by Michael Krapovicky | photography by Mark Turcotte

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Early Artwork

Amy Stacey Curtis

Amy Stacey Curtis’ penchant for creativity, art, and spectacle began at an early age. In 1993, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from the University of Maine in Orono and her Master’s in Art and Psychology from Vermont College of Norwich University.

She is an award-winning visual artist whose exhibitions have been shown internationally and at some of the most prestigious galleries in New England. She has received numerous accolades, including two Individual Artist Fellowships from the Maine Arts Commission in 2005 and 2017 and a National Endowment for the Arts from the Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation in 2017.

“From 1998 to 2016, I created large-scale interactive installation art in nine abandoned mill spaces throughout Maine,” states Curtis. “The installations were accompanied by instructions; the audience challenged to perpetuate and complete my concepts in specific ways.”

Her first and ninth solo biennial exhibits, EXPERIENCE and MEMORY, presented in 2000 and 2016 respectively, were installed throughout 30,000-square-foot spaces in Lewiston’s Bates Mill Complex. Photos of her large installation exhibitions can be viewed at amystaceycurtis.com.

Mystery Illness

After completing her 18-year project, Curtis was creating new interactive displays when, in early March 2017, she was stricken by an unspecified malady.

“My brain was showing me horrific repetitive non-stop images of my suicide,” recalls Curtis. “I lost control of all the muscles in my body, including my face, debilitating my speech.”

Her condition deteriorated until she was left unable to walk. Curtis then endured misdiagnoses, experimental treatments, and drugs over a span of six years.

“After two psychiatric wards, eight antipsychotic drugs, and 15 months of schizophrenia-diagnosing doctors, it was finally determined that my brain was damaged by Lyme disease,” reveals Curtis. “I never knew I had Lyme disease and so was never treated for it.”

Once a proper prognosis was reached, Curtis was treated with much more success. She regained control of much of her speech and body through lengthy occupational therapy.

“After progressing from wheelchair to walker to cane, finally back to my feet, I was still struggling with speech and movement disorders,” maintains Curtis. “I was still fighting to talk.”

It would take two more years for her psychosis to leave completely. However, she still has many debilitating symptoms.

Uku-pational Therapy

Curtis intuited that if she learned a skill that required her to do multiple things at the same time, she might build new neural pathways and continue to heal. As with driving a car, singing while accompanying oneself on an instrument requires numerous simultaneous physical interactions. The skills necessary for playing the ukulele became an effective treatment for her infirmities.

“Within a week of playing the ukulele, my speech and movement returned to “normal-for-me,” except in environments where my brain is overstimulated,” avows Curtis. “I practice an hour every day as self-prescribed occupational therapy.”

Monday Stage

Amy Stacey Curtis

Curtis ventured out to a local LA open mic and found that her performance and story moved people deeply. Her palsy, which would occasionally manifest while in conversation, completely disappears as she presents a song. Her ukulele playing sparsely lays a foundation for her wide vocal range, and she seems to have no limit when it comes to genre. Curtis has a talent for a minimalist take on covers, drawing from disco, heavy metal, and 80s hair rock. An Alice in Chains rocker finds its way next to a Tori Amos ballad. Curtis generally can find a laugh with her audience that contrasts with her emotive presentation.

Curtis now appears nearly weekly at the Monday Night Open Mike at Fast Breaks Restaurant in Lewiston and has found many friendships and adherents.

“My goal is five ‘new-to-me’ cover songs every week,” says Curtis. “I also share my story and songs on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, where I get a lot of requests.”

One of Curtis’ videos on TikTok has over 600,000 views.

Passion Projects

Curtis’ passion extends to writing. She is currently seeking representation for her third full-length book, a memoir with the working title “How My Brain Saved My Life (Twice).” Her previous larger books, “Women, Trauma & Visual Expression” (2005) and “Nine Solo Biennials” (2020), can be accessed through her website, along with a few smaller publications connected to her art.

Curtis is also half of a vocal and electronic improvisational duo with Jessy Kendall called jessyandamy, which makes free-form music in the moment. In 2024, they released their fourth album, “orange moon.”

“I love how the process of letting go – not knowing what will happen as we perform – is making my voice do things I never would’ve guessed it could do,” says Curtis.

Curtis hosts a Music Circle at LA Arts every second Tuesday from 6 to 8 pm.

“Whether true beginner or professional, whether acoustic or electric, whether a soloist or group – bring music to share!” entreats Curtis. “Songwriters, cover artists, experimental, improvisational, or just people trying to figure it out – all are welcome!”

New Avenues

Curtis is actively pursuing new avenues for performance, both in-person and virtually. She seeks to raise awareness about how untreated viruses can impact the brain and change attitudes and stigma surrounding mental health. She is finding more and more people who can relate to her struggles.

After giving over 300 talks as a practicing artist, Curtis shares her story and songs at various events, such as community rehab centers, open mics, and social media platforms.

“I really found a community of survivors — it’s been so helpful,” asserts Curtis. “Reaching more people is my focus.”

Amy Stacey Curtis
Lewiston | amystaceycurtis.com