United Maine Craftsmen

THE 2023 SEASON WAS A DIFFICULT ONE FOR THE UNITED MAINE CRAFTSMEN. OUR MEMBERSHIP DECREASED DUE TO RETIREMENT OF MEMBERS, MEMBERS FINDING OTHER AVENUES TO SELL THEIR PRODUCTS, I.E. THE INTERNET AND CO-OP STORES. WE NEEDED TO CHANGE THE LOCATION OF OUR HOLIDAY SHOW IN DECEMBER DUE TO PARKING ACCOMMODATIONS. WE ADDED A LOCATION IN PORTLAND, BUT DUE TO THE MASS SHOOTING IN LEWISTON AND FEAR OF THE PERSON OF INTEREST ON THE LOOSE, WE MADE THE DECISION TO CANCEL. DUE TO LACK OF PARTICIPATION, WE NEEDED TO CANCEL THE BREWER SHOW. ATTENDANCE HAS BEEN DOWN ALTHOUGH WE MADE THE DECISION LAST YEAR TO STOP CHARGING A GATE FEE. AT OUR ANNUAL MEETING, WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER AND THREE BOARD MEMBERS, WHICH WE WERE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISH. A SUMMARY OF SHOWS DURING THE YEAR IS AS FOLLOWS: AUGUSTA - 45 VENDORS FALL FESTIVAL - CANCELLED HOLIDAY - 52 VENDORS BREWER - CANCELLED ALL CATEGORIES OF CRAFTS WERE REPRESENTED AT EACH SHOW BY AT LEAST ONE VENDOR. THE MAJORITY OF THE VENDORS HAD A SUCCESSFUL SEASON, EVEN THOUGH THE CUSTOMER ATTENDANCE WAS DOWN AT ALL OF THE SHOWS. UNITED MAINE CRAFTSMEN IS LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT 2024 SEASON WITH SIX SHOWS PLANNED. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS TWO 300 ART SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUALLY TO STUDENTS PURSUING A MAJOR AND CAREER IN A VISUAL ART.