Artist Mentors

Brooke Adams, Artist Mentor

Brooke is a classically trained photographer who specializes in black and white photography and off-road motor sports. Brooke received a fine arts degree from Heartwood College of Art in 2001. With an eye for detail she finds the beauty in high contrast textured fine art nature photography.  In 2015 Brooke teamed up with videographer Ann Steene to co-found Twisted Sprocket Studio. Together they capture the high-flying mud splattering world of off-road Mud Racing.  Brooke started at Independence association in 2012 in a variety of roles and programs, before finding her niche at Spindleworks as an Artist Mentor.  Brooke is a passionate artist who brings a variety of skills to share with the Spindleworks artists.  In 2019 she was honored with the Independence Association Community Support DSP of the year.  Brooke enjoys creating jewelry, multi-media art, photography-film and digital and working in the wood shop. When she is not working you can find her outside exploring nature, foraging for mushrooms, hiking, camping and spending time with her daughter, all with a camera in hand.

Brian Braley, Senior Manager Brunswick and Gardiner

Brian Braley believes that great art is found in our homes, hearts, and community and nothing exemplifies this more than Spindleworks. Brian received a BFA in Studio for Interelated Media from Massachusetts College of Art. He brings an interest in a multitude of media such as drawing, painting, printmaking, and video and a passion for experimentation. Brian has experience running art programs with at-risk youth and helped facilitate art workshops out of a home-based business. Creative work include designing backpacks, wallets, and hiking gear which he enjoys testing out on the Appalachian Trail.

Nancy Keenan Barron, Artist Mentor

A lifelong Maine artist, Nancy was born and raised in Farmingdale. As early as she can remember, she has been a maker. “I didn’t call it art,” she says. “I called it drawing, painting, playing. It was my go to activity.” Nancy’s art studies began in the closet of her childhood bedroom that became a spaceship with the help of a crayon. A formal education followed with art lessons in Mrs. McGrail’s basement where “For two hours on Saturday mornings I would get lost with pastels, paint and charcoal.” Later, she learned the formal language of art at the University of Southern Maine, acquiring words like gesture, mood, line, color, contrast and undulation. “Now these are ideas I try to convey through my work,” she says. “As an adult I still find peace while making art and gather inspiration from many arenas. Nature, life in central Maine and my daughters, with their sense of whimsy are my main inspiration.” She currently paints, makes mixed media works and assemblage sculptures in her home studio near the Kennebec River. She lives with husband Bill and three children, Willa, Dallas and Maggie.

Deirdre Barton, Artist Mentor

Deirdre Barton has a B.A, in English with a minor in Art from Boston College. She worked in a therapeutic classroom for preschool children with emotional and behavioral challenges as a Special Ed assistant. For 24 years, Deirdre ran her own retail business “Weatherbird,” which combined a cafe and bakery with a market for women’s clothing, home accessories and gifts. She began working at Spindleworks after being a dedicated volunteer for a year, and brought with her an eye for display, fashion, and a myriad of other talents that come with owning a successful business! A watercolorist primarily, Deirdre also weaves, has a new found interest in knitting and embroidery and is also exploring oil pastels, acrylics and printmaking. When not working, she is an avid gardener, winter sports enthusiast and biker. She enjoys spending time with her family and exploring near and far.

Toni Carroll, Artist Mentor

Toni has mentored artists at three of New England’s renowned arts programs: Gateway Arts, Flying Shuttles Studio, and, of course, Spindleworks. She finds joy in those moments when an artist finds a material or medium that speaks to them.

Toni holds a BFA in Sculpture from Massachusetts College of Art and can generally be found in Bath deconstructing, reconfiguring and assembling bits and pieces of stuff into sculpture.

Kaitlyn Hunter, Artist Mentor

Maine local, Kaitlyn Hunter is an avid maker. Identifying as a mixed media sculptor, Kaitlyn received her BFA from the University of Southern Maine and MFA from West Virginia University. Working in education as both an Ed tech and adjunct art professor at the University of Southern Maine, she has worked with a wide spectrum of learners .
Kaitlyn's work explores the intersectionality of monster mythology, body politics and concepts of identity. Always viewing the arts as a means of expression. "I truly believe in the transformative power of the arts and how it is a catalyst to share the human experience. In art we can find empathy, understanding and a shared joy in creative play."   

Martha Truscott, Artist Mentor

Martha Truscott is a painter, printmaker and mixed-media artist with a B.S. in Art Education from the University of Southern Maine. She is an experienced art educator with an extensive background working with people possessing all abilities, talents and challenges. She has taught visual and theater arts to elementary aged children, youth and adults in private and public schools and in therapeutic day treatment programs.

Brian Trelegan, Artist Mentor

Brian Trelegan has a habit of collecting old media and electronics; sometimes he makes art with them. At Spindleworks, Brian facilitates noisemaking, video art and whatever else the artists might want to try out that day. Brian graduated from Williams College and was a participant at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture.

Manon Whittlesey, Program Coordinator Gardiner

Manon Whittlesey has worked intermittently with Spindleworks, Spindleworks Offsite and SpinOff Studio since 2012. She thoroughly enjoys working in a community of artists and makers, always exploring new ways to use materials and find creative solutions. An avid outdoors person, Manon draws inspiration from Maine's landscapes large and small.

When not at a Spindleworks location, Manon can be found in her Bowdoinham studio (seat of Morphee Creations art and design laborator),  teaching, or tromping about some woods with her partner and sons. Manon holds a BA from Tufts University in Medical Anthropology, a BFA from the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts  in printmaking, and a Masters in Visual Communication from Creapole industrial design school, Paris, France.