Rockland’s contemporary art center names interim director

A little more than a year after joining the Center for Maine Contemporary Art as curator, Grant Wahlquist will expand his palette as interim director, with immediate effect. Touted as a cultural leader with deep ties to Maine’s arts community, Wahlquist succeeds Robert Wolterstorff, who left for personal and health reasons. “We couldn’t be more delighted knowing we have someone as talented as Grant to step in and provide steady leadership for CMCA,” Carolyn Watson and Rick Franklin, board co-chairs at the center, said in a joint statement. “He has demonstrated the leadership qualities we value, and through his curatorial vision and management abilities during his tenure at CMCA, has proven that he can successfully lead the organization into its 75th anniversary year,” they added. Wahlquist joined CMCA in July 2025 as curator, overseeing the museum’s exhibition program. Over the last year, he has curated or overseen 10 changing exhibitions, including the upcoming “Because the Sky is Blue.” “I am honored to step into this role at such an important moment of growth and renewed momentum,” Wahlquist said. “CMCA has an extraordinary history of championing artists and introducing audiences to ambitious contemporary art, and I look forward to partnering with our talented staff and board to build on and expand that legacy.” Broad experience Wahlquist brings years of experience in the arts. From 2017 to 2024, he operated the Grant Wahlquist Gallery in Portland, representing emerging and mid-career artists from across the United States. Earlier in his career, Wahlquist worked at the Orange County Museum of Art in California, where he contributed to numerous solo and thematic exhibitions. He later practiced law in New York City. Wahlquist is also an active arts writer and critic. He holds degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary, the University of Nottingham and the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.