Amelia Carignan is Boston-bound

September 4, 2003

By BOB KEYES, Staff Writer

By week's end, Amelia Carignan's brief stay in Portland will be over. Carignan, a behind-the-scenes worker at the Portland Museum of Art, is leaving Maine for a faster-paced life in Boston.

As a marketing and public relations assistant, Carignan did her job with little fanfare or public acknowledgement. But the results of her work were obvious. In part because of her efforts, as well as those of her co-workers, the museum always manages to score great publicity for its exhibitions and events.

More publicly, Carignan is known for her amateur bartending skills. She spent the summer pouring beers in Monument Square for the Alive at Five concerts on Thursday nights as a volunteer for Portland's Downtown District.

Her last day at the museum is Friday.

Q: How long have you been in Portland?

A: For three years and at the museum for just over two and a half. I came here because I am from Maine, and I was looking for a change from the town I grew up in, which is Tenants Harbor. I really do like Portland a lot.

Q: What was the most enticing exhibition you were involved in at the museum?

A: Definitely the biennial. That is my favorite thing. I have just learned so much about contemporary art in Portland and in Maine, and I have been exposed to a lot of amazing artists living and working here today.

Q: Who is your favorite Maine artist, and why?

A: Since I have been at the museum, I have become really interested in photography, and I love the local photographers around here: Tanja Hollander, Scott Peterman, Melonie Bennett, Jonathan Bailey, and I like Tonee Harbert a lot. I have become interested in photography since I have been here, and that is something I like about the biennial. It is photography mixed with painting, mixed with sculpture, mixed with furniture. It's a lot of different art forms.

Q: What does Portland need to become even more hip and cool than it already is?

A: As far as the museum goes, the more contemporary art we show, the better. There is just a lot to choose from, especially with Maine College of Art right here.

Q: If Portland is so cool, then why are you moving?

A: I am just ready for a change. I have been here three years, and I need something more fast-paced. Career-wise, there are just not a lot of opportunities (here) in PR. I'm in an entry-level position now and I need to move up.

Q: What will you miss most about living in Maine?

A: I will miss a lot of things, actually. I'm going to miss being right on the water; I live on India Street. I really like the people here, and I like the small size of the city.

Q: What will you not miss at all?

A: About Portland, I am not going to miss Congress Street. I walk to work everyday, and walking down Congress Street is not always pleasant. There are some characters on Congress Street for sure. I like hearing live music, and there are just not a lot of places for that. There are some, but not many.

Q: When you come back to see friends, what restaurant or bar will you insist on visiting?

A: Norm East's End Grill and Amigo's. Those are the only two places. Everything else, you can take or leave. But I love those two places.

Q: What else has been interesting about working at the museum?

A: I was really fortunate to be here during the grand opening of the McLellan House and Sweat Galleries. That is a great thing for Portland. It is a truly wonderful thing, and it's free from 5 to 9 p.m. every Friday, which is even cooler.

Staff Writer Bob Keyes can be contacted at 791-6457or at:

bkeyes@pressherald.com