Looking to provide a different experience this winter, Maine Maritime

Museum has created programming more unique and engaging than a staid lecture series.

“This is a brand-new program. We just created it a few weeks ago,” said Director of Public Programs Jason Morin. “Really the intent is to help draw people into the museum to experience us in the winter time, and to kind of realize that we are here and open year-round.”

The museum is often hopping with activity during the summer and fall, when tourists crowd the Midcoast and part-time residents return to the area. But during the winter, what Morin calls the “local season,” museum attendance tends to drop off.

“Our attendance is definitely much lighter in the winter months, say from November til April,” he noted.

The “On Deck” series, which starts Feb. 6, is meant to help offset that trend with a number of engaging discussions and activities.

“In the past, we’ve done regular lecture series and book signings and things like that. This year, we decided we wanted to try something a little more fun and engaging and social,” explained Morin. “We basically are thinking of these more as a kind of show and tell than as a lecture.

“So there’s some kind of educational element about six different topics and folks come in and learn a little bit about that topic,” he added, “but for most of the event they actually get to try their hand at something or watch someone do something. So it’s more than just lecturing; they’re actually engaging in the program.”

For the first event, which is titled “Artists of the Great War & Live Painting,” the museum’s curator will speak about how artists used their skills toward the war effort in World War I, drawing on the museum’s current exhibit about maritime Maine during that conflict. Meanwhile, a couple of volunteers will be painting live throughout the event. The second planned event is about Victorian hair art and will be very hands on.

“We have a number of hair art objects in our collection that we’ll take a look at and share, and folks will actually have an opportunity to try doing their own craft of hair art,” said Morin. “I think we’re probably going to use yarn instead of real hair, kind of for the ‘yuck’ factor. It will get people the idea of learning a little bit more about hair art.”

Presentations will be about 15-20 minutes, while the remaining time will be left for refreshments, social time and perhaps a craft. The programs are at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, starting Feb. 6 and continuing through March 13. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7.50 at the door for members, and $8 and $10.50 for nonmembers.

nstrout@timersecord.com

• SCHEDULE for programming at Maine Maritime Museum’s winter series

Feb. 6: Artists of the Great War & Live Painting

Feb. 13: The Lost Art of Victorian Hair Art

Feb. 20: Educational Passages: Little Boat, Big World

Feb. 27: Sailors’ Souvenirs: Art in Maritime Maine

March 6: Steam-bending: From Tree to Sea

March 13: Maritime Navigation