Sean Thomas on Art, Belonging, and the Maine Creative Community

Sean Thomas, manager of the Portland Art Gallery and a photographer with roots in documentary filmmaking, joins Dr. Lisa Belisle on Radio Maine to reflect on creativity, community, and the evolving role of artists in Maine’s cultural landscape. A Cape Elizabeth native and graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, Sean traces his path from photography and film to gallery leadership, where he now champions more than 60 artists with care, curiosity, and respect. He shares thoughtful insights on the importance of creative community, the vulnerability of making art public, and how constructive critique helps artists grow over time. Drawing on his experience traveling across Maine and beyond to meet artists in their studios, Sean emphasizes trust, storytelling, and accessibility as core values of the gallery. His perspective highlights a distinctly Maine sensibility—welcoming, relationship-driven, and grounded in place—while offering a broader reflection on how art connects people.

Join our conversation with Sean Thomas today on Radio Maine, and be sure to subscribe to the channel.

Radio Maine is sponsored by the Portland Art Gallery