Be Seen Week at Maine College of Art & Design is a culmination and celebration of work by MECA&D students, open to the public. Signature events include Empty Bowls, The Animation & Film Festival, The Fashion Show, the BFA Thesis Show, and the MFA Thesis Show. Be Seen tells our unique and authentic story; because of MECA&D’s intimate size and unparalleled setting, our students and their work will Be Seen at MECA&D.
Check out some highlights from Be Seen Week 2025 at MECA&D.
Empty Bowls
Empty Bowls raised $6,500 for Wayside Food Kitchen while guests were treated to incredible food prepared by Hannah Ryder of Twelve Restaurant and took home a handmade bowl by MECA&D Ceramics students.
The Animation & Film Festival
The sold-out, second annual Animation & Film Festival was hosted at Mechanics' Hall and featured original submissions from MECA&D students across the College. Films were judged by a jury of MECA&D alums in a variety of categories and audience members voted for their favorite film with the People’s Choice Award!
The Fashion Show
The sold-out Fashion Show presented work from Textile & Fashion Design students and raised funds for student scholarships. This year, guests were able to purchase raffle tickets to win a limited edition handwoven blanket from Swans Island designed in collaboration with Textile & Fashion Design major Milo Glassman.
Confluence: 2025 BFA Thesis Exhibition
The Maine College of Art & Design 2025 BFA Thesis Exhibition, Confluence, brought together the work of 88 Seniors displayed on four of the six floors of the Porteous Building, and including eighteen TVs.
"Much like the merging of streams in nature, Confluence is a gathering of these different paths and histories. Each senior brings unique ideas and approaches to their artistic practice, but for this brief moment, they come together in the halls of the Porteous building."
MFA Thesis
The MFA Thesis Exhibition for the Class of 2025 incorporated a range of making practices unified by the overwhelming concerns these students have for their environment, their communities, their families, and their own well-being. With an emphasis on the personal, and at times the anecdotal, these 17 artists made a variety of contributions in the form of ceramics, drawings, paintings, photographs, poems, prints, sculptures, sound and video installations, and textiles.
Commencement
Commencement exercises took place at Merrill Auditorium with celebrations following. Cannupa Hanska Luger, Hon. DFA '25 delivered an inspiring commencement address, and students, friends, and families filled the halls of the Porteous building, reveling in the joy and accomplishments of the Maine College of Art & Design 2025 graduates.
All photos by Natalie Conn, Salt '07.