home of the harriet p. henry center for the book THE NEWSLETTER OF THE HUMANITIES COUNCIL | SUMMER 2015

1 Witnessing a Ripple Effect A letter from our executive director 2 Words and the Divide A Veteran’s experience facilitating Veterans Book Group 4 Think & Drink Disruption at SPACE Gallery 6 Murder and Mystery in Maine An insider’s look at creating a series 8 Hugh Manatee Touring Maine libraries 10 Selected Grants 14 Communicating Climate Change Fall Humanities Forum

left to right: “Conical Basket with Sweet- grass Lid” by Clare Gabriel, “Point Basket with Ash and Braided Sweetgrass” by Gal Frey, “Katahdin Cat’s Head Basket” by Fred Tomah, and “Fancy Basket” by Clara Keezer — on display at the recent Maine Indian Basketry Exhibition at Maine Fiberarts in Topsham (see grant on page 15). photo: kate webber The Maine Humanities Council, a statewide non-profit organization,

uses the humanities — literature, history, philosophy,

and culture — as a tool for positive change in Maine communities.

Our programs and grants encourage critical thinking and

conversations across social, economic, and cultural boundaries.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS STAFF Chair Joyce B. Hedlund Hayden Anderson, PhD Patricia B. Bixel Newburgh Executive Director Bangor [email protected] Reza Jalali Vice-chair Falmouth Trudy Hickey Daniel P. Gunn Office and Grants Manager Laura Lindenfeld New Sharon [email protected] Orono Treasurer Leah Kuehn Erica Quin-Easter David Richards Program Assistant Caribou Skowhegan [email protected] Liam Riordan Diane Magras Bangor Victoria Bornheimer Director of Development Cumberland Rick Speer [email protected] Lewiston Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko Gina Mitchell A LETTER Mount Desert Maryanne C. Ward Program Officer Pittston [email protected] Paul Doiron Karen Myrick Camden Peter B. Webster Administrative Assistant FROM THE South Portland Stephen Hayes [email protected] Falmouth Nicole Rancourt Program Officer EXECUTIVE [email protected] Anne Schlitt Assistant Director DIRECTOR [email protected] Liz Sinclair Director of Programs [email protected] CALL FOR NOMINATIONS Julia Walkling Program Officer The Maine Humanities Council [email protected] seeks to expand its list of potential Ian Watkins nominees to fill future openings on its Development and Communications Assistant Board of Directors. The Council looks [email protected] for a wide geographic representation and range of civic and/or academic experience. To notify the Council of your interest, please send a letter and a résumé to:  Governance Committee Chair Maine Humanities Council 674 Brighton Avenue Portland, ME 04102-1012

The Maine Humanities Council is an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Editor: Diane Magras Design: Lori Harley Witnessing a Ripple Effect We’ve seen some exciting developments The story just gets more special from This year’s program is on Communicating at the MHC during the last couple there. In July, we received yet another Climate Change, offered in partner- of months, with some terrific new call from the Library of Congress. They ship with the Gulf of Maine Research partnerships and programming ready wanted to fly Gabe down to Washing- Institute, the Portland Museum to launch, and some tried-and-true ton, DC, in September to meet Walter of Art, and the Margaret Chase Smith programs reaching notable achievements. Isaacson, who would be presenting Policy Center. I’ll give you just one example. at the National Book Festival. Gabe I hope to see you at the Forum or Letters About Literature is a nationwide would read his letter to Mr. Isaacson at another Council program this competition for students K-12, offered and Mr. Isaacson would respond fall — where you can experience your by the Library of Congress. Students to the letter in person — all in front own MHC ripple effect. are asked to read a book, poem, or of the National Book Festival audience. speech and write a letter to the author (By the time you receive this issue, (living or dead) describing how what all of that will have happened. Check they read has affected their life. out our website for photos, and also As the State of Maine’s affiliate for the letter that got it all started.) of the Library of Congress Center The MHC is in the business of for the Book, the MHC coordinates helping people connect with the power Hayden Anderson the annual competition for students of ideas. Gabe’s experience with Letters Executive Director throughout Maine with the generous About Literature is a prime example financial support of the David Royte about how ideas can change lives. Fund. Winning letters at the state level We see this all over the state: in our are sent to the Library of Congress reading and discussion programs for to be entered into national competition. Veterans (read more about that in this The winner of the Middle School newsletter); or for domestic violence Division in Maine this year was prevention agencies (who tell us that Gabriel Ferris, a student from Water- our facilitated discussions help them ville Junior High. Gabriel wrote his connect with other professionals and letter to Walter Isaacson, author of the also with their clients); or for libraries, recent biography Steve Jobs. “Is excess who tell us how their communities a requirement for extreme success?” are being strengthened by new conver- Gabe asked in his letter. “Your story sations, new perspectives, and new leaves me wondering if this is the audiences. case — and struggling with the balance The MHC envisions the communities between still wanting to do something of Maine transformed by the power great while still being someone great.” and pleasure of ideas. We advance Fast-forward a couple months. We that vision by creating opportunities get a call from the Library of Congress for Mainers to come together to read, saying that their judges, too, had been think, talk, and share. We want you impressed by Gabe’s letter. Gabe was to be part of it. Check out our website named the national winner for the Middle for programs in your area, and flip over School Division; only the second time to the back of this newsletter to read that a Maine student has won the about the upcoming Dorothy Schwartz national prize. Forum on Art, Science, and the Humanities.

674 Brighton Avenue Portland, Maine 04102-1012 T 207-773-5051 F 207-773-2416 [email protected] mainehumanities.org 1 WORDS AND THE DIVIDE: A VETERAN’S EXPERIENCE FACILITATING VETERANS BOOK GROUP

JEFF SYCHTERZ

In the Gettysburg Address, Abraham that mere words cannot last long operations. So we had a wide range Lincoln questions whether words have in human memory; he insists that of ages and experiences represented the power to give meaning to the they won’t be remembered at all. at the table. Meanwhile, those assem- world. He argues that the company Yet over 150 years later, members bled also held different attitudes toward assembled at a Gettysburg cemetery of a Veterans Book Group sat around a the written word, from members who cannot consecrate the ground because table on a mild April evening in Bangor, were, as one put it, “not big readers,” “the brave men, living and dead, who Maine, and discussed Lincoln’s most to others who read all five sessions- struggled here, have consecrated it, famous speech. It might seem strange worth of readings in the first week — far above our poor power to add or that a book group sponsored by the and wanted more. detract.” He then goes on to suggest Maine Humanities Council would It was a productive group to wrestle select a reading that so memorably with Lincoln’s concerns about what questions the power of words, but the words can do for us and how they shape theme of the book group was “The our memories of military and wartime Stories We Tell,” and Lincoln’s speech service. The members were friendly and was one of a dozen readings that talkative, and they didn’t shy away from explored how we remember, represent, difficult or controversial issues. In fact, memorialize and talk about service what I appreciated most about the in the armed forces. group was their openness and curiosity The Veterans in the room were about other points of view. If one a diverse group; they represented three member expressed a very different branches of the military and a mix opinion about an issue, other members of peacetime and wartime service, from didn’t defend themselves or argue their a self-described REMF (Rear Echelon points; instead they wanted to hear more. Mother F—er) to combat Veterans This curiosity led to some important of Iraq and Vietnam, and even revelations. For example, as we discussed a Veteran of pre-Vietnam the Gettysburg Address and the issue Cold War covert of memorialization, one member asked

2 MHC the group, “Do you like to march in removed from our service, the more to understand, and Veterans off the Memorial Day parades?” As we polled we began to identify as Veterans. hook from needing to explain.” those around the table, we discovered Lincoln’s speech at Gettysburg As Klay puts it, this divide between a divide: some members insisted on ultimately argues that the spoken word words and action has dire political and marching as a point of pride, while is too ephemeral to “hallow” a place. This social consequences. But it can have others expressed varying degrees of sense of the sacred was raised by many personal consequences, too. I attended discomfort with participating in such of the texts we discussed over the ten the book group as an academic facilita- events. As we each shared our motiva- weeks. Even in our moment of discovery tor, but I am a Veteran as well. I have tions, we moved away from the public, as we discussed marching in parades, struggled for years to reconcile these national meaning of military service we recognized that our own personal two very different sides of my identity. and began to wrestle with its personal sense of the sacred comes as a function After all, in the way that America meaning. In that space, we discovered of time and distance. Meanwhile, words frames the Culture Wars, military that this ambiguity toward memorial play a key role in demarcating that sacred Veteran and college English professor celebrations actually revealed a deeper space, whether it is a patch of hallowed represent polar opposites. In the book similarity of attitude toward our own ground or a personal point of pride. group, however, I discovered that other military experiences. Coming to the book group — engaging Veterans share the same struggle to We discovered that most of us around with these texts and with each other — bridge a divided identity. It’s a division the table shared a common timeline, was a way of connecting to and making that has been formed by the way that but that each of us were at a different sense of our own service. Americans talk about military service. point in that timeline. Everyone in the This issue of service and identity is However, programs like Veterans room had already left the military, one I have thought a lot about. When Book Group are closing that divide, some longer ago than others. However, he poses words against action, Lincoln programs which bring the worlds independent of branch of service or implies a gap between the military, who of literature and the military together “…believing war is beyond words is an abrogation of responsibility — it lets civilians off the hook from trying to understand, and Veterans off the hook

from needing to explain.” - Phil Klay, Veteran and author of Redeployment

combat experience, most of us had act on the battlefield, and civilians, to discuss what is sacred to the world, felt very ambivalent about our service who speak once the battle is done. This to the nation, and, finally, to us. immediately after getting out. Many divide is how we often frame military members explained that they did not service: an experiential gap that divides want to go to military events, talk one group of Americans from another. about the military, or even to identify As it is sometimes put, you can’t under- as Veterans in the years just after their stand unless you’ve been there. In one of Jeff Sychterz teaches English literature service. However, as time passed, our readings, Phil Klay argues that such and composition at the University of Maine we tended to think more about our a divide is dangerous for democracy at Augusta. He is a U.S. Navy Veteran, years in uniform and the role that they because “believing war is beyond words and he facilitated the Maine Humanities played, and continue to play, in our is an abrogation of responsibility — it Council Veterans Book Group at University history and identity. The farther lets civilians off the hook from trying of Maine at Augusta in Bangor this spring.

SUMMER 15 3 Shay Stewart-Bouley, Executive Director of Community Change, Inc.; Darren Ranco, Chair of the Native American Programs at University of Maine at Orono; and Catherine Anderson, local educator, essayist, poet, and blogger, led us in a discussion that sought to examine and challenge the role of white privilege in our society while critiquing the ubiquity of whiteness in our popular and media culture. We knew when we chose this topic that it would likely generate a great deal of interest: race and racism have domi- nated the news and media this year, and, Speaking out, speaking up and being heard. photo: lauren kennedy photography in response, the Portland community has seen a surge of activism around THINK From book discussion groups to public racial justice issues. Still, we were programs about film or television, pleasantly surprised by the overwhelm- & many MHC programs revolve around ing turnout, with 120 people. a concrete text that can be read or Our moderator and panelists led us DRINK: viewed. Think & Drink, our happy-hour in a discussion that dealt directly with discussion series hosted by SPACE the complexity of racism and racial DISRUPTION Gallery in Portland, takes a different violence in our historical and current approach. Here, conversation itself moments, while considering the steps BY GINA MITCHELL becomes the central text, as participants we can take, individually, as a commu- gather to consider a range of perspec- nity, and nationally, to work toward tives on a central topic before adding racial justice. When controversial or their thoughts to the mix. potentially offensive viewpoints arose, Topics for the 2015 season (January

through June) were diverse, engaging, Deep listening, a signature of the break-out groups. photo: diane hudson and at times difficult; sessions on race and in particular pushed audi- ences to grapple with issues that are pressing, personal, and controversial. Despite the challenging subject matter, the growing popularity of the series, combined with the responses of our participants, underscored the impor- tance of and desire for this type 2015 THINK & DRINK THEMES of community dialogue. Disrupting Whiteness We selected “Disruption” as the Disrupting Authority overarching theme for the 2015 pro- Disrupting Art gram, and our opening session focused Disrupting Gender on “Disrupting Whiteness.” Panelists

4 MHC Every participant has a voice. photo: christina perez

panelists engaged with those opinions Though conversations about gen- this type of gender discourse for the while redirecting the conversation der — particularly gender variance and first time. to a productive place. Their patience transgender issues — have become Aware of these challenges, our and generosity resulted in a community increasingly common in popular culture panelists and facilitator worked to make conversation that stayed on track while and mainstream discourse, they remain the conversation accessible to folks who providing rich insights. Participants complicated and at times tricky to wanted to expand their understanding reported that the event allowed them navigate. More than any of the other of the issues at hand, while still main- to think about the issues from a range events, this final installment encour- taining a safe and engaging space of perspectives, challenged previously aged us to examine the barriers that can for folks who were more experienced held assumptions, and maintained make discussion of this topic difficult. with these issues. Panelist helped a safe space for a variety of opinions Prior to the event, we spoke with our define terms and encouraged clarifying and experiences. panelists and facilitator about a problem- questions from the audience. Mean- Like our discussion of race in atic dynamic that can emerge in public while, the recent visibility of transgen- “Disrupting Whiteness,” our final conversations about gender. On one hand, der celebrities such as Laverne Cox and session in June, “Disrupting Gender,” there are many folks in the Portland Janet Mock provided entry points to the proved both challenging and instructive. community who are quite well versed discussion. The panelists encouraged in issues of gender and gender variance. participants to think about the benefits

Deep listening, a signature of the break-out groups. photo: diane hudson These people bring a wealth of knowl- and advantages of this kind of visibility, edge, language, and personal experience while still drawing attention to the very to the table. While their perspectives real kinds of oppression that continue are invaluable, their knowledge can be to face our transgender communities. intimidating for others who are just All in all, the 2015 Think & Drink beginning to think and talk about these surpassed our hopes, both in terms of issues. Terms like “” (a person the quality of our discussion leaders and whose self-identity conforms with the in the insightfulness of our participants. gender they were assigned at birth) We are eagerly anticipating next year’s and “genderqueer” (a person who does series, which, taking cues from the not subscribe to conventional gender positive response to this year’s sessions distinctions but identifies with neither, on race and gender, will continue both, or a combination of male and to engage directly with questions female ) can be confusing and of identity and with pressing social alienating for people who are entering justice issues.

SUMMER 15 5 MURDER AND MYSTERY IN MAINE: WHY STATE-BASED MYSTERIES LEAD IN OUR LOCAL LIBRARIES (AND AN INSIDER’S LOOK AT CREATING A SERIES)

BY DIANE MAGRAS

An abandoned trail leads deep into the it that much easier to imagine or inject recommendations. Throughout, woods, browned pine needles softening ourselves into the story. We all know they thought about their audience. every step. Roots lie half-exposed. The that setting can be an important Greenville is known among our library woods alternate between dark and character in a book, and it brings the programming partners as a community light, the latter becoming less and less book home to us in an enjoyable way where summer residents and year-round frequent. A sense of isolation descends when it is a locale known to us.” residents mix happily, often developing upon the walker. This summer, the MHC launched long friendships; many year-round This is Maine, and it could also be “Mysteries by Maine Authors,” a series residents were once seasonal visitors the start of a scene in a mystery novel. in our reading and discussion program themselves. The team thought of this Who last went down the twisting, for libraries, Let’s Talk About It. While group when choosing their books, shadowed path? Is that sound just the the launch is important, we also want taking care to select titles that would, trees creaking, or is there someone to share the process by which we and as Linda describes, “highlight the drawing near in the branch-cluttered our library partners created the series. people from all walks of life who call dusk? Who saw what happened in that MHC library programming depends Maine ‘home’” and were also “entertain- little clearing by the trickling water- on close partnerships with Maine’s ing, meaningful, and stimulating.” fall? Is it bigger than the woods alone? libraries. To create this new series, we Linda added, “We were aware that Maine — with its forests, lakes, consulted with librarians all over the many of our participants have chosen mountains, and shorelines; with its state. We asked what kind of series the Moosehead area as their [home or] changing urban centers and distant libraries might want — their staff, after place-away-from-home, as opposed rural towns; and with the conflicts that all, are most familiar with their patrons’ to the coast.” are central to many communities — reading trends — and then requested That will give you a hint: our poses the perfect setting in a mystery two partners to build the series with us: stunning coastline and its towns, the novel and, in fact, often does. Our Linda Wohlforth from the Shaw Public most frequent setting for novels set in state and its natural resources have Library in Greenville and Jeanne Maine (especially by authors who don’t been a recurring character in mystery Benedict from the Henry D. Moore live in Maine), won’t be stealing the novels over the years, forming a Library in Steuben. show in this series. character beloved by readers. Both library partners spent last But we won’t ignore the coast entirely. Not surprisingly, Maine mysteries fall and winter immersing themselves Jeanne in Steuben, director of a small are one of the most popular genres in a long list of mysteries set in Maine. but very important library on the among library patrons in this state. It was not a simple task. northern coast, recommended books As Jeff Cabral at the McArthur The Greenville team, including with a big-picture view that might Public Library in Biddeford puts it, Linda, library staff, and steadfast have included the coast but were sure “It’s human nature that sometimes we participants (this library has been to depict Maine not just as a backdrop wish our lives were a bit more exciting holding MHC programming for over but as a true element of the story. than they are currently. Having a a dozen years) reviewed a “long list” “I was looking for books where the familiar setting and reading a mystery of books and then held a discussion Maine setting was an important part set in places we live, love, or visit make to determine the “short list” and their of the story and felt it was important

6 MHC that the books had some relevant issue(s) If you join “Mysteries by Maine that could be discussed in addition Authors” at the Henry D. Moore to the who-done-it part of the mystery. Library in Steuben this fall, expect Controversial issues are great at sparking to be “challenged by the subject matter conversation — so mysteries that touch while enjoying reading a Maine on subjects like drug use, homelessness, mystery.” And Jeanne thinks you’ll immigrants, poaching, etc. should make be hooked, too. for some lively discussions!” And if you joined or know some- Jeanne had fun being involved with one who joined the Shaw Library in the initial stages of selection (several, Greenville this summer, expect a report she reports, stood out as good choices). of an avid discussion from a variety And the result? of perspectives. Linda told us at print “I think some great books were time that she was looking forward selected,” Jeanne said. “I expect that to it. “Might I add, it will be a mystery many who attend the series will go on to me as to what develops.” ”MYSTERIES to read all the other books these authors Our two series-founding partners have written if they haven’t already.” will have been the first libraries to hold BY MAINE AUTHORS” Review the book list at right and “Mysteries by Maine Authors.” We see what you think: do these mysteries are thrilled to now include it as part SERIES LIST fulfill the following? of our ongoing Let’s Talk About It series, 1. Mysteries that will hook a reader, open to all libraries statewide. Paul Doiron, The Poacher’s Son sometimes by an author whom readers have probably not read. Gerry Boyle, Potshot 2. Mysteries that don’t define Maine David Crossman, as the coast, but don’t forget about A Show of Hands that part of Maine, either. Kate Flora, 3. Mysteries that take a community’s And Grant You Peace issues to build the who-done-it, Jennie Bentley, or use a Maine setting to depict Mortar and Murder a major national issue.

SUMMER 15 7 to spend the morning — a blessing that could get some hints (helpful in a state should never be overlooked. that has 266 libraries). We are proud of our library partners. We weren’t really sure what to expect We wanted to celebrate them and from all of this. Would the rest of the showcase what’s inside their walls. world think this was as great as we did? We envisioned that in the course of this As soon as we started to hear back from game, librarians would have a chance the sites that Hugh had reached, we HUGH MANATEE: to share the beautiful spaces and active knew we didn’t have to worry. The programs they’ve worked so hard to librarians went all-out, and the photos TOURING create. The MHC would be able to came pouring in. We watched as Hugh reconnect with old friends and partners, joined in story hour, played Mahjong MAINE LIBRARIES and make some new ones. It was also with retirees, hid in the marine mam- an opportunity to give all of the libraries mal section of bookshelves, donned BY KATE WEBBER involved a humorous public face and glasses to read philosophical texts, and show the silliness that might not always enjoyed an ocean view through binocu- Not every stuffed animal you meet is up be evident behind the circulation desk. lars. Some librarians provided hints for the challenge of promoting statewide Within two days of offering “Where about library history and local points library connections. We were skeptical are the Hugh Manatees in Maine?” ourselves, until we met Hugh. The on the MHC website, 45 libraries had Maine Humanities Council has long applied to host Hugh. The list was a had “Hugh Manatee” as an informal diverse one, ranging from large public mascot (what bookworm can resist libraries at the center of town to small a good pun?), but over this past winter, school libraries. Even the Maine Hugh became more than a fun name. Historical Society’s Brown Research We devised an online game that would Library signed up. The libraries were send our manatee buddy to different spread out across all 16 of Maine’s libraries across the state. We called counties. We ordered four stuffed it “Where are the Hugh Manatees manatees from Gund, stocked up on in Maine?” (Go ahead and groan.) postage, and set to work coordinating Maine’s libraries are incredible. Hugh’s travel plans. Their librarians can adjust in one The game worked as follows: afternoon from working with cutting- librarians took pictures of Hugh in edge technology — a 3D printer, for different locations around their library, example — to helping someone find sometimes in front of a unique statue information in an old town record book. or architectural feature, sometimes They help patrons apply for jobs, in front of a piece of artwork, often complete online degrees, interacting with patrons and librarians. find health insurance, Librarians sent the photos to the MHC, and gain access to and we posted them on our website and Veteran benefits. social media pages. At that point the Sometimes public got involved — people around the libraries the state guessed which library the of interest. In one poignant scene, just provide photos were taken in. Our website Hugh stared into the face of a toy a warm, provided a map of all the participating hippopotamus as they stood in front safe space locations so that the savvy Hugh-guesser of the book Are You My Mother?

8 MHC Hugh Manatee was a hit online. over the course of the game. People across the country stumbled That’s a lot of work from one little across the project and voiced their manatee. None of this would have been appreciation, even if they couldn’t possible if it weren’t for the crowd hazard a guess. Someone who saw the of people who heard about a silly photos from the Carrabassett Valley game and jumped right on Public Library wrote, “It’s a beautiful board. The MHC is grateful library. I want to go see it in person to Maine’s librarians, who now!” Over the course of the six-month go above and beyond the game, the Hugh posts received 113 call of duty every day. re-tweets and 121 favorites on Twitter. We can’t wait for Hugh He was even more popular on Face- Manatee’s next book, pulling in 253 shares, 526 likes, adventure. and reaching a total of 26,378 views. All of our participating libraries had their own Facebook pages, and many shared the photos with their patrons

left to right, photos courtesy of henry d. moore library, steuben; rockland public library; springvale public library; patten free library

SUMMER 15 9 SELECTED GRANTS: BANGOR $1,000 One Today — A Day

JANUARY THROUGH | with Poet-Laureate Richard Blanco A visit by Maine poet Richard Blanco last April helped Bangor High School and the Bangor JULY 2015 Public Library celebrate Poetry Month in a big way. Blanco met with creative writing students, who shared their own writing with the poet The Maine Humanities Council’s and learned about his creative process. He also spoke with students from all curriculum areas grant program assists non-profit about his life growing up in a Cuban-American organizations in Maine develop public immigrant family, about becoming a renowned projects that incorporate one or more poet laureate, and about his views on humanities disciplines. We’re particu- current social issues. larly interested in supporting projects To complete the day, Blanco held a reading that are collaborative, stimulate and discussion followed meaningful community dialogue, by a reception at attract diverse audiences, are partici- Bangor Public Library, engaging and delight- patory and engaging, and invite ing the community. discovery of the humanities in inter- Bangor esting and exciting ways. These pages High School and Bangor highlight some of our recent grants. � Public Library

top to bottom: Richard Blanco in front of an attentive crowd at the Bangor Library, photo: keith eaton; Students take the opportunity to ask questions after a presentation at Bangor High School, photo: helen zhang; Blanco in his native Maine woods. photo: joyce tenneson

STAY APPRISED OF MAINE- BATH AND HUMANITIES- RELATED CURIOSITIES $300 Voices of the Sea OF ALL KINDS, INCLUDING | Last March, this series of performances NEWS AND EVENTS! featured men and women who have made a living on the sea, capturing the spirit and culture of Maine’s fishermen and those who work on the water through their unique original poetry and song. Imagery of a life working the sea accompanied the performances, Follow us on Twitter adding a visual element to events. @ MaineHumanities Maine Maritime Museum, Bath

Like us on Facebook �

Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .ai Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .ai Maine Humanities Council

Poet Jack Merrill reading his work. photo courtesy of maine maritime museum

10 MHC BOWDOINHAM

$1,000 Bay Clay, Bay Brick, Bay Pottery Visitors examine displays and artifacts at the | The “Bay Clay, Bay Brick, Bay Pottery” exhibition featured hands-on workshops as well as lectures exhibition opening, including a wooden mold about local clay and its history and artistic potential. One workshop involved creating with local clay, for brick-making (center). photos courtesy another used clay as a literary metaphor in writing, and talks on geology and archaeology explored merrymeeting arts center prehistoric to colonial pottery and brick-making in the Merrymeeting Bay area. Merrymeeting Arts Center, Bowdoinham Historical Society, Bowdoinham

� FORT KENT LEWISTON/AUBURN

$6,250 Acadian Rebellion $7,500 Maine is Home Profile Project | | Acadian Rebellion, an audio documentary, tells the story of a dramatic 1971 strike at Fraser Paper Welcoming Maine created five multimedia in Madawaska, Maine, close to the Canada border. Interviews with direct participants, historians, profile stories highlighting positive cross- and other experts unfold a dramatic moment in Maine history: a moment of civil disobedience and cultural relationships in the Lewiston/Auburn violence that pitted local Francophone Acadian workers against Anglophone company managers area. The project aimed to bridge social from Maine and Canada. boundaries between new Mainers and their native-born neighbors through interactive University of Maine at Fort Kent, Fort Kent storytelling, thereby creating a more welcoming climate. � LEWISTON Welcoming Maine, Portland

$1,000 Uncovering History: Sean Dorsey Dance, The Missing Generation | � This summer, the Bates Dance Festival hosted nationally recognized transgender choreographer and activist Sean Dorsey in a series of community workshops, lectures, radio interviews, PORTLAND and performances that focused on the history of the AIDS epidemic as told through the voices of survivors. Bates Dance Festival, Lewiston

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$7,500 Early Maine

| Photography: 1840 to 1870 Within a year of the invention of the daguerreo- type in 1839, photography found its way to Maine, creating a lasting record of the appear- ance of the state’s people and places during the mid-nineteenth century. From September 2015 through October 2016, Maine Historical Society photo: lydia daniller will showcase its extensive holdings of early Maine photographs, which vividly illustrate life in the state during the period leading up to the Civil War. Maine Historical Society, Portland

�American Revolution veteran Conrad Hayer at 103; daguerreotype, 1852. courtesy maine historical society

SUMMER 15 11 PORTLAND Sgt. Francis J. Pictou (1933 – 2011), USMC, Korean War, 1950 – 55, Tactical Air Control: $1,000 Representing the Irish Troubles on Screen | Crossed Canada/U.S. border to enlist. In early September, Irish documentary filmmaker Maurice photo courtesy of aroostook band Fitzpatrick gave a series of workshops at USM and other of micmacs southern Maine colleges on feature and documentary films made about the Troubles in Northern Ireland (1969 – 1998). He discussed the politics, aesthetics and ethics of these films, including his own BBC documentaries The Boys of St. Columb’s and Translations Revisited. University of Southern Maine, Portland Furthering the discussion with � filmmaker Maurice Fitzpatrick (at right) at USM. photo: jeanne curren

$7,445 Victoria Mansion Fashion and Textile Exhibit | A six-month-long exhibit has given Victoria Mansion the chance to create programming around the connections between fashion, industry, and cultural change in the Victorian period. Partnering with students from the Maine College of Art, who created their own renditions of classic Victorian patterns and objects, the project also included lectures, trips, demonstrations, and other public programs, running from May through October. Victoria Mansion, Portland

� photo courtesy of victoria mansion

PRESQUE ISLE

$1,000 Time Remembered — Time Forgotten $1,000 Micmac Veterans: | The Choral Art Society presented “Time | Duty, Honor, and Culture Remembered — Time Forgotten” last May, As representatives of a long and proud warrior featuring the New England premiere tradition within Micmac culture, Micmac veterans of Robert S. Cohen’s “Alzheimer’s Stories” endured prejudice and hardships to serve for chorus, soloists, and instruments. a country that was sometimes not their own. A pre-performance panel discussion This photographic exhibit to be hosted by the addressed the positive impact of the arts Aroostook Band of Micmacs will feature tribal on Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. members who served in the United States military during the 20th and 21st centuries. The Choral Art Society, Portland Photos will be accompanied by their subjects’ stories as well as information about the Micmac � culture and their deep tribal ties to a wide range of military skills and activities. The exhibit will be held this November in the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library art gallery, with other scheduled talks anticipated in surrounding historical societies and museums throughout Maine. Aroostook Band of Micmacs, Presque Isle

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photos: russ burleigh

12 MHC SEARSPORT

TOPSHAM

$1,300 Maine Indian Basketry Exhibition | Cyanotypes made from found items and Two grants supported an exhibition this spring from PMM glass negatives. photo courtesy through early summer of distinctive contempo- of penobscot marine museum rary and historic Maine Indian basketry at Maine Fiberarts in Topsham. Curated by Penobscot basket maker Theresa Secord and Hudson $800 Cyanotype Workshops Museum Director Gretchen Faulkner, the exhibit and the Maine Frontier Screening | included a slide presentation, talks, a basket- During the Penobscot Marine Museum’s making workshop, a children’s program, and a season-long celebration of the history of wealth of related information about Wabanaki photography, this project screened “The Maine basketry. Funding supported the exhibition, Frontier: Through the Lens of Isaac Walton programming, and talks, as well as the compan- Simpson” with a companion multimedia ion exhibit publication. presentation by filmmaker Sumner McKane, as well as cyanotype-making workshops. Maine Fiberarts, Topsham The project delved into the character and the work of Isaac Walton Simpson — photographer, � blacksmith, musician, woodsman, and more, whose photographs of his family, friends, and landscapes depict the strong character of from top left: northern Maine at the turn of the 20th century. “Alewife Barrel Basket” Penobscot Marine Museum, Searsport by George Neptune; “Urchin Basket” by Jeremy Frey and � “Fancy Point Basket” by Ganessa Bryant Frey; antique baskets from collection of Arlene Morris, Brunswick; “Nested Baskets, Butterfly Weave” by Fred Tomah. photos: kate webber

YORK

$1,000 Emma Lewis Coleman: Maine | From May to October, Museums of Old York is presenting an exhibit of photographs by Emma Lewis Coleman (1853 – 1942) including images of local tradespeople, now-absent buildings, and historical landscapes. VINALHAVEN A Boston-born historian and writer, Coleman $1,000 Picture Writing: In Island Voices | visited Maine in the “Picture Writing: In Island Voices” sought 1880s for the first time to foster literacy through art among and took many photo- students grades 3 through 8. The founder graphs while here. Her of this method, Beth Olshansky, spent work of this period four days last spring at the Vinalhaven combined European School working with students and modeling pastoral and United for teachers how to integrate the use States colonial styles of Picture Writing into their curriculums. during a time when photography was a Partners in Island Education, Vinalhaven relatively new invention in the visual arts. Stringing Apples, 1883; Emma Lewis Coleman, � Photographer; bromide print. museums Four 4th-grade girls avidly write about their paintings, Beth Olshansky Museums of old york collection, museum purchase, talks with a student. photos courtesy of partners in island education of Old York, York 1965, p2011.5.24 �

SUMMER 15 13 MAINE HUMANITIES COUNCIL Home of the Harriet P. Henry Center for the Book

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SCHWARTZ DOROTHY DOROTHY

Communicating Climate Change saturday, october 24, 2015 FEATURING: 9:00 am – 3:45 pm, portland museum of art • Susanne Moser, Director • Jan Piribeck, Professor and Principal Research, of Digital Art and Foundations, Join the Maine Humanities Council, the Portland Museum Susanne Moser Research University of Southern Maine & Consulting; Social Science of Art, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, and the • Michel Droge, Faculty, Research Fellow, Woods Maine College of Art Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center to explore one Institute for the Environment of the most contentious issues of our time. How has public at Stanford University; • Jennifer DePrizio, conversation about climate change evolved over time? Research Associate, University Peggy L. Osher Director of Learning and Interpretation, What cultural and historical factors have shaped its trajectory? of California-Santa Cruz, Institute for Marine Sciences Portland Museum of Art How do scientists, artists, and humanities scholars influence • Andrew Pershing, Chief • Thomas F. Tracy, Philipps the way we understand and talk about climate change? Scientific Officer, Gulf of Maine Professor of Religious Studies, Research Institute Bates College

Richard Estes (United States, born 1932), Beaver Dam Pond, Acadia National Park, registration online: mainehumanities.org 2009, oil on board, 12 3/8 x 29 7/8 inches. Portland Museum of Art, Maine. Anonymous gift, 2014.2 © Richard Estes, courtesy Marlborough Gallery, New York FORUM ON ART, SCIENCE & THE HUMANITIES