Engine, a nonprofit arts organization in Biddeford, announced that Nick Blunier is the organization’s new Art Programming Director.

In addition to managing as many as 25 artists showing their work at the downtown Biddeford studio, he has been integral in planning Engine’s seasonal ArtWalk and running Biddeford’s annual Poker Crawl, which involves 37 downtown businesses.

Blunier’s passion for art began at a young age when he recreated his mom’s favorite painting – Van Gogh’s The Starry Night – in marker.

“When I gave it to her, seeing her light up and going to get it framed just showed me how creating things can have an effect on people,” he said.

Much of Blunier’s work has focused on not only sharing artwork with people, but sharing the experience of creating art. Since May 2017, he has been the lead art teacher for Sweetser School, teaching project and curriculum-based learning to students in kindergarten through twelfth grade, including a media arts experiential learning program for high school aged students. The Community Art Bus, which Engine became a fiscal sponsor for in 2023, has delivered creative arts programming to approximately 5,000 children and adults in southern Maine who lack access to such opportunities. Blunier also hosts monthly adult art nights at area restaurants and breweries.

 

Saco Bay News recently collaborated with Nick Blunier for a t-shirt design. COURTESY OF SPREADSHIRT

Saco Bay News collaborated with Blunier to create a t-shirt design. For more information on the collaboration and to check out the design, click here.

“Engine received many amazing candidates and are very fortunate for all those who expressed interest in this position,” said Abigail Bryant, Engine Board President. “What stood out about Nick was his energy and passion for helping fellow artists, in particular his presence in the art community and strong background in fundraising and advocacy. Nick will continue to provide opportunities and growth for the art community. Engine could not be happier to welcome him as our new Art Programming Director.”

“Engine played a major role in my artistic development,” said Blunier. “Through my art course at University of New England, I was introduced to the organization and its founder, who helped me take the first steps to finally feel like an artist. When I found out about this position, I was immediately drawn to the idea so I could support the local arts community further.”

Engine’s board members said that Nick’s wheels are already spinning with ideas for Engine to identify creative gallery space for artists to display and sell their work, as well as developing more programs and driving fundraising efforts to fuel the creative economy. With more than 10 years of working as an artist in the area, he hopes to use the connections he has made to provide artists with critical resources and expose the community to more art.

“I am so excited about the opportunities that have arisen in my first week on the job and I encourage anyone who feels the need for support or wants to learn more about Engine to connect with me,” he said.

From staff and community reports. Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at [email protected].