Sheri Withers-Hollenbeck

Sheri Withers-Hollenbeck is an artist and founder of The Hive Artisan Co op, co-owner of Downtown Handmade, and co-founder of the Sunday Indie Market. She says, “All of my current endeavors are connected to the arts and community in Downtown Lewiston. With The Hive we give a space to area artists to create and showcase their art, teach workshops and host artisan talks.” Sheri states, “As a member of the Union of Maine Visual Artists, my passion lies with creating art-related and buy local events that draw people to our growing art and beer scene.”

For Sheri, “It is all about community.” She says, “We moved back to Lewiston in 2012 after helping to open Forage Market. Within the first year of the market being open we opened Downtown Handmade & Vintage. The whole family fell in love with the very strong community ties we quickly developed.”

Her vision for the community’s future includes more personal investment. Sheri says, “Stanley Hollenbeck, Corey Dufour and I recently acquired the old Lamey Wellehan Building on Lisbon Street.” This fall they will open the Curio- Art & Alehouse, adding, “This building and I have had a love affair for years and am beyond excited to call it my forever home.”

Sheri hopes that the community can overcome a fear of change, noting, “People like to hold on to how things used to be instead of what they can be. We are only going to be able to do this if we welcome all of our community members and their cultures. My hope is art can help create the path to open discussions on how we can change and continue to grow.”