FORT KENT, Maine – When a Fort Kent arts center announced last month that it needed financial help to stay afloat, the town and surrounding communities stepped up to save it.
The Rivertown Arts Center has been a popular fixture in the St. John Valley since opening in 2024. Just a week after it opened, it received close to 100 sign-ups for paid memberships.
But lately, rising costs and declining memberships have left Rivertown Arts about $10,000 behind. Founder Jenna Jandreau decided to launch a public appeal before the center reached a point where it had to close. In just a month, the community — including a former Broadway dancer — has stepped up to ensure that the center’s creative presence can continue.
“Sometimes you hear about businesses closing or struggling, and community members will say ‘If only I had known. I would have done something,’” Jandreau said. “You hear about it only after it’s already closed, so we didn’t want that to be the case.”
Since opening, Rivertown has moved from Main Street to a larger location on Market Street. It then started collaborating with Van Buren’s Acadian Arts Center, allowing people separated by about an hour of driving to work on art programs virtually.
The center also expanded into a second building on Main Street that is exclusively used as a pottery studio, which has become one of the most popular offerings from Rivertown.
The studio still has strong membership and is more financially sustainable, Jandreau said, so fundraising will targets the main arts center.
Rivertown on Market Street facility also hosts classes and events that cater to a variety of creative outlets including painting, writing and music. But earlier this year, Jandreau noticed some had discontinued their memberships.
“Some reached out and said it was just the price of gas and groceries, and things like that,” Jandreau said. “And so of course we understand that. Our expenses were also increasing.”
Jandreau sat with the board to discuss future cost savings and changes that could be made.
She’s been overwhelmed by the community support. About 50 people have made cash donations while others have offered up items to be raffled or to donate their skills to the center.
Artist Robin Wimbiscus has offered to raffle off the original version of her painting “Sled Ride,” which depicts several animals on a sled and has sold several prints.
Kristen Hoagland Moore, a Wallagrass-based dance instructor who has performed on Broadway, will host a dance workshop. Moore was in the ensemble for the popular musical “Hamilton” for five years.
“She is going to do a ‘Dance Like Hamilton’ workshop where she’s going to show moves from the original play,” Jandreau said. “And all of the proceeds are going to Rivertown for that.”
The center is important because it brings people together, Moore said.
“It’s encouraging creativity and connection through all its programs and inspiring all generations to get involved, get massy and exercise that imagination. People need the arts,” she said.
For Heidi Welch of Madawaska, who is both a member and instructor, it’s a hub for communal learning.
“It is an ever-present source of artistic education by doing, a healthy diversion for all ages and an opportunity to connect socially in an inclusive and nurturing environment,” Welch said. “It counterbalances the social isolation inherent in advancing technology and offers a means for adults to find balance in their lives.”
Marilyn Epp said it is a center for inspiration and creativity. She is amazed “that one little collective is enriching the lives of so many.”
Jandreau feels confident that they will hit the goal, especially considering that the “Hamilton” workshop and art auctions haven’t happened yet. It’s been a whirlwind of a week, she said.
The town recently held a celebration honoring America’s 250th anniversary, and reached out to Jandreau to ask about helping Rivertown. The event featured a dunk tank that turned out to be incredibly popular, and all tank proceeds — more than $1,000 — went straight to Rivertown.
Once the center reaches its goal, Jandreau wants to make it more sustainable, which could include bartering with some artists who teach by offering them memberships at the pottery studio in return for their time.
“Some of our instructors here get to use the pottery studio and the kiln, and they’ll teach a class each month in exchange,” Jandreau said.
The studio also rents its space, most recently to the Fort Kent Sovereign Market, which held its grand opening at the arts center last Saturday.
Renting not only brings in revenue but piques the curiosity of guests who may want to learn more or become studio members.
“I always make this joke that, when you get people into watercolor, they can buy a watercolor set and do it at home, but when you get people into pottery they can’t necessarily go out and buy a $1,200 pottery wheel or a $7,000 kiln,” she said. “So the pottery studio is still running smoothly.”
Jandreau is amazed to see so much support come from the surrounding community.
“This is definitely a blood, sweat and tears venture,” she said. “It’s 100% volunteer operated. There’s a sense of trust that we’re going to take this and use it to keep the doors open for a long time to come.”
