NSB Makes New $30,000 Multiyear Commitment to Lights Out Gallery

NORWAY—Lights Out Gallery, is a nonprofit arts hub currently occupying the 15,000 square foot building located on 10 Tannery Street in Norway. What was once a snowshoe factory in the early 1900’s is soon (2029) to be home to a gallery, dance studio, artists’ studios, and additional spaces being renovated to accommodate further creativity and performance. Who knew a Portland power outage in 2019 would lead to a dream and the building of a community in the name of celebrating the arts years later in Norway?

“The power went out when we were holding a pop-up art show in my apartment but we rented a generator and kept the show going with construction lights,” said Daniel Sipe. “The attendance and the enthusiasm were so high. It’s where the name came from!”

Lights Out Gallery, founded by Sipe, Karlë Woods, and Reed McLean is purchased the building in 2022 and have since taken step after step to effectively and deliberately renovate, stabilize, and improve the facility so activities could be gradually introduced to the space. Currently, a large area on the first floor is being turned into a coworking space with a conference room and offices; ADA-compliant bathrooms; and a kitchen and dining area attached.

The overall plan will take years to complete, to be expected with a project massive in both size and potential impact. Such an endeavor requires substantial support from the community, including local businesses like Norway Savings Bank, which has donated over $25,000 to the organization over the last three years and has now entered into a new $30,000 multiyear commitment. Representatives from NSB visited Lights Out Gallery and met with its founders on April 29 (pictures, caption below).

“We’re grateful for Norway Savings Bank’s continuing belief in what we’re doing and support to help us get there,” said Sipe. “Lights Out Gallery is focused on establishing a permanent home for artists from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. To have community businesses and organizations who have our backs in pursuing that mission is tremendously gratifying and inspiring.”

Along the way, the organization has also produced over 90 videos of interviews with Maine artists, posted on the Lights Out Gallery website and archived by Colby College in Waterville. It has also curated numerous pop-up shows around the state, each building excitement over the community that has already started to form around the organization and project.

“It’s amazing to see the progress that has been made over the course of the last year and the passion on display is incredible,” said Dan Walsh, President and CEO of Norway Savings. “It’s exciting for us to be a small part of this large and growing group of supporters who believe in both the power of possibility and the potential of a flourishing arts center right off Main Street.”

The goal is to have Lights Out Gallery shining fully by the end of the decade. If you can support the cause, visit www.lightsoutgallery.org/donate. The website also highlights the work that has been done and offers a glance at the wide range of programming planned for the future.

“Every day, we get closer to a statewide arts organization that can bring people together through genuine connection, storytelling, education, and fun,” said Woods. “To have this special place where creativity is celebrated and the arts are enthusiastically supported by and for the wider community, what could be better than that?”

Caption (L to R): Karlë Woods, Lights Out Gallery Founder and Co-Director; Dan Walsh, President and CEO of Norway Savings Bank; Melissa Rock, Marketing Director SVP at Norway Savings Bank; Michael Grass, Market Manager VP at Norway Savings Bank; Daniel Sipe, Lights Out Gallery Founder and Co-Director; Reed McLean, Lights Out Gallery Founder and Co-Director.