E 23: Maine's Creative Community Through Stories, Sound & Music: The Studio Portland (Part I)

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In this episode of Elegant Maine Living, I sit down with John McArthur, one of the owners of The Studio Portland, to talk about how creativity, connection, and community come together in the heart of Maine.

John shares his journey from being a gigging musician to working in tech for 35 years, and then back into the world of sound and music through his son’s career as a composer and sound engineer. Along with his wife Reva Tankle and business partners Amanda and Thorn Dickinson, John took ownership of The Studio Portland in 2024 and has since grown it into a hub for musicians, podcasters, filmmakers, voice actors, and storytellers.

🌟 In this conversation, we explore:

• Why Portland’s creative energy—and even this specific building—matters so much.
• The ways The Studio connects diverse communities: from podcasting and voice acting to singer-songwriter contests, live-stream concerts, and filmmaking.
• How The Studio creates opportunities for emerging artists to showcase their work through high-quality audio and video recordings.
• The role of collaboration, generosity, and connection in Maine’s creative economy—an economy that generates an estimated $1.5 billion annually.

John also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at initiatives like the Society of Creative Pursuits meetups, voice acting workshops, and intimate concerts at The Studio, all designed to help artists share their work and grow their careers.

Whether you’re a musician, podcaster, filmmaker, or simply someone who appreciates Maine’s creative culture, this episode will open your eyes to the talent, sophistication, and community spirit thriving right here in Portland.

Connect with The Studio Portland

• 🌐 Website: thestudioportland.com
  
  
• 📸 Instagram: @thestudioportland
  
  
• 📘 Facebook: The Studio Portland
  
  
• ▶️ YouTube: The Studio Portland
  
  
• 💼 LinkedIn: The Studio Portland

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