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ArtWalk Maine Wins Tourism Award

by MAINE BUSINESS PRESS, MAINE AHEAD, www.maineahead.com

For Immediate Release: March 1, 2011

Contact: Carolann Ouellette, Director, Maine Office of Tourism
, 207-624-7483 or carolann.ouellette@maine.gov
ArtWalk Maine Wins Tourism Award

AUGUSTA, Maine – ArtWalk Maine was recently presented with the Maine Tourism Award for Commitment to Creativity at the 2011 Maine Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Portland.

The awards, which are sponsored by the Maine Office of Tourism and the Maine Tourism Commission, are presented to those who have shown commitment to the tourism industry and the state. The individuals and businesses honored are selected in a juried process.

For towns and cities across Maine from Biddeford to Portland, Brunswick and Topsham, Gardiner, Kingfield, Bangor and Presque Isle, Friday night is art walk time. Art walks attract visitors to galleries, studios, art and book stores, restaurants, libraries, museums and other venues to view works of art, local crafts, meet the artists and simply enjoy an evening downtown. The events also feature talks, exhibit openings, free food and drink, or performances by musicians and dancers. They kick off the weekend and keep people in Maine’s downtowns.

ArtWalk Maine promotes art walks to potential visitors to Maine from the U.S. and abroad. The events are networking opportunities for local artists, and provide exhibit space not otherwise available to some. ArtWalk Maine was made possible by its supporters including the Maine Arts Commission and the Quimby Family Foundation.

Each year the Governor’s Conference on Tourism is an opportunity for Maine’s tourism industry to come together for professional development and to recognize those whose service and dedication contributes to Maine’s reputation as a desirable vacation destination.