Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Cultural Plan for Saco-Biddeford Area to be Presented to the Public
SACO-BIDDEFORD -- The Twin Cities Cultural Planning Committee is pleased to announce the completion of the Twin Cities Cultural Plan. This plan lays out a bold vision for using arts and cultural resources to promote the growth of a creative economy in the Saco-Biddeford area. A public presentation of the Twin Cities Cultural Plan will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2006.
The Twin Cities Cultural Planning Committee, comprised of more than 15 arts, cultural, educational, civic and business leaders in Saco and Biddeford, gathered a great deal of public input during the planning process. The Committee held public forum discussions, surveyed more than 60 local artists and craftspeople and more than 100 members of the general public, and staged "Milling About," a local arts and cultural showcase event that drew nearly 1,000 people to the North Dam Mill in Biddeford.
Specific recommendations made in the Cultural Plan include forming a "Creative Council" to oversee future events and programs, sponsoring public art projects, working to develop annual arts/cultural themes in the community, working with economic development interests to promote arts and culture as part of the area's appeal and developing a community cultural center. The Committee will now be taking on the name "Twin Cities Creative Council" as it implements the Cultural Plan.
The Cultural Plan has been, from its inception, a partnership between the cities of Biddeford and Saco. Mayor Mark Johnston of Saco comments: "I am delighted to see many groups coming together to showcase the cultural resources which are thriving in the Twin Cities." Biddeford Mayor Wallace Nutting adds: "The Cultural Plan provides both the foundation and the framework for the collaborative community efforts that will surely lead to fulfillment of our tremendous potential."
The plan will be presented to the public on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 9:00 AM by David Versel, Cultural Plan Project Coordinator, and Andrea Strassner, Director of the Saco Museum. A brief presentation will also be made by Alden C. Wilson, Director of the Maine Arts Commission. The event will be held in the showroom of Kilconn Creations, a custom leather products company located in the Riverdam Millyard at 24 Pearl Street in Biddeford. Following the presentation, Steven Sobol, owner of the Riverdam Millyard, will lead a brief tour of the facility.
To view a full copy of the Twin Cities Cultural Plan, please visit the project website at: www.twincitiescreative.org .
DIRECTIONS TO RIVERDAM MILLYARD, 24 PEARL STREET, BIDDEFORD:
From the South:
-Take Maine Turnpike Exit 32 (Biddeford), turn left at light onto Route 111 East
-Go about one mile, turn left onto Elm Street/Route 1 North
-Go about one mile, past traffic light at Main Street. Second street on right past Main Street is Pearl Street (just past Dunkin' Donuts on the
left)
-Go straight on Pearl Street all the way to its end at the Saco River. Building entrance will be marked.
From the North:
-Take Maine Turnpike Exit 36 (Saco/Old Orchard Beach). Exit puts you on I-195
-Take I-195 to second exit, Route 1 South towards Downtown Saco.
-Follow Route 1 through Saco, over Saco River and into Biddeford
-Pass under black railroad bridge and take first left past bridge on Lincoln Street
-Take first left onto Pearl Street. Go all the way to its end at the Saco River. Building entrance will be marked.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
David E. Versel, Project Coordinator
Twin Cities Creative Council
Tel (207) 590-8617
dversel@yahoo.com
The Twin Cities Cultural Planning Committee, comprised of more than 15 arts, cultural, educational, civic and business leaders in Saco and Biddeford, gathered a great deal of public input during the planning process. The Committee held public forum discussions, surveyed more than 60 local artists and craftspeople and more than 100 members of the general public, and staged "Milling About," a local arts and cultural showcase event that drew nearly 1,000 people to the North Dam Mill in Biddeford.
Specific recommendations made in the Cultural Plan include forming a "Creative Council" to oversee future events and programs, sponsoring public art projects, working to develop annual arts/cultural themes in the community, working with economic development interests to promote arts and culture as part of the area's appeal and developing a community cultural center. The Committee will now be taking on the name "Twin Cities Creative Council" as it implements the Cultural Plan.
The Cultural Plan has been, from its inception, a partnership between the cities of Biddeford and Saco. Mayor Mark Johnston of Saco comments: "I am delighted to see many groups coming together to showcase the cultural resources which are thriving in the Twin Cities." Biddeford Mayor Wallace Nutting adds: "The Cultural Plan provides both the foundation and the framework for the collaborative community efforts that will surely lead to fulfillment of our tremendous potential."
The plan will be presented to the public on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 9:00 AM by David Versel, Cultural Plan Project Coordinator, and Andrea Strassner, Director of the Saco Museum. A brief presentation will also be made by Alden C. Wilson, Director of the Maine Arts Commission. The event will be held in the showroom of Kilconn Creations, a custom leather products company located in the Riverdam Millyard at 24 Pearl Street in Biddeford. Following the presentation, Steven Sobol, owner of the Riverdam Millyard, will lead a brief tour of the facility.
To view a full copy of the Twin Cities Cultural Plan, please visit the project website at: www.twincitiescreative.org .
DIRECTIONS TO RIVERDAM MILLYARD, 24 PEARL STREET, BIDDEFORD:
From the South:
-Take Maine Turnpike Exit 32 (Biddeford), turn left at light onto Route 111 East
-Go about one mile, turn left onto Elm Street/Route 1 North
-Go about one mile, past traffic light at Main Street. Second street on right past Main Street is Pearl Street (just past Dunkin' Donuts on the
left)
-Go straight on Pearl Street all the way to its end at the Saco River. Building entrance will be marked.
From the North:
-Take Maine Turnpike Exit 36 (Saco/Old Orchard Beach). Exit puts you on I-195
-Take I-195 to second exit, Route 1 South towards Downtown Saco.
-Follow Route 1 through Saco, over Saco River and into Biddeford
-Pass under black railroad bridge and take first left past bridge on Lincoln Street
-Take first left onto Pearl Street. Go all the way to its end at the Saco River. Building entrance will be marked.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
David E. Versel, Project Coordinator
Twin Cities Creative Council
Tel (207) 590-8617
dversel@yahoo.com
