Norway Maine Arts Festival

Norway Maine Arts Festival Mark your Calendars for September 12th, 10am-4pm! NMAF is brought to you by Welcome to the 2025 Norway Maine Arts Festival.

Founded in 1967, the Norway Maine Arts Festival celebrates art and community in the Western Foothills of Maine. We are excited to foster a space where the greater community can come together to participate, learn, and support the Maine arts community. Art has proudly been a part of Norway’s downtown history since 1967. The Norway Maine Arts Festival celebrates art and community in the foothills o

f Western Maine and across the state. The festival showcases artisans of all kinds through art and craft vendors, live demonstrations, performances, keynote speakers, musicians, and farmers, all set within the historic buildings of downtown Norway.
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This year, the Norway Maine Arts Festival is getting a jumpstart from Lights Out! We are moving the festival to the second Saturday of September, which falls on September 13th. Vendors will be tabling from 10 AM to 4 PM with more event going into the evening. We are bringing back beloved elements of the festival, including juried fine arts and crafts vendors, outstanding performers and musicians, as well as local businesses and non-profits that have been integral to this event. Together, we will celebrate the diverse creative and technical talents of Mainers.

Rebecca Esch of the bird's nest massage (The bird's nest/massage for women) will be offering free massages during this y...
08/27/2026

Rebecca Esch of the bird's nest massage (The bird's nest/massage for women) will be offering free massages during this year's Festival!

"Much of my life's work has focused on women and girls, and supporting their positive development. Whether through activism, research, teaching, workshops, innovative programming, or therapeutic practice, women's well-being has been a primary focus. Creating a massage practice for women is a natural continuation of this vocation,

In my practice I provide woman-centered, intuitive, massage therapy & bodywork. My primary focus is to create a warm and inviting space in which you can relax and allow your body to be open to what it needs. No matter what issues or concerns you bring to my table, my first goal is to listen to your concerns and tailor a session to help you achieve that goal. Therapeutic massage is a holistic approach to health and wellness that considers the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit, and recognizes that imbalances in the body can have many causes.

I draw on a variety of techniques including deep tissue and Swedish massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and passive-resistant stretching. I am guided by principles of sensitivity, awareness, and quality of touch, and will tailor each session to your individual goals and needs.

Why the bird’s nest? Birds’ nests provide safety, security, and warmth – a place of care and nurturing during a young bird's most fragile time. In naming my massage practice the bird’s nest/massage for women, I seek to evoke that same feeling of sanctuary and warmth. A feeling you will experience the moment you walk through my door.”

Rebecca will be offering free massages with a chance to donate and learn more about her practice at the 2026 Norway Maine Arts Festival on Saturday September 12th from 10am to 4pm. Check out her booth and learn more about her massage practice!

Website: thebirdsnestmassage.com/

Our final Community Stage act this year is Hymn for Her, an unshackled folk duo that will be bringing us home at the end...
08/26/2026

Our final Community Stage act this year is Hymn for Her, an unshackled folk duo that will be bringing us home at the end of the day from 3pm to 4pm!

"Hymn For Her is a roaming folk duo whose sound feels pulled from back roads, front porches, and long stretches of open highway. Blending Americana, country folk, and a touch of old-time grit, they weave rich harmonies, acoustic textures, and foot-powered rhythms into something both intimate and alive. Their songs carry stories of travel, love, and resilience. Whether under festival lights or in a field at sunset, Hymn For Her creates a warm, magnetic atmosphere that draws people in and stays with them long after the music fades."

Catch Hymn for Her on the Community Stage at the 2026 Norway Maine Arts Festival on Saturday September 12th!

Website: hymnforher.com/
Instagram: instagram.com/hymnforher/

"Judy Schneider's current work captures the essence of specific places. They are fragments of a journey. Like dreams, th...
08/26/2026

"Judy Schneider's current work captures the essence of specific places. They are fragments of a journey. Like dreams, they are extremely vivid but still a bit indistinct. They are visibly of nature but the mark-making can be read in a series of ways. The horizon is unclear. The forms weave in and out of the picture plane. To make them engaging the familiar must become unfamiliar. Density and layering are important indicators of time and what can be hidden and revealed. How the images find their natural edge and how memories form present a nice duality. As the images shift, flatten and open up again, representation recedes and something else takes over. Overlapping encounters, like the actual perception of being in a place, visually convey another dimension of meaning. This is the essence, or quintessence, of the landscape - and a true sense of place."

"Don Best is a woodcraft artist and fifth-generation Mainer based in Norway, Maine. He received a degree in painting from Maine College of Art and is a self-taught wood sculptor. His experiences as a boy, building scrap-wood bobsleds and gathering driftwood in his canoe on Sebago Lake, were the foundation for his love of the material. As an adult, Don became familiar with the world of formal craft while attending high-end craft shows around the country for a rug weaver out of Peru, Maine. By the late 1980s, Don had settled in Bethel, Maine, and established a fine craft store called Bethel Craft Works where he consigned local artisans and created his own woven baskets and paper jewelry."

Judy and Don will be sharing a booth as well as demonstrating their work at the 2026 Norway Maine Arts Festival on Saturday September 12th from 10am to 4pm. Visit them at their booth and check out their work!

Websites:
donbestwoodart.org/
judith-schneider.squarespace.com/

"Cilla Bonnie is a bassist, singer and songwriter whose soulful grooves and distinctive voice have built a devoted follo...
08/25/2026

"Cilla Bonnie is a bassist, singer and songwriter whose soulful grooves and distinctive voice have built a devoted following over two decades of performing, touring, and recording.

Cilla works across roles: as a solo artist, she writes all her songs and arrangements, often performing in stripped-down formats (bass + vocal) or with a tight trio for full-band grooves. Her sound draws from R&B and soul influences while embracing structural rock dynamics — a blend that gives her music both intimacy and power.

In performance, Cilla is known for bringing warmth and authenticity — whether she’s performing solo in an intimate venue or laying down low-end grooves that get an entire room swaying. Her dedication to crafting honest, soulful music sets her apart.

‘There for Me’ is a full length album released by Cilla in the beginning of 2026. This music touches on elements and themes that Cilla knows all too well and hopes listeners will hear themselves in the lyrics, music and imagery. This album features bandmates Emmett Harrity on keys (Katie Matzell) and Chris Sweet on drums (Micromasse)."

Catch Cilla Bonnie on the 2026 Norway Maine Arts Festival Community Stage from 1:30pm to 2:30pm!

Website: cillabonniemusic.com/

Cotton Parker of bone trash art understands the importance of expression. Playing with the boundaries between joy and de...
08/25/2026

Cotton Parker of bone trash art understands the importance of expression. Playing with the boundaries between joy and defiance, he creates prints, patches, and clothing with which you can both frolic and mosh.

"bone trash art is a linocut printmaker and crafter from southern NH who creates patches, modified clothes, and other creations.
he wants to show that anyone can make and enjoy art and make a difference in their community."

Cotton will be selling his wonderful range of creations at the 2026 Norway Maine Arts Festival on Saturday September 12th from 10am to 4pm. Visit him at his booth and check out his work!

Website: bonetrashart.carrd.co/

Beyond the artist, Aaron Bear's influence as an organizer and friend of Western Maine sharing his vision for how music c...
08/24/2026

Beyond the artist, Aaron Bear's influence as an organizer and friend of Western Maine sharing his vision for how music can be a catalyst for community and change.

"Growing up in an Appalachian coal town in Pennsylvania, Aaron Bear developed a deep spiritual connection to nature and a resilient artistic vision shaped by his tumultuous upbringing. His decade-long nomadic journey, performing on stages across the U.S., India, Nepal, Egypt, and Jordan, enriched his artistry with diverse cultural influences. Now settled in Maine, Bear has become a pillar in the New England music scene, creating spaces where creativity and community thrive. His captivating performances and dedication to his craft reflect a powerful narrative of resilience and connection."

Aaron will be performing on the Community Stage at the 2026 Norway Maine Arts Festival on Saturday September 12th from 10am to 4pm. He'll be performing from 12pm to 1pm! Come check him out!

Website: aaronbearmusic.com/
Instagram: instagram.com/aaronbearmusic/

"James Sylvester (James Sylvester) is a visual artist who specializes in relief, monoprint, and collaborative printmakin...
08/24/2026

"James Sylvester (James Sylvester) is a visual artist who specializes in relief, monoprint, and collaborative printmaking. He received his BFA in Printmaking from Maine College of Art & Design in 2018. In his work, he focuses on using block printing techniques to create editions, one of a kind prints, and collaborative workshops which enable the public to compose unique prints of their own using themed selections of his hand carved stamps. He prints all of his work at Peregrine Press in Portland, Maine, where he recently served as Co-President. He has exhibited work and taught workshops in such notable places as Cove Street Arts, the ICA at MECA&D, and the Portland Museum of Art. At Norway Arts Fest, James will be running his ‘Print Your Own Maine Landscape’ collaborative printing workshop where participants choose from a selection of James’ hand carved stamps to print their own unique Maine landscape scene."

James will be selling his linocut and monoprints at the 2026 Norway Maine Arts Festival on Saturday September 12th from 10am to 4pm. Check his booth out to "Print Your Own Maine Landscape" and check out his print work!

Website: jamesylvester.com/
Instagram: instagram.com/jamesylvester/

08/20/2026

A big thank you to WGME CBS 13 News, Portland for supporting the Norway Maine Arts Festival with a TV ad this year! If you were watching CBS13 or Fox23 this past week you may have seen this ad spreading the word about the NMAF, happening September 12th, 10am–4pm in Downtown Norway Maine! See you soon!

Thanks Cait Bourgault for the amazing photos!!

Pre-Order your 2026 NMAF T-Shirt!Get yours before the festival crowd does. This year's tee features a design inspired by...
08/19/2026

Pre-Order your 2026 NMAF T-Shirt!

Get yours before the festival crowd does. This year's tee features a design inspired by Atalie Campbell's winning entry in our poster design contest, reworked for print and ready to wear!

Screen-printed locally by Perfect Stitch in South Paris, on 100% USA cotton. Lightweight, breathable, and built to hold up long after the last band packs up.

Presale shirts are $5 off but quantities are limited, so don't wait! Available in S, M, L, XL, and XXL. Order now and pick yours up at the festival!

Preorder at buy.stripe.com/aFaeVccC33Cz4PmfML5Rm0L

We'll see you at the Festival! ✨

"I have always had a strange way of communicating with others. When I was about 2 years old, I was diagnosed with autism...
08/18/2026

"I have always had a strange way of communicating with others. When I was about 2 years old, I was diagnosed with autism. Back then it was referred to as Asperger's syndrome, and I spent nearly a decade in therapy learning how to communicate with the people around me. It used to be that writing was my go-to method for sharing my thoughts, interpretations, and perspective. In college, I was introduced to photography. First photograms and abstract images, and then later infrared photography. To me, infrared photography was like an entirely new world that allowed me to visually express the ethereal sensation I felt whenever I saw something new. It was like an immediate connection to a feeling that I was unable to adequately describe with words before. When I travel now, I always bring my camera. I want to share with the world what I feel when I see it for the first time. It's exciting to finally be able to express what I could not before, and to feel like I can finally share those quiet moments in my life that make it worthwhile."

Working in the classic IR Chrome Lite spectrum, Patricia Leonard will also be demonstrating her infrared photography process and inviting festival-goers to step into a living still-life portrait setup surrounded by plants. Have your portrait taken in infrared and receive a free digital copy of your photograph afterward and learn about the technology and creative possibilities behind infrared photography!

Patricia will be selling her postcards, matboard prints, and framed prints at the 2026 Norway Maine Arts Festival on Saturday September 12th from 10am to 4pm. Check her booth out to learn more about the fascinating world of infrared photography and buy some of her work!

Address

10 Tannery Street
Norway, ME
04268

Telephone

+12077542141

Website

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