Federal Street Folly
This is a fantastic investment in our creative economy
When The Press Hotel opened in downtown Portland, Maine, they approached MECA&D to purchase artwork and commission custom projects. One commission involved hiring four Woodworking & Furniture Design students (Peter Dore, Melinda Thomas, Jenna Castillo, and Michelle Cody) to collaborate with faculty member Matt Hutton to create outdoor elements for an adjacent pop-up park, playfully named "Federal Street Folly." The park was created along a 100-foot-long block that created a pedestrian-friendly space for gatherings and cultural events throughout the summer. A nearby worker was quoted by the Portland Press Herald as saying, "This is a fantastic investment in our creative economy."