We're thrilled to announce Maine-based artist Ryan Adams as the recipient of our 33rd Justice Louis Scolnik Award!
Join us on Thursday, November 19, to celebrate free expression and our united fight to protect civil rights and civil liberties in Maine.
We’re excited honor Maine-based artist Ryan Adams, opening a new chapter for this award by celebrating the fundamental relationship between the arts and our First Amendment freedoms of speech and expression. In trying times, free expression is a critical tool to speak out, push back, find joy, explore new ideas, and build community.
This event honors the legacy of Louis Scolnik, a justice on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court and the co-founder and first president of the ACLU of Maine. He dedicated his life to the pursuit of fairness and equality under the law, and this event continues his vision by celebrating those who carry that work forward today.
Ryan carries the torch of Justice Scolnik's fight not with lawsuits and court orders, but with large-format murals, prints, and community engagement. Through his art, Ryan reminds us of our collective power to lift underserved communities, amplify unheralded voices, and shine light on critical issues.
Just this past year, Ryan created and publicly shared "No ICE" signs so business owners and community spaces could push back against violent immigration operations. The visual power of the pieces was matched by Ryan's generosity. The signs went viral, becoming an important element of resistance and resilience across the country and throughout Maine. More recently, Ryan was part of a project to honor Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, the man who was killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Biddeford this summer.
We hope you will join us to honor all who inspire us to keep working toward a more just and equitable Maine. The event will be held at Portland's beautiful Ocean Gateway. Guests will enjoy cocktails, live music by Maine-based musician Kafari, and hearty hors d'oeuvres from MAIZ Colombian Street Food.
