Press Release from Susan Porter, Owner and Curator of Addison Woolley Gallery

Portland, ME. -- May 27, 2010 -- Addison Woolley Gallery is moving to a new, full-time gallery again!  The photograper, Jon Edwards, has purchased and is renovating a building on Washington Avenue in Portland, which will be called The Fox Street Studio, where he will have his studio/office and darkroom, and has invited Addison Woolley to move into the large front room which is being made over into a sweet and lovely, sunfilled gallery space.  We are so excited to have this opportunity. 

Our inaugural exhibit will open in July with photographs by featured artist, Alan Sockloff; special guest Jon Edwards; and showcasing the talents of Addison Woolley artists: Jane Banquer, Doug Bruns, Arunas Bukauskas, Karen Bushold, Dan Dow, Jeanne O’Toole Hayman, Diane Hudson, Jim Kelly, Susan Porter, Norm Proulx, Ruth Sylmor, Darrell Taylor, Andrea van Voorst van Beest, Jan Pieter van Voorst van Beest, Fran Vita-Taylor, David Wade, and Ronnie Wilson.  The gallery will retain the name Addison Woolley Gallery.

The building is on the corner of Washington and Fox, 132 Washington, so we will be part of the new artistic frontier of the East Bayside/Munjoy Hill neighborhoods.  We will remain a photography gallery primarily, with a smattering of painters, printmakers, etc. as we have been all along.  In a separate collaboration with Clay Atkinson, of the former Domaine Gallery, Addison Woolley will offer a program of photography workshops-- "weekend intensives" -- that will take place in the gallery space. 

 
I have also been gathering a small collection of historical artifacts; old glass plate negatives, carte de visite, tin types, daguerreotype and old photographs that will form the basis of the gallery's permanent collection and will underscore our emphasis on education, not only with regard to the art of photography but also the importance of knowing its history.  We hope that the new location and programs will establish Addison Woolley as a destination for people who are serious about photography both in wanting to see it and to learn about it.  And we will return to presenting special evenings of music, poetry, lectures, readings, opera...

If it weren't for the kindness of Victor Romanyshyn in sharing his studio with Addison Woolley this past year, and now the kindness of Jon Edwards, Addison Woolley would not have been able to survive after closing its Market Street location.  So not only is this a story of survival, but of a community that comes together and supports each other.  There is such joy in the realization that there are people who believe in my efforts over the last two years and want to help Addison Woolley continue.  Such affirmation truly warms my heart and makes my eyes sting with happy tears.  Of course I would like to shout the news from the rooftops!  Please take the time to peruse our ever evolving website -- the link is below.  The Associated Artists page has thumbnails and slideshows of artists' work and the Studio 203A page is a fun exploration. 

Many thanks for "listening",
Susan
Susan Porter
Addison Woolley at Studio 203A
The Bakery Building
61 Pleasant Street, #203A
Portland, ME. 04101
(207) 450-8499
www.addisonwoolley.com