THE ZERO STATION STORY
ABOUT J.E. PATERAK
J.E Paterak (a.k.a Jeanne), is an artist herself having studied painting at Mass Art and Metalsmithing at Cranbrook Academy of Art She has been a Jeanne of all trades at Zero Station, many behind the scenes eg bookkeeper. In 2001, while located in South Portland, she curated her first exhibition of PRIMARY featuring colorful work by national & international studio jewelers & textile artists. Shortly thereafter 2004-07, she was a co-founder of CitizenSalon and was responsible for managing events and writing for the blog - citizensalon.org (for those who remember our most famous guest was Rachel Maddow).
During that same period, she was working full-time exhibiting as a studio jeweler. After we relocated Zero Station to 222 Anderson Street, she had her hands full with a new home in need of work, working as a business/marketing manager for an architecture firm. At this same time her interest grew in native planting, ecology, historic landscape and botany. After returning to art and jewelry in 2019 she moved her studio into the Zero Station space at 222 Anderson Street, combining her multiple practices into a cohesive space.
Since taking on the Gallery Director/curator role in 2020, she has curated over 20 exhibitions and takes to heart the meaning of curate: ‘to care’ for the work itself but also for the artists and our local community.
K.F. & J.E. w/ baby E in 2004 photo credit: A.F (at the time 5 years old).
We opened our first location in South Portland January 2000. Zero Station was born quite literally the same month that our first child was born. Y2K was upon us and the future was unwritten. Twenty-five years later, we are still offering thoughtfully curated exhibitions highlighting artists from Maine and beyond, placing work with collectors, and professional framing artwork of all kinds.
We set out to make an independent arts space that also provided quality handmade frames to artists and collectors. Intentionally seeking ways to alienate curious non-artists by being a ‘white cube’ gallery, we cultivated a warm and welcome environment for all. Some of the artists whose work we exhibited back in 2000 are among our good friends today and we feature their work in current exhibitions and in the Zero Station flat files.
“We” have been an incubator hub and home to numerous non-profits and creative souls in need of space. Past collaborators include CitizenSalon, Curious City (the seed organization of I’m Your Neighbor books), The Resilience Hub, The Sunrise Movement, Hi Tiger, Prism Analog, among others.
We don’t underestimate or take for-granted the pleasure and privilege that comes from meeting the people that walk through our doors. We are so thankful for our customers, artists, and especially our community.
ABOUT KEITH FITZGERALD
Keith Fitzgerald is an artist in all that he does, especially when it comes to presentation of art work. Highly detail oriented, Keith assists many artists with professionally presenting their work in galleries and museums across the country. He is generous beyond measure with his time and advice as an innovative problem solver. His PSBL light installations were reviewed by Jorge Arrango in the Portland Press Herald which can still be read here.
Jeanne and Keith’s work at the gallery are a manifestation of their love for the arts.
In their spare time, they wrangle a much too large vegetable garden, read, paint, meander across Maine to the mountains/lakes. Their two children Alex and Ellis are semi-launched creative entrepreneurs as well.