Waterville
Maine
Waterville Creates Arts Spotlight From January 6-12, 2025
Arts and Entertainment
January 7, 2025
From: Waterville Opera HouseFEATURED
PORTRAIT OF ARETHA
starring CeCe Teneal
Aretha Franklin taught us how to "Think" and demand "Respect..." all while ridin' on the "Freeway of Love!" In Portrait of Aretha, CeCe Teneal honors the legacy of the Queen of Soul with personalized interpretations of both popular and lesser-known songs from this 18-Grammy-Award-winning icon’s 50-year career, including “Chain of Fools,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Rock Steady,” and “Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)."
Waterville Opera House
1 Common Street, Waterville
Thursday, January 9
7:30pm
$47–$57
Eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund
ARTS
COMMUNITY DRAW
The Art of Clay Studio
93 Main Street, Waterville
Wednesday, January 8
6-8pm
Adults and Teens 16+
$11
Eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund
Seasoned and aspiring artists are invited to join this costumed figure drawing session to refine their skills in a welcoming, supportive environment. Bring your preferred media—charcoal, pastels, paint, tablet, etc.—Ticonic will supply the chairs, model, and plenty of camaraderie.
3D PRINTING
FOR CERAMIC ARTS
The Art of Clay Studio
93 Main Street, Waterville
Saturdays, January 11 + 18
1-4pm
Adults and Teens 16+
$81
Eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund
Where creativity meets functionality! In this workshop, instructor Misha Oraa Ali leads participants into the world of 3D printing to design and create custom stamps, cutters, and maker's marks. This is a unique opportunity to explore the design and fabrication of personalized tools that can elevate your artistic practice-whether in ceramics, printmaking, or even baking! Together, we’ll explore the process of making custom texture rollers, stamps, and cookie cutters.
TEEN CLAY CLUB
Art of Clay Studio
93 Main Street, Waterville
Wednesdays, January 8 + 22
3-5pm
Ages 13–16
$61
Eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund
In these two-part sessions, students begin to explore the wonders of clay: focusing on hand-building, sculpture, and surface design. Each young artist is encouraged to find their own unique approach in clay.
Tools, glaze, firings, and all other materials included.
FILM
RATIFIED
with filmmaker Q+A
Maine Film Center
93 Main Street, Waterville
Sunday, January 12 at 12pm
Free
With Q+A from co-creator and MIFF alum Emily Best!
Most Americans believe the US Constitution protects gender equality. It does not. Ratified is a feature documentary about the 100-year struggle for constitutional gender equality, an inspiring story of a multi-racial, multi-generational, bi-partisan effort to make Virginia the 38th and final state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. It's also a story of how bureaucracy is used to stifle progress, and it takes a close look at the incredible perseverance of women—specifically the Black women leaders who have taken their rightful place at the front of the movement for gender equality.
ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT
Maine Film Center
93 Main Street, Waterville
Now showing
From $9
Eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund
The light, the lives, and the textures of contemporary, working-class Mumbai are explored and celebrated by writer/director Payal Kapadia, who won the Grand Prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival for All We Imagine as Light. Centering on two roommates who also work together in a city hospital—head nurse Prabha and recent hire Anu—plus their coworker, cook Parvaty, Kapadia’s film alights on moments of connection and heartache, hope and disappointment to create a soulful study of the transformative power of friendship and sisterhood, in all its complexities and richness. “One of the year’s great movies, in any form, style, or language”-Justin Chang, The New Yorker.
In Malayalam, Hindi, and Marathi with English subtitles.
PERFORMING ARTS
JULIA GAGNON
Waterville Opera House
1 Common Street, Waterville
Saturday, January 11
8pm
$31–$41
Eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund
Originally from Cumberland, Maine, Julia Gagnon gained national acclaim after placing in the top seven performers of the 22nd season of American Idol. Gagnon is a student at the University of Southern Maine, and her singing journey started at a school talent show. During her time with American Idol, Gagnon became a household name across the state, with Mainers rallying to support her in any way possible. Following her success on the show, Gagnon announced a statewide tour last summer and is working on writing and recording new music with her fiancé and musical partner, Nate Haven.
COMMUNITY
FAMILY STORY TIME: DRAGON-UARY
Waterville Public Library
73 Elm Street, Waterville
Saturday, January 11
1:30–2:15pm
Little Dragon Tales! Time to curl up in the library lair and listen to stories featuring dragons!
What is Family Storytime?
Fun for children and their caregivers with music, movement, and a bit more reading than Rhymetime. The target audience is 5–8 years of age, but ALL are welcome!
ELM CITY MUSIC SCHOOL
Registration Open for 2025 Lessons and Classes
January 20–March 18
New Location: 17 Railroad Square, Waterville
Contact Elm City at [email protected] or on Facebook
Private and semi-private lessons on most instruments, tailored to your interest. Ages 8-80+
Group classes include Wee Violin (ages 3-5 with parent); Rhythm Rockers (ages 5-8); Rock Band, Swifty Strummers Ukulele, Drums Alive, DIY Recording, and Community Sing!
UPCOMING
THE COTTAGE
This brand-new, side-splitting romp is an outrageous tale of sex, betrayal, and desire as one woman decides to expose her latest affair to both her husband—and to her lover’s wife. The true meaning of fate and faith, identity and infidelity, love and marriage are all called into question as a surprising and hilarious web of secrets unravels in this ridiculously funny romantic comedy.
Waterville Opera House
1 Common Street, Waterville
January 31, February 1, 7, 8 at 7:30pm
February 2, 9 at 2pm
$31–$33
Eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund
THE COTTAGE is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.
SUPPORT THE ARTS
YOUTH ARTS ACCESS FUND
Established in March 2022, the Youth Arts Access Fund (YAAF) provides youth aged 18 and under with free access to Waterville Creates events and programs—all of them! For just $1,000/month or $5,000/6 months, your business can be recognized as a YAAF sponsor of the month and provide critical support for this beloved program.
MEMBERSHIP
Our membership program provides benefits across all divisions, including the Waterville Opera House, Maine Film Center, and Ticonic Gallery + Studios, as well as special gifts from founding partners the Waterville Public Library and the Colby College Museum of Art. Your support will help sustain outstanding, accessible arts programming for all members of the community.