Studio Summer Lunches

Mary Barnes, Visual Artist & Annaliese Jakimides, Facilitator www.marybarnesart.com

The dishes are put away, folding chairs stacked, furniture back in its place: our Maine studio summer lunch series has come to an end, and we’re already back in LA. But we’re still enjoying the afterglow of these three events, where we invited local artists to talk about their work and its connection to this place.

Writer/poet Deborah Cummins and visual artists Mary Barnes and Avy Claire led us behind the scenes to talk about the arc of their work, their process, inspiration, and discoveries. Writer and artist Annaliese Jakimides acted as catalyst, asking thoughtful questions that opened and enhanced the conversation between artists and guests. Appreciative audiences of several dozen came to each event, coming in out of the heat of muggy summer days to talk about art and enjoy simple lunches where almost all the ingredients were produced or grown within five miles of our house and studio.

The purpose of these lunches was to continue our “two percent” initiative that investigates the intersection of community, art, architecture and food. On the Blue Hill peninsula where we spend a few weeks each summer, this intersection is very fertile, and at the root of what gives this community depth and character. And it reminds us that even we, a small architecture firm, have a responsibility to nurture larger goals and continue to look for ways to make architecture a positive force in our communities.

Avy Claire, Visual Artist www.avyclaire.com

Deborah Cummins, Writer and Poet www.deborahcummins.com

Incredible fresh and local recipes by our dear friend Lisa Heldke & local talent Erica Moffet