Faces of Belonging: Building a Portrait of Community with Artist in Residence Lisa DiFranza

“Faces of Belonging: Building a Portrait of Community”

The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine invites visitors of all ages to “Faces of Belonging: Building a Portrait of Community,” a unique art experience with our current Artist in Residence, Lisa DiFranza. This collaborative 3D mixed-media mural allows community members to come together and explore themes of Belonging and Community through art creation and expression.

Visitors will be encouraged to add a personal touch to the mural — whether by adding a portrait of themselves or a loved one, a treasured item or object, or even by spelling out words and phrases that resonate with their sense of belonging. Each participant can add a small creation or stay for the whole process, contributing to an ever-growing and evolving community portrait.

Designed for all ages, “Faces of Belonging” allows each artist and maker to bring something unique to the mural while also offering the chance to make a creation to take home. Free choice materials are provided during each session, making it easy for everyone to explore their creativity in their own way. Families, caregivers, and children work together, making this an inclusive, shared experience that encourages both individual expression and community connection.

All sessions for “Faces of Belonging” are included with admission and take place in CMTM’s MakerSpace on the 2nd floor. Check the chalkboard upon arrival for a full list of times and activities to make sure you don’t miss out on this inspiring experience.

Join us at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine on November 10, 12, and 13 from 2 pm - 3:30 pm as we celebrate Belonging, Community, and the joy of making art together!

About Lisa DiFranza

Lisa DiFranza was raised in New York City, in a family of artists. She watched her dad sketch characters in their neighborhood, and her parents encouraged her to make her own artistic creations. Her love of both visual and performing arts led her toward a successful career as a theater director, educator and non-profit leader and consultant. Home during the pandemic lockdown, and with collaborative arts suspended, Lisa created 365 daily paintings in her kitchen “studio.” Those “dailies” recharted the course of her professional life, and gave way to a robust studio practice and exhibition schedule. 

Recently, her paintings have been exhibited at Saks Fifth Avenue, Royal Bank of Canada, MARA Gallery, Art Ovation Hotel, Art Center Sarasota, Ad Hoc Gallery, Cottonmouth Southern Soul, Baobab Gallery and ArtCenter Manatee, and can be found in private collections throughout the United States. 

As a theater director and educator, DiFranza has taught and mentored students of all ages, in Maine, New York, Florida, Iowa, North Carolina and Illinois. While living in Chicago, Lisa taught at Columbia College Chicago, and used her theater skills to launch The Living News Project – a multi-year journalistic theater collaboration about homelessness, working with Cornerstone Community Outreach, and supported by the City of Chicago and Illinois Humanities Council. She worked for five years on the production faculty of The Juilliard School Drama Division in New York.

As non-profit leader, Lisa served as the Executive and Artistic Director of The Children's Theater of Maine, Education Director and Literary Manager at Portland Stage Company, Founding Director of The Arts Academy, an innovative public high school arts pilot program for the State of Maine. She was hired to lead transitions for The Center for Cultural Exchange and the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine.