WATERVILLE — Actor Ed Harris has pledged $75,000 in support of the community capital campaign for the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, Waterville Creates! announced.
Harris, who worked and lived in Waterville in the early 2000s while filming the HBO movie “Empire Falls,” cited his fondness for the people of Waterville as one reason for the gift.
Waterville Creates! and Colby College are partnering on this transformative project which will create a distinctive hub for visual arts, performing arts, arts education, and film for children and adults. In addition to enhancing Waterville’s reputation as a destination for arts and culture, this new facility will add vitality to downtown Waterville during both the daytime and evening hours and serve as an economic driver for the region.
“Ever since living in Waterville and working on Empire Falls some 15 years ago, the town and the people in it have held a fond place in my heart,” said Harris. “This project is such a great idea and will enrich the lives of so many that I felt compelled and honored to contribute in what I hope is a meaningful way.”
Harris’ gift was pledged in support of the $2 million community capital campaign being led by Waterville Creates! as part of the overall fundraising goal of $18 million for the project. In recognition of his generous support, the box office of the new facility will be named the Ed Harris Box Office.
“Over the 22-year history of the Maine International Film Festival, we have had the honor of welcoming some incredible guests to Waterville, and Ed Harris was certainly one of the most memorable,” said Shannon Haines, president and CEO of Waterville Creates! and past director of the film festival, which presented Harris with its annual Mid-Life Achievement Award in July of 2004. “Ed was not only incredibly generous with his time at the festival, but he also used the opportunity to advocate for Railroad Square Cinema and independent film programming. We are so grateful for his remarkable gift.”
