Maine Art Collective's (MAC) Gallery in Portland, Maine, has added five new artists to its roster for the 2026 season: Ann Tracy, Bill Elinoff, Sheri Oliva, donnersmith, and Tracy Hehmeyer. The gallery, which transitioned from a pop-up to a full-time space about a year ago, now features 17 artists total. Founder Susan Vittner, an artist herself, emphasizes the gallery's mission to support emerging artists through a cooperative model where artists retain most of their profits.
This expansion matters because it highlights the growing viability of artist-run, cooperative galleries in smaller art markets like Portland, Maine. By keeping original artwork affordable and accessible, MAC Gallery offers an alternative to the commercial gallery system, fostering local creative communities and providing emerging artists with crucial exhibition and sales opportunities.