Flags painted on lobster buoys by area multicultural students to resemble the flags of their birth countries are now on display at the Portland Public Schools Multilingual and Multicultural Center – just in time for Portland’s Dec. 6 First Friday Art Walk. The vibrantly colored “Flags on Lobster Buoys” exhibit in the Center’s display window at 353 Cumberland Avenue sends a message of welcome and inclusion to Portland’s multicultural students and families.

In all, the buoys represent more than 70 countries, and are reflective of the diversity found at the Portland Public Schools, which is Maine’s largest and most diverse school district. Approximately one-third of its more than 6,500 students come from homes where languages other than English are spoken—a total of 59 languages.

The public artwork was created in 2016 by more than 100 students from the University of Southern Maine and local schools under the direction of artist Natasha Mayers, who served as USM's artist in residence. The lobster buoys/flags were formerly exhibited at USM and the Portland Jetport.

Mayers, Maine’s leading activist/artist who is known for encouraging creative approaches to community concerns, said, “I hope the buoy installations will make us all more aware of the rich cultural diversity being woven into Maine and help us open our hearts to the contributions and struggles of our new neighbors.”

The first buoys were painted by students in the Portland Public Schools’ Multilingual & Multicultural Center’s Make It Happen program for the opening of the exhibition “400 Years of New Mainers” at the Maine Historical Society. USM students from many disciplines completed the first set for USM. Art students made a second set to hang in the Portland Jetport.

The students’ collective effort transformed a traditional icon of Maine and the sea – which many immigrants have crossed to get here – and imbued it with new associations now on display at PPS.

On First Friday, Dec. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., the public is invited to visit the Multilingual & Multicultural Center at the Portland Public Schools Central Office, located at 353 Cumberland Avenue. In addition to the lobster buoys/flags, a Hispanic and Latino Clothing/Textile Exhibit can be viewed in the Center’s hallway.

WHAT: A vibrantly colored “Flags on Lobster Buoys” art exhibit in the display window of the Multilingual and Multicultural Center sends a message of welcome and inclusion to Portland’s multicultural students and families. In addition to the lobster buoys/flags, a Hispanic and Latino Clothing/Textile Exhibit can be viewed in the Center’s hallway.

WHEN/WHERE:  Friday, Dec. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., during First Friday Art Walk, at PPS Central Office, located at 353 Cumberland Avenue.

The Portland Public Schools is Maine’s largest school district, with more than 6,500 students, and it’s also the most diverse. About one-third of the district’s students come from homes where languages other than English are spoken—a total of 59 languages. Approximately 47 percent of the district’s students are white and 53 percent are students of color. Nearly half of PPS students qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.