Place: Spindleworks, 7 Lincoln Street, Brunswick, ME.
Distance from campus: Seven-minute walk.
Date: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Necessary gear: A smock or old t-shirt and a creative spirit.
Cost: Free.
From Gelato Fiasco to Big Top to The Little Dog Cafe, Maine Street offers an enjoyable break from campus. But venture further, and you will realize that there are lively nooks to be discovered around the corner.
Just off of Maine Street, in a large blue house, there is a non-profit art center that specializes in helping adults with disabilities express themselves through a variety of mediums.
Colorful weavings, paintings and drawings made by over 35 artists from the greater Brunswick area cover the walls.
Books of poetry, sculpture, pillows, T-shirts, pottery, jewelry and bags are also exhibited throughout the house.
In a room called the "Whatnot Gallery", artists display their masterpieces and put on a show for Brunswick's Second Friday Art Walk program.
For the past few months, artists have been busy making crafts for the holiday season. According to the Spindleworks Web site, the artists sell their work locally and nationally, receiving 75 percent of the sale price.
Spindleworks is a program of the Independence Association of Brunswick.
The Web site states that the center's mission is "to help children and adults with disabilities achieve full and inclusive lives in their chosen community."
The Spindleworks studio, gallery and store are open to visitors daily, and artists are eager to show off their work and give tours of the facility.
Elsa Millet '12 recently visited Spindleworks as part of a documentary photography project and found the space completely fascinating.
"It was magical. The entire place was a work of art. I received a tour of the facilities from two very energetic women and spent time with artists in the studio spaces," Millet said.
Millet decided to shoot a second roll of film to fully capture Spindleworks' unique atmosphere.
"The rooms were so bright and colorful that I looked forward to starting my day photographing the artists' activities," she said.
Spindleworks invites Bowdoin Students to volunteer for their program in a variety of ways. The McKeen Center has had a long history of collaborating with Spindleworks—calling on volunteers to teach classes, assist in classes being led by staff, help with organizing projects, or photograph artwork.
Volunteers often work one-on-one with artists on specific projects, introduce new skills, and escort artists in the community.
On Bowdoin's McKeen Center partner pages, the listing for Spindleworks states: "This is a very unstructured volunteer position, with minimal supervision. Individuals who are gregarious and flexible will do well!"
I would like to challenge you, Bowdoin students, to skip down Maine Street and explore this empowering organization.
Get messy. Write or research grants. Help out.
It will mean more than just a check off your list of the "50 More Things To Do at Bowdoin."