KINGFIELD – Ribbon cutting ceremony events for the installation of the Maine High Peaks Art & Heritage Loop kiosks will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22.
The kiosks are located in five towns along the driving loop: Kingfield, Carrabassett Valley, Eustis, Rangeley, and Phillips. The Maine High Peaks Arts & Heritage Loop guides drivers along an 82-mile loop around 10 of Maine’s highest mountains. It serves as an insider’s look at cultural events, galleries, trails, museums, libraries, scenic overlooks, landmarks, and historic attractions.
The ribbon cutting events will be in Phillips at 10 a.m., Rangeley 11:30 a.m., Eustis 12:30 p.m., Carrabassett Valley 1:30 p.m., and Kingfield 2:30 p.m. The kiosks are located at the intersection of 149 and 142 in Phillips, Franklin Savings Bank Main Street Rangeley, Dead River Area Historical Society in Eustis, Carrabassett Valley Visitors Center, and by Skowhegan Savings Bank Main Street entrance in Kingfield.
This project is sponsored by the High Peaks Creative Council (HPCC). The HPCC was formed in direct response to the Maine Arts Commission’s Creative Communities = Economic Development grant that was awarded. The consortium is a network of regional arts organizations, museums, business associations, and municipal leaders.
This currently includes KC’s Kreativity, New Portland Public Library, Kingfield POPS, Kingfield Artwalk, Stanley Museum, Upcountry Artists, High Peaks Artisan Guild, Kingfield Village Enhancement Committee, Ski Museum of Maine, Route 27 Arts, Dead River Area Historical Society, Rangeley Friends of the Arts, Rangeley Chamber of Commerce, Wilhelm Reich Museum, Rangeley Lakes Region Logging Museum, Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum, Sandy River Business Association, Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad Museum, Phillips Area Community Center, Phillips Revitalization Committee, High Peaks Alliance, and Phillips Library and Studio.
The collaborative project thus far has produced the Maine High Peaks Arts & Heritage Plan, an asset map of the region, a website featuring these assets (www.highpeaksloop.com), funds to help develop the Phillips Public Library Studio, marketing for the 2013 Crossroads International Celtic Festival, the Maine High Peaks Arts and Heritage Loop Map & Guide, and loop kiosks in Carrabassett Valley, Stratton, Rangeley, Phillips, and Kingfield.
The HPCC also worked with Maine Department of Transportation to have the state put up 14 signs in the region pointing out important landmarks including Daggett Rock, Flyrod Crosby trailhead, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Mount Abram’s trailhead, and New Portland’s wire suspension bridge.
Organizers said the HPCC is dedicated to continuing to sponsor creative place making projects that connect our regional assets.
The project has been made possible by the generous support of the Maine Community Foundation, The Betterment Fund, The Maine Arts Commission, The Rangeley Lakes Regional Logging Museum, and the towns who helped install their kiosks.
For more information contact the HPCC part time coordinator, Saskia Reinholt. Email reinholtgallery@gmail.com or phone: 207-218-2072.
