Be Inspired into Action and Explore at the Mass Timber Maine Conference! 

Portland, ME -- The Portland Museum of Art is thrilled to announce the Mass Timber Maine Conference, taking place from November 13–15, 2024, in Portland, Maine. This groundbreaking event will bring together industry leaders, artists, innovators, and visionaries to explore the future of construction through mass timber technology.  

Are you ready to revolutionize the way we build our cities and communities?

Maine has long been a leader in sustainable wood products, and this conference will delve into how the state can continue to play a pivotal role in the development of mass timber. Attendees will experience an immersive event, complete with "Timber Talks," lectures, discussions, and field trips that showcase the cutting-edge of sustainable construction. 

We invite you to join us in embracing regenerative, climate-smart wood products and processes that lead us on a path towards long-lasting, positive outcomes for our economies and environment. Together, we can support a better future, one that fosters the people, communities, and industries poised to revitalize and reimagine our state and the Northeast. 

Learn More About the Mass Timber Maine Conference

Register Today

Conference Highlights: 

November 13 | Field Trips

Participants will embark on insightful field trips to local mass timber projects, forests, and research and manufacturing facilities. These excursions will provide an up-close look at innovative buildings, sustainable forestry practices, and state-of-the-art production processes, guided by experts shaping the future of the industry. 

Trip 1: Wood/Mass Timber R&D and Product Innovations 

• University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) in Orono 
• TimberHP in Madison 

Trip 2: Mass Timber Buildings and Prefabrication 

• Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum at Bowdoin College in Brunswick 
• The Ellis-Beauregard Foundation in Rockland 
• OPAL Build in Belfast 

Trip 3: Portland Area Taste of Timber 

• New England Forestry Foundation’s Arnold Family Forest in Freeport 
• 317 Main in Yarmouth 
• Patrons Oxford Insurance Building in Portland 
• Plus, a tour of the Portland Museum of Art’s Winslow Homer Studio on Prouts Neck 

November 14-15 | Timber Talks, Keynotes, and Signature Lectures 

Over two days, attendees will immerse themselves in thought-provoking presentations from pioneers, change-makers, and visionaries. The agenda includes dynamic keynotes and signature lectures, offering insights into the latest advancements, innovations, and real-world applications of mass timber in sustainable construction. 

Featured Speakers Include: 

• Amelia Baxter, Co-founder and CEO, WholeTrees Architecture and Structures 
• Mark H.C. Bessire, Judy and Leonard Lauder Director, Portland Museum of Art 
• Dennis Carlberg, Chief Sustainability Officer & Associate Vice President for Climate Action, Boston University 
• Tom S. Chung, Principal, Leers Weinzapfel Associates 
• Sophie Davis and Luke Fatora, Artistic Directors, Halcyon 
• Matt Delany, Library Director, Jesup Memorial Library 
• Pamela Franks, Director, Williams College Museum of Art 
• Kathleen Kolb and Verandah Porche, Authors of Shedding Light on the Working Forest 
• Chris Newell, Co-Founder/Director of Education, Akomawt Educational Initiative; Tribal Community Member in Residence, the University of Connecticut 
• Chandra Robinson, Principal, LEVER Architecture 
• Lucas St. Clair, President, Elliotsville Foundation, Inc. 
• Lindsey Wikstrom, Founding Principal, Mattaforma 

Keynote Speakers Include: 

• Thursday: Alan Organschi, Principal & Partner, GOAarchitecture 
• Friday: Peter MacKeith, Dean and Professor, Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas 

Special Women in Timber Breakfast 

The?Women?in?Timber?breakfast is designed to make space for?women?who have?interest?in?Mass?Timber?as a place to connect with peers, share resources, and build relationships without agenda. Empowering?women?to bring forward and advocate their achievements,?influence, and areas of growth to create new pathways with this novel material through cultivation, use and?installation, as opportunities?in?art, design, engineering, and construction. We envision strengthening and spotlighting how Mass?Timber?is opening new avenues for?women to create?inspiration?in?their areas of?interest. Brief remarks will be shared by our?invited?women?speakers at the midpoint of the breakfast with the majority of the time dedicated to connecting and networking.?

Why is an Art Museum Hosting a Mass Timber Conference?

An art museum is an ideal host for a mass timber conference because art has a unique power to unite people around complex and forward-thinking ideas. Art transcends traditional boundaries, creating a space where conversations about innovation, industry, and impact can flourish. By bringing diverse perspectives together in a cultural setting, the Portland Museum of Art is fostering a dialogue that blends creativity with sustainability, helping to shape the future of architecture and construction. This approach aligns with the museum's mission to inspire and engage the community in meaningful ways, making it a natural venue for such an important discussion. 

In addition, the Portland Museum of Art is at the forefront of a movement to spark a mass timber economy in Maine. Recently awarded $300,000 by the USDA for The PMA Blueprint, and a $2 million Federal Grant to support mass timber construction, the PMA’s sustainable campus expansion and unification project in collaboration with LEVER Architecture is dedicated to spurring industry and supporting the State of Maine.

For more information, please contact: 
Ashleigh H. McKown 
Director of Philanthropy, Portland Museum of Art 
[email protected] 
207-494-5346