Thank you to Victoria Gordon for designing the ArtWalk logo!
ENGINE IS PROUD TO POWER BIDDEFORD’S ARTWALK EVENTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF BIDDEFORD, HEART OF BIDDEFORD, AND A NUMBER OF DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS.
These self-guided walks lead you to some of Biddeford’s working artists, local businesses, and restaurants and cafés exhibiting local artwork. Different every time, an ArtWalk evening may include opening receptions, street performances, and visits to open studios. You can view works in progress and even participate in hands-on workshops.
Rain or shine from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the Third Friday of the month!
* The August ArtWalk will incorporate Fringe Fest, with extended hours from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. with a block party on Main Street between the intersections of Washington and Alfred streets.
Each month, enjoy Biddeford’s vibrant art scene by wandering the Pepperell Mill Campus, Main Street (from Water to Elm streets), Alfred Street, Washington Street, and Shevenell Park. New for 2023, Washington Street will be closed to vehicular traffic, creating a street fair atmosphere. Artists will be set up along sidewalks, in parks, in the mills, and inside businesses. Bring your curiosity and walking shoes to enjoy something different each month!
We have a limited listing of the vibrant food and beverage spots in Downtown Biddeford on our ArtWalk Map. Heart of Biddeford’s places directory is the perfect place to find a bite to eat or a drink before or after ArtWalk festivities.
If you are interested in helping make ArtWalk happen as a sponsor with financial or in-kind support, please contact Engine by email at [email protected].
Artists, makers, creatives, and businesses of all types are welcome to participate in Biddeford’s ArtWalk for free. We asks participants to help share marketing materials, publicizing the event through social media and word of mouth, helping to bolster this vibrant creative community. If you plan to participate as an artist, please complete this form, or as a business, please complete this form. This helps usto know who to expect for the ArtWalk and have contact information for email updates as needed. If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected].
Each month, various venues participate in ArtWalk. Here is a partial listing of those venues that actively look for artists to display work during ArtWalk and throughout the year as pop-up shows and month-long exhibits:
Biddeford’s first ArtWalk was April 26, 2007. Artists Nancy Kureth and Jared Radding conceived of the idea based on Portland’s successful First Friday. Kureth and Radding organized a group show at the North Dam Mill and recruited Portland-based band Phantom Buffalo to perform in the mill. The event was a result of the Twin Cities Cultural Plan that was completed in 2006.
After the first ArtWalk, the downtown group Heart of Biddeford and other volunteers got involved, making it an ongoing monthly event with artists hosted at local businesses. The event expanded to include venues in Saco in 2013, and operated as the Biddeford+Saco ArtWalk until 2018.
Since 2009, Biddeford ArtWalk has been coordinated by Engine, a local nonprofit community arts organization and takes place on the third Friday of the month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Engine now collaborates with Common Roots Studio to co-produce this community event
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