-0942 Farmington 778-3339 Skowhegan 474-5574 Jay 897-3982 River Valley 364-7866 Rangeley 864-3386 Wilton 645-2583 www.FranklinSavings.Bank perfectly suit YOUR business needs. New! Ellsworth Business Center 130 Oak Street, Suite 9, Ellsworth, 207-610-5068 or 1-844-317-0942 Consulting Engineers and Scientists Contact Nick Sabatine at the idea-stage: Contact Nick Sabatine at the idea-stage: nsabatine@ransomenv.com \\ 207-772-2891 \\ www.RansomEnv.com D E V E L O P M E N T \ \ D U E D I L I G E N C E D U E D I L I G E N C E \ \ E N V I R O N M E N TA L H E A LT H & S A F E T Y E N V I R O N M E N TA L H E A LT H & S A F E T Y E N V I R O N M E N TA L H E A LT H & S A F E T Y \ \ M U N I C I P A L \ \ U T I L I T Y, E N E R G Y & M A N U F A C T U R I N G U T I L I T Y, E N E R G Y & M A N U F A C T U R I N G Revitalizing and Protecting Our Coastline F R O M C O A S T A L E N G I N E E R I N G T O R E D E V E L O P M E N T WI S CASS ET I S LE S B O R O STO N I N GTO N C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E »

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