Bringing the community together
The University of Maine Art Education Community Outreach program is an intercultural program that acknowledges and celebrates the diversity found within both the state of Maine and the country we call home. UMAECO prides itself in supporting all peoples and especially those from minority populations.
Avery Carter - they/them/theirs
Avery Carter is an openly queer and openly transgender/nonbinary undergraduate Art Education student at the University of Maine. With a special interest in multicultural and intercultural education, they enjoy using art as a means of learning about others and helping people build empathy. Although experienced in a variety of media, they especially enjoy acrylic painting and collage art. Many of their artworks are viewable online under the pseudonym Avery Cobalt.
Jessica Hamilton-Jones - she/her/hers
Jessica Hamilton-Jones is an artist and an art teacher for the Waterville Alternative Senior High School in Maine. Originally from Massachusetts, Jessica went on to get her BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, in 1989. Dedicated to her four children, including twins and an autistic son, Jessica focused on her family life. During this time, she worked as a florist, eventually opening her own small business. As a single mother, she worked with her children on the renovation of two dilapidated old farmhouses in Maine. Although these years presented many challenges, including extreme poverty, Jessica managed to go back to school in 2013 to receive her second bachelor's degree in education from UMA. Jessica's life took a positive turn in 2016 when she moved to Winslow, Maine, with her children and her new husband. While working as a museum educator for the L.C. Bates Museum, Jessica learned to love combining the natural sciences and history with art education. After completing her teacher certification requirements, she found her current position at the Waterville Alternative High School. Jessica feels that she has found her perfect placement because through art education,she can help students overcome some of the adversities that she has faced. Jessica is completing her degree as a Master of Art in Interdisciplinary Studies in Maine Studies from the University of Maine. Her final project will be a culmination of her artistic talents and her passion for education. Stay tuned because the best is yet to come.
Sarah Viekman - she/her/hers
Sarah Viekman is an Art Education and Studio Art double major from Dixmont, ME. When she is not in class or making art, she plays the trombone in the UMaine Marching Band and flute in the Pep Band. She loves experimenting with many different types of media in her artwork and is always excited to try new things. When she first came to the University she started out as a Biology major, but she soon switched into Art Education after realizing that not only did she love art, she wanted to share that love with the people around her.
Shelby Merchant - she/her/hers
Shelby Merchant is an Art Education major, Studio Art and Art History minor from Dixmont, Maine. When not in class she is out riding her motorcycle, but in class she has a passion for education and helping children succeed in all their endeavors. With experience as a camp counselor and as a Behavioral Health Professional, she hopes to use the skills that she has acquired to create a classroom environment where everyone can have a real sense of belonging and can also learn as much as they possibly can. When creating her own art she works in a variety of media, such as; oil paint, acrylic paint, and digital works.