MARCH 19, 2026 | ISSUE 10

Arts in the Park Artist of the Year: Felicia Grace Designs

We’re excited to announce that Felicia Grace Designs has been selected by our jurying panel as the Arts in the Park Artist of the Year—and in a special milestone, this marks Felicia’s 10th year participating in the event!

Felicia Grace is a Montville-based artist whose work explores the interconnected patterns found in nature—from trees and mycelium networks to ocean coral and the human body. With a background in sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media, she holds a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Master’s in Art Education from the Rhode Island School of Design.

Her work reflects a deep appreciation for the natural world and the idea that everything is connected—capturing organic forms that are both grounding and thought-provoking.

We’re honored to celebrate Felicia’s work and her long-standing connection to Arts in the Park, and we look forward to featuring her again this year!



🔗 Learn more: www.feliciagracedesigns.com

Join the Belfast Lions Club at the Waldo County Shrine on Sunday, March 29th, from 7:30 to 10 am for Breakfast with The Easter Bunny! There will be Bacon, Eggs, Sausage, Homefries, made-to-order omelettes, and pancakes! $10 per adult, $5 per child.

🐰Easter Bunny will arrive at 8 am for visits, pass out eggs, and pose for photos! 

Belfast Maskers will hold auditions later this month for two upcoming productions: the Maine Playwrights One Act Festival and the summer musical “Pippin.” Auditions for both productions will take place the same weekend, though each show will hold separate audition sessions.

📍Auditions for the Maine Playwrights One Act Festival will be held Saturday, March 28, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Monday, March 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. Performances will run from June 4–14.

The festival highlights original work by Maine playwrights and will feature four one-act plays directed by Maci Burgess, Gwen Sauvage, Tyler Johnstone, and Ivy Lobato: “on astral projection & troubleshooting for the stars,” by Keaton Harper of Limerick; “Dust,” by Belfast playwright Eddie Adelman; “Kitchen Knife,” by Angelina Nichols of Stockton Springs; and “Miss Le Gallienne Announces the New Season,” by Carolyn Gage of Southwest Harbor.

📍Auditions for “Pippin” will be held Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesday, March 31, from 6 to 9 p.m. Performances are scheduled for July 30 through August 9. With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O. Hirson, “Pippin” follows a young prince searching for meaning and fulfillment as he explores glory on the battlefield, the temptations of romance, and the complexities of political power. The Belfast Maskers production will be directed by Erik Perkins with music direction by David Delano.

Auditions for the One Act Festival will consist of cold readings from the scripts, and no preparation is required. Audition information for “Pippin,” including vocal preparation details, can be found at https://belfastmaskers.com/pages/auditions.

Film Screening & Discussion: HUNGRY NOW

Waldo County Bounty and Hawthorne Arts Collaborative will host a special screening of HUNGRY NOW, a Maine-made documentary exploring youth homelessness and hunger, followed by a panel discussion on food insecurity in Waldo County. The event takes place Tuesday, March 31, at 6:30 PM at the Colonial Theatre (163 High St., Belfast). Tickets are $12, available at the door or at colonialtheatre.com, with 50% of proceeds supporting Waldo County Bounty’s food access programs. The evening will feature a discussion with filmmaker Alan Kryszak and local food access leaders about how our community is addressing youth hunger.

Clothing Drive for Shop for Hope 2026

The Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to serve as a clothing donation drop-off location for Shop for Hope 2026, an annual event supporting the work of New Hope Midcoast. Donations of new or gently used quality clothing for all ages and seasons are now being accepted, along with footwear, jewelry, scarves, hats, mittens, gloves, and bags. (Please no stained or torn items, logos, suits, or used underclothing.) Shop for Hope takes place July 16–18, 2026, with proceeds helping provide critical services for individuals and families affected by domestic violence.

To learn more or view additional drop-off locations across the Midcoast, visit www.newhopemidcoast.org/shop-for-hope.

Our business community continues to identify housing as a critical workforce issue. In response, the Chamber is launching a listing section featuring rentals and available properties shared by members. By connecting employers, employees, and property owners, we hope to support a more sustainable local economy.

FMI: VIST THEIR WEBSITE HERE

Coming in May: a beautifully renovated apartment or large office space at 115 Bayside Road in Northport. The space includes three bedrooms/offices, a dining room, a spacious living area, and a bright, updated kitchen — flexible for residential or professional use.

Also available: two office spaces at 33 Front Street — one street-front and one overlooking the water.

Reach out Jennika at 207-930-5084 (cell) / 207-338-5355 (landline) OR visit www.baysidecottagerentals.com for details or to schedule a viewing.

Dorothy Havey, Executive Director

Director@belfastmaine.org

Kim Grindle, Member Relations Coordinator

ChamberOffice@belfastmaine.org

Board of Directors

President: Michelle Curtis, First National Bank

Vice President: Ryan Harnden, Mathews Brothers

Treasurer: Terri Tower, Camden National Bank

Secretary: Megan McAvoy, MaineHealth Waldo Hospital

Haley B. Hall, Esq., Camden Law

John McKeith, The Belfast Center

Mary Tripp, Bank of America

Staff Photography by Dave Waddell, Down East Magazine