By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer 

Good ideas start as seeds. Some simply need to be transplanted. 

In Portland, less than 20 years ago, Ian Factor joined forces with an area businessman who was a bit of Renaissance man. They rented a space on Market Street and started Dué, which means two in French.

“We turned it into a two-level, two-purpose space — a bakery and a gallery with an event space. It was blossoming: music events, book signings, poetry readings, opera singers, exhibitions and art openings,” Factor said. “Unfortunately, the landlord kept jacking up the rent. We got forced out.”

But, the idea of what could succeed was planted in Factor’s head. 

“In my mind, that was a wonderful magical experience. I always had an idea that I would like to do that again, but in a space I owned,” he said. 

Now, more than a year after purchasing and renovating the former Craftsworks building, Factor is preparing to invite the public into the new space. 

The grand opening for Factor Fine Art gallery and studio is slated for Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. 

Last year, Factor shifted his creative energy from painting and teaching to renovating the building on Main Street. The renovation process started the same day he closed on the property, which was early May. He’s still not done, he said. 

“I’ve been deeply intimate with every square inch of the building. I know every corner of the basement, the HVAC, the electric, the plumbing, the bell tower, the attic,” he said.  

“Every piece of wood work has been retouched. I got everything to look like it fits in,” he said.

The original wooden floors look patina, but new laminate tile separates the viewing gallery from the studio in this open concept space. In one hallway, the walls are utilized for smaller works of art, creating a second gallery space. Beyond that is his private living space. 

Planned as part of the grand opening, there will be live piano music and catered food and refreshments. Saturday’s grand opening coincideswith Music on Main, which “will be a good cross pollination of creativity. It will be fun,” Factor said.

Transplanting to Bridgton at this point in time seems to be natural and appropriate transition. 

“I wouldn’t have done this project 10 years ago,” he said. “I see a really healthy and creative trajectory happening here. It caught my attention when I was in Oregon making exit strategies.”

CRAFTWORKS ON THE MARKET

A few years ago, Factor was planning his exit strategy from Oregon because he wanted to relocate back to the East Coast, particularly the Lake Region. He sought a space big enough for a gallery, a studio in which to work and teach classes, and to hold community events. Plus, there had to be enough room to live there.

“That was what I decided I was looking for. That would be a really important next step in my life as a painter, as a teacher,” he said. 

“The thing that started the ball rolling. There was a church for sale in Conway. It was a massive building that needed an insane amount of work,” he said. “Two months later, my mom called me and said, ‘Guess what building is for sale? The Craftworks.’ That’s how I heard about it. That is a beautiful building. I cannot afford it. It is too much work. I don’t want a project that big right now,” Factor recalled. 

However, he wanted to return to the Lake Region because that is a place where he found roots when he was still a child. He was born in Boston and grew up northwest of Bean Town.

“My folks had a house on Highland Lake. That is my connection to Bridgton. I’ve been coming to Maine from the time I was 9 or 10 years old. I spent all my summers here. Every weekend during the school year and every holiday, we were here,” he said. “A lot of my childhood friends are from here. A lot of my high school friends I would bring up here. I made a secondary group of friends here in Bridgton,” Factor said. 

“I have old deep connections to this area. Maine has been a huge part of my life,” he said. 

Since living and working in Portland at the beginning of the new century, Factor has taken up residence in Italy and in New York City where he earned his MFA, and in Bend, Oregon, a town that he gravitated toward because of the mountains.

“I love the mountains. I took a fulltime teaching job. I moved out there because I am a mountain biker and hiker and I love Alpine skiing,” he said. 

In essence, he has returned to a region that offers green spaces to do those beloved recreational activities. 

TEACHING ART TO ANY SKILL LEVEL

“Teaching has been a passion of mine for a long time. I’ve taught all over the world: Italy, China, Portugal and the Dominican Republic,” Factor said. 

He has a strong foundation as an art teacher — having done it for 20 years. 

He held the title of assistant professor of art at Western Oregon University. Also, he was the coordinator and lead instructor for the Satellite Campus Art Programs through Central Oregon Community College. 

When Factor renovated the building for Factor Fine Art, he meticulously planned the lighting with studio work and art classes in mind.   

Upon opening the gallery and studio to the public, Factor will offer two classes: watercolor painting and observational drawing. Both classes will take place once a week, on Wednesday. People should register in advance.

“Those classes are open to any skill level. A first day beginner to career artists can take those classes,” he said. 

Unlike the 12-week courses typical of a college enivornment, these first two classes will be five weeks long.  

Then, he will get a feel for what the people want to plan his future workshops and classes. 

“In the late summer and early fall, I will offer two-day workshops. I will poll the public to see what is wanted,” he said. “The two-day workshops might cover such topics as how to photograph your art.”

Factor is confident that he can cater to a class that has many different skill levels.

“After teaching for so many years, and running programs at the community college, in one class, I might have a student who has taken that class three times and a student who had to take class as an elective. The student who took it as an elective doesn’t want to be there and is feeling resentful about having to take it.” 

“I’ve learned how to keep them engaged,” he said “I give very specific instructions so everyone is on their own. It makes it exciting for the students at all different levels. Everyone learns from everyone else.”