Founded in 1986, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts is a nonprofit organization that serves as a hub for artists who create with clay. We foster the growth of ceramic artists at all career stages via residencies, workshops, educational programs, and public events.
Watershed’s residency model prioritizes the development of creative community. Small groups of artists from across the US and abroad come to our 54-acre campus for two to four-week sessions. Artists work alongside one another in an open-concept studio, forging lasting personal and professional connections.
Annually, Watershed reaches more than 2,000 adults and youth through our community programs. Contemporary leaders in ceramics facilitate artist workshops and groups of regional artists regularly make use of Watershed’s extensive atmospheric kiln facilities. Our K-12 programming lifts up students and provides professional development opportunities for arts educators across the state. Watershed also welcomes the public to learn about ceramic art and artists via exhibitions, celebrations, and artist talks.
Our Mission
Getting Here
Mailing Address, Office, & Barkan Gallery
103 Cochran Road, Edgecomb, ME 04556
Main Campus, The Commons, & Windgate Studio
19 Brick Hill Road, Newcastle, ME 04553.
Watershed’s campus spans the town line between Newcastle and Edgecomb, Maine. We are located in a rural area along coastal Route 1, between the towns of Wisscasset and Damriscotta. We are approximately 25 miles south of Augusta and 50 miles northeast of Portland.
Please note that Watershed is only open to the public during events and workshops.
- Follow Cochran Road one-half mile to the Office & Barkan Gallery, located in the yellow Joan Pearson Watkins House.
- The Main Campus is one-third mile past the office on Cochran Road. Turn right onto Brick Hill Road at the Watershed & Straw Farm signs. The first building on the right is the Commons, our residential life building.
- The Windgate Studio is one-quarter mile further down the gravel road to the right.
- On the opposite side of Brick Hill Road from Watershed’s property is Straw Farm’s private property. Please treat our neighbors and their space with respect.
From the South:
- Take I-95 (Maine Turnpike) North to I-295, exit 44. This takes you through Portland. Note that this is NOT the Maine Turnpike at this point.
- Follow I-295 North to exit 28 for Brunswick. As you exit I-295 at Brunswick you will be on U.S. Route 1 North.
- Follow Route 1 through Brunswick, Bath, and Wiscasset.
- After crossing the Wiscasset bridge, continue one mile to Cochran Road on your left- at the top of a hill, just past the Route 27 turn-off to Boothbay.
- Turn left onto Cochran Road at the blinking red stoplight, just past the turn-off to Rt 27 South.
From the North:
- Watershed is about 8 miles South of Damariscotta/Newcastle via Rt. 1.
- Turn right on Cochran Road at the blinking red stoplight, at the top of the hill across from the turn-off to Rt. 27 South.
The Portland International Jetport is about an hour’s drive from Watershed. You can get from the Portland airport to Watershed via the taxi services listed below. You must reserve ahead of time, so please call ahead with your flight details! Please note that the costs listed below are estimates given by the companies, prices are subject to change and you should call for more information. Oftentimes, it is less expensive to share a taxi, shuttle, or car service.
Some artists prefer to fly into Boston/Logan Airport (BOS) and catch a bus from there to Wiscasset, Maine, which is the town next to Watershed. Be sure to leave plenty of time between your flight’s arrival and the bus’ airport departure. We recommend you schedule at least 1.5 hours between your arrival and the bus’ departure. The Concord Coach Bus leaves Logan airport at 10:35 a.m. and arrives in Wiscasset at 2:25 p.m. From the bus stop, artists can arrange a pickup from a local taxi (options below) to Watershed or catch a ride from another incoming artist.
Twin Village Taxi | 207-380-0050
Towncar accommodates up to 3 people, approximately $156 including gratuity
They also have minivans that can accommodate up to 5 people
Sterling Elite | 207-785-3100
See website for airport shuttle times. Also offers a private, chauffeured car service. Airport shuttle NOT including gratuity – for 1 person approx. $138, for 2 people approx. $153
Atlantic Limousine | 207-856-6400
Sedan accommodates up to 2 people, approx. $213 including gratuity
SUV accommodates 4 – 5 people, approx $250 including gratuity
Maine Limo | 207-883-0222
Sedan accommodates up to 2 people, approx. $230 including gratuity
SUV accommodates up to 5 people, approx. $275 including gratuity
Additional $20 flat fee if they need to leave the office between midnight and 6am
Staff
Finance & Operations Manager
Interdisciplinary artist and curator Jen Barrows is the Finance & Operations Manager at Watershed. She received her MFA in Studio Art from The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, at Tufts University. They maintain a studio practice working in still and moving image, video performance, and sculpture at her studio in Maine.
Jen lives in Waldoboro, with her partner Brendan, an art fabricator, and together they run a contemporary art gallery, Gravedigger’s Daughter.
Studio & Facilities Manager
Matthew Dercole brings a wealth of studio management and teaching experience and a wide range of skill & expertise in ceramic materials, equipment and techniques. As a previous resident, summer staff member, artist and educator with deep ties to the ceramics community, Matthew has an appreciation of the positive impact a Watershed residency experience has on artists and looks forward to contributing to Watershed’s creative community as Studio & Facilities Manager.
Matthew received his MFA in Ceramics from the University of Iowa. He has held positions as Work Study at the Clay Studio in Philadelphia, and studio staff at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts. He has participated as Artist in Residence at the Lux Center for the Arts in Lincoln NE, Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago IL, and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg TN. Matthew has worked for artist Theaster Gates and Rebuild Foundation and has held instructor positions in ceramics at multiple art centers and universities across the US. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including museums in Spain, Croatia, South Korea and Slovenia.
Executive Director
David East has over 20 years experience as a ceramic artist and educator, 15 of which in a leadership role. East’s work includes an arts practice, education, curatorial work, writing as well as a long and varied involvement with Watershed. From his time as the cook and co-residence manager in 1995, to work in service to the organization, to his participation as an artist in residence, David’s commitment to Watershed is long standing.
David has served as the Faculty Advisor of Ceramics at the Maryland Institute College of Art, and has taught and been a visiting artist at numerous locations including University of Missouri-Columbia, Alfred University, Kansas City Art Institute, and the Tainan National College of Art, Taiwan. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally including in the GICBiennale Incheon, Korea, solo exhibitions at the Jane Hartsook Gallery, Greenwich House Pottery, NY, NY, Schulman Project, Baltimore, MD and many others. He has received numerous awards including, Individual Artist Awards from the Maryland State Arts Council, the Lighton Foundation, and the McKnight Foundation.
David lives in Brunswick with his wife Catherine, a textile designer and artist, and son, Ronan.
Program and Events Manager
Aidan works behind the scenes to organize Watershed’s residencies, workshops, events, and exhibitions. A ceramist herself, she owns and operates Luster Hustler Ceramics. A Humanities graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Aidan has worked in clay for more than 10 years, starting with Raku firing at Watershed as a teenager and more recently firing the salt and wood kilns. She has worked at several Maine pottery studios, including Edgecomb Potters, Damariscotta Pottery, Running with Scissors Studios, and C&M Ceramics. While working at The Good Supply — a shop in Bristol, ME that features work by Maine artists and artisans — Aidan developed a passion for learning about other artists’ processes. At Watershed, Aidan is thrilled to work in the office on programs and events, and on her own work in the Windgate Studio.
Communications Coordinator
Callie is an interdisciplinary artist and chef with work experience on farms, in kitchens, and studios. They hold a BA in Studio Arts from Bard College and an Italian Master’s in Applied Gastronomy from the University of Gastronomic Sciences. They are deeply passionate about ecology, knitting, and simple food. Callie grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and lives in Portland, Maine.
Senior Development Manager
Every is the friendly face behind Watershed’s fundraising. Creativity is Every’s raison d’etre. They make art, would eat art (well, depending…), probably dream art, and definitely wake up ready for more art. Not super surprisingly, they’ve devoted their career to supporting the arts. Every has worked for major art museums and tiny arts organizations alike, fifteen years of which have been in communications, development, and leadership. They are honored to be a part of Watershed’s long legacy of providing artists with the time and space required for full creative thought and expression.
Studio & Facilities Coordinator
Milly (Emily) McClellan joins the Watershed team as Studio & Facilities Coordinator. After working in wood shop, clay, and textile arts fabrication for the past five years, she has landed in Maine to be closer to her New England family, and focus on her clay practice. Milly was born and raised in Chicago and holds a BA in Studio Art from Lewis and Clark College. She now lives in Edgecomb where she spends her time gardening, building sculptures, and making darkroom photos of her sculptures.
Development Assistant
Eloise is thrilled to be a new member of the Watershed team. She grew up in Maine and returned in 2023 to be closer to family after nearly 20 years in California where she moved to pursue an MFA in studio art in 2004. The remainder of those twenty years her career was with the National Park Service working in museum collections preservation and management. She lives in Edgecomb where she spends her free time making art, repairing old furniture and weeding an old garden.
