MCA COVID-19 Updates & Information

The Maine Crafts Association will use this page to update our community on our COVID-19 based actions and decisions as they occur.

For more information please contact MCA Executive Director Sadie Bliss at (207)205-0791 or sadie@mainecrafts.org

Thank you to everyone in our craft communities, and beyond, for doing your part to stay healthy & stop the spread of Covid-19. We look ahead with hope and trust that we will be back to normal soon!

7/6/2020 UPDATE Center for Maine Craft + Maine Craft Portland now open!

3/17/2020 Beginning March 17 our retail galleries + resource centers, the Center for Maine Craft and Maine Craft Portland, were be closed. We will reopen as advised by our local and health officials.

Click here for updates to our 2020 exhibition calendar.

Reduced: Maine Crafts Association operations and staffing

Beginning March 17 our operations are reduced to a minimum, the majority of our staff has been temporarily laid off. Sadie Bliss, Director and Emily Shaffer, Part time Program Coordinator and HR Manager will continue to work to support other MCA staff and continue to support reduced operations, communications and efforts.  Our strategy is to stay well, support all community efforts to combat Covid-19 and fully  re-open with all staff positions in tact as soon as advisable all without insurmountable debt or financial damage.

Cancelled: MCA Weekend Workshop @ Haystack Mountain School of Craft

March 16, 2020: As directed by Haystack upon learning of the recommendation from the CDC to cancel events of this size taking place within the next eight weeks. Our annual MCA Weekend Workshop @ Haystack was scheduled for May 7-10, 2020 and is therefore cancelled.

Please note: We have invited the 2020 instructors to consider committing to teach the same workshop in 2021, but we will need more time to confirm this. This will be on a workshop by workshop basis – i.e. it’s possible that not all instructors will be able to teach in 2021. Stay tuned!

Postponed: Seconds & Supplies Sale Ellsworth 2020

March 31, 2020: We have made the decision to POSTPONE the Seconds and Supplies Sale in Ellsworth that would have taken place on May 30, 2020. We have not decided on a date, however we are hopeful to reschedule in the fall.

Postponed: STITCH: Maine Designers on the Runway 2020

April 10, 2020: We have made the decision to POSTPONE the STITCH our fashion fundraiser that would have taken place June 4, 2020 at Urban Farm Fermentory in Portland. We have not decided on a date, however we are hopeful to reschedule in the fall.

Submission Deadline Extended: Big Ink Prints + The Center for Maine Craft

April 23, 2020: We have made the decision to extend the ‘Call for Art’ for this event. New registration deadline TBA. Read more here.

Cancelled: MCA Guild Fine Craft Show MDI (July 24, 25, 26)

4/30/20: This decision was made in accordance to restrictions placed on July and August 2020 events (Outlined by Gov. Mills on 4/28/20). We understand the possibility of adjustments to these restrictions, yet, we cannot proceed with show planning with this possibility. We still hope to be able to hold the MCA Guild Fine Crafts Shows in Scarborough (Sept) and Brunswick (Oct).

Cancelled: MCA Guild Fine Craft Show Belfast (Aug 14, 15, 16)

4/30/20: This decision was made in accordance to restrictions placed on July and August 2020 events (Outlined by Gov. Mills on 4/28/20). We understand the possibility of adjustments to these restrictions, yet, we cannot proceed with show planning with this possibility. We still hope to be able to hold the MCA Guild Fine Crafts Shows in Scarborough (Sept) and Brunswick (Oct).

Cancelled: Portland Fine Craft Show (Aug 22)

4/30/20: This decision was made in accordance to restrictions placed on July and August 2020 events (Outlined by Gov. Mills on 4/28/20). We understand the possibility of adjustments to these restrictions, yet, we cannot proceed with show planning with this possibility. We still hope to be able to hold the MCA Guild Fine Crafts Shows in Scarborough (Sept) and Brunswick (Oct).

Cancelled: Craft Apprentice Program Exhibition RECEPTION (Oct 2)

6/1/2020: The CAP exhibition will still take place (location TBA) but there will not be a public reception in the interest of avoiding an indoor event with a crowd.