PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Gretchen Violette recently joined the Wintergreen Arts Center board of directors.
A native of central Maine, Violette has adopted Aroostook County as her home.
She is no stranger to Wintergreen Arts Center. She has worked on several Wintergreen events and initiatives over the years including the center’s cafe, holiday signature events, as well as afterschool and summer arts programs.
“I love the fact that my children have grown up at Wintergreen,” said Violette. “I feel having a vibrant community arts center is important to the people of Presque Isle and our surrounding communities.”
Violette’s most recent volunteer efforts at Wintergreen Arts Center includes the organization’s recent renovations project and move to the Aroostook Centre Mall. Violette led the budgeting process and oversaw all aspects of construction and final design.
“Gretchen is amazing,” said Dottie Hutchins, Wintergreen’s executive director. “I know in all honesty that without Gretchen we would not have been on budget or schedule to open at our new space in time for school to open in September. She is a woman of great passion and determination. Wintergreen is lucky to have her.”
Wintergreen’s move to the Aroostook Centre Mall was a $30,000 project to renovate the former Rent-A-Center store, a 5,300 square-foot space that more than doubles the arts center’s State Street location.
All planning, management, and construction labor on the project was volunteer. The only paid members of the project team included licensed plumbers and electricians.
Wintergreen opened its doors at the new mall space with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 9.
Violette currently resides in Presque Isle with her husband, Scott, and their children, Zoey and
