Home » Exhibitions » BIDDEFORD-MONTREAL OPENS JULY 28

BIDDEFORD-MONTREAL OPENS JULY 28

October 3, 20246:42 am - 6:42 am

ARTIST LAURENCE WEYAND RETURNS TO HER HOMETOWN OF BIDDEFORD, MAINE FOR HER FIRST SOLO EXHIBITION IN THE STATES

PREVIEW: JULY 28 from 4-5PM with an artist introduction and talk
OPENING: JULY 28 from 5-8PM during Biddeford+Saco ArtWalk
HISTORIC TOUR & STORYTELLING AND MINIATURES WORKSHOP: AUG 2 from 10am-3pm (tour is optional) TICKETS

Montreal, Quebec artist Laurence Weyand has been chosen to present her multimedia installation, Biddeford-Montreal, at Engine in Biddeford, Maine, located at 128 Main Street, from July 28 through August 18, 2017. An opening reception will be held on July 28th from 5-8pm to coincide with the Biddeford+Saco ArtWalk.  Biddeford-Montreal deals with issues surrounding the loss of jobs for mill workers in the area.

Growing up splitting her time between Biddeford and Montreal, Weyand attended Concordia University (Montreal), earning a BFA in Animated Film (2009) and in Fibres and Material Practices (2013).  She is currently working towards her MFA at Concordia University.

During the fall of 2016, Weyand returned to Biddeford to conduct research and interviews with mill workers from the Pepperell Mills, a former textile-manufacturing hub in New England. Due to off shoring of American manufacturing in 1970, these skilled workers were left unemployed and their personal histories speak to the small town abandonment seen widely across North America. Weyand has mirrored these stories with those of artisans, D.I.Y. specialists and used-clothing store employees in Montreal, Quebec to culminate in the multimedia installation, Biddeford-Montreal.

Through this project, Weyand gives these workers’ voice and stories a new chance to be heard. Along with the audio segments recorded from interviews, Weyand has created compelling dioramas and miniatures to accompany the listening and learning experience. Transforming the gallery into a homey and welcoming learning space. Visitors are invited to sit in the cozy up-cycled furniture while they listen to the audio segments through headphones, and interact with the corresponding tiny visuals.

Entrance is free and light refreshments will be served. Biddeford-Montreal can be experienced during the Engine’s regular opening hours: Wednesday-Friday 1-6pm and Saturday 11am-4pm.

Engine: Propelling the Creative Community is a non-profit community arts organization, which focuses on fostering and integrating the arts, design, education and creative entrepreneurialism as significant community values. Engine strives to present exhibitions and programs that reflect Biddeford’s heritage in the industrial and textile design and makers’ fields.

For further information about Larry Weyand’s work, please visit her website at http://laurence-weyand.squarespace.com.

What people are saying about Engine...

Partnering with UNE, Engine has offered professional level gallery and classroom experiences for undergraduate and local students enrolled in arts classes as well as a venue to see art by both regionally and nationally recognized artists.
Stephen Burt
University of New England
Engine is and has been a focal point of downtown Biddeford for many years for so many artists and creative spirits. It is a go-to for me: a retreat, a destination, a source for connection and ideas and community.
Laura Dunn
Artist
Engine is a wonderful place to work surrounded by wonderful people who have infused so much love and light into the downtown of Biddeford. I cannot imagine a bright future in the town without this wonderful organization.
Savanna Pettengill
Artist & Arts Teacher
Engine fuels the creativity of our city, making it the hub for youth and adults alike to feed their spirits, expand their skills, and create a better future for all of us.
Stephanie Edwards
Community Action Committee