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Alumni News (February '26)
Every season, we welcome ~50 artists to Hewnoaks to live simply and shape their days around what their practice needs most. Somewhere between the long studio days, bonfires by the lake, walks through the woods, and late-night conversations, something settles in – the land, the loons, the people, the quiet, the rare feeling of being fully present in your work. Artists who have spent time at Hewnoaks tend to remember it vividly, and they tend to stay connected.
Hewnoaks alumni are out in the world doing remarkable things: showing in galleries, publishing books, earning grants, teaching, collaborating, taking creative risks – in small towns and big cities, on stages and on the page.
This monthly update is a chance to celebrate the work, milestones, and creative lives of artists who have spent time here. And equally as important, it’s a reminder that while a residency may only last a week or two, the connection to Hewnoaks is forever!
February ’26 Updates:
Aaron T Stephan ‘21 and Will Sears ‘16 celebrated the opening of their latest exhibitions at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockland on January 31, 2026, alongside other hanging works. Stephan’s installation Murmur, consisting of thousands of cast concrete blocks, is on view through April 5, 2026, and Sears’ latest mural Daisy Chain is up through September 6, 2026.
Amanda Marchand ‘18 is opening space in her Artist Advisory for the month of February for “Doctor’s Hours” to offer support, coaching, and consulting on projects and art practice.
Hilary Irons ‘21, Bethany Engstrom ‘19, and Julie Poitras Santos ‘16 are included in Spaces Places Traces, a group show at Emery Community Arts Center in Farmington, now on view through March 12, 2026.
Douglas Milliken ‘19 discussed his recent memoir Any Less You on WRFR Rockland’s Random Rules.
Will Hutnick ‘23 will be opening his solo exhibition Time’s a Goon on February 27th at High Noon Gallery (NYC).
Kat Zagaria ‘23 recently published a new work of Creative Nonfiction, i/we, in effy magazine.
Space Gallery announced the 2026 Kindling Fund Grantees, awarding 12 grants totaling $65,000 from a pool of 60 submissions. 5 of the 12 grantees include Hewnoaks alum: Maya Tihtiyas Attean ‘23, Shane Charles ‘25, Jude Marx ‘25, James Parker Foley ‘25, and Kristen Stake ‘21.
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