ORONO

New England, Canadian arts groups to gather at UMaine

Beginning Wednesday, the Maine Arts Commission will host a three-day conference, “Over the Edge,” for New England and Canadian arts presenters.

The conference follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Gov. John Baldacci and New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham to improve international cultural cooperation. The goal of the conference is to enrich the Northeast culturally, economically and socially.

It aims to gather directors of presenting organizations to build partnerships and share information about booking practices, encourage conversations about bringing arts and culture into business and trade practices, and discuss problems involving artists’ work visas and travel.

The conference will be at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine campus in Orono.

It will feature panel discussions and performances by artists from Canada and New England, and will produce a plan for tackling issues raised.

The conference is free, but those wishing to attend must reserve by calling the Collins Center at 581-1804. Details are available at www.mainearts.com or by calling 287-6719.

ROCKLAND

Works by renowned artists in auction to aid animals

The Humane Society of Knox County concludes its Art for the Animals auction from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Maine Lighthouse Museum.

Kaja Veilleux of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries will call the auction, which includes several pieces of art from widely known Maine artists. Eric Hopkins offers a pencil and graphite drawing of Rockland Harbor, seen from above.

The Farnsworth Art Museum donated a signed giclee reproduction by Will Barnet, “April-Night in Maine.” There are framed prints from Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, as well as dozens of other pieces.

A silent auction begins at 10 a.m. The live auction starts at 1 p.m., preceded by a reception at noon. To view the art and for information, go online to www.humanesocietyofknoxcounty.org.

MILLINOCKET

Artist to work with visitors this month at Baxter park

Baxter State Park has announced that watercolor painter Michael Boardman will be its visiting artist this month.

Boardman, of North Yarmouth, plans to provide park visitors, especially children, the opportunity to see the natural world through an artist’s eyes and learn techniques for drawing wildlife and nature in the park’s wilderness setting.

The program is scheduled for Aug. 8-21 at Daicey Pond Campground. Boardman will have an open studio and present one evening program at the campground.

DENMARK

Denmark Arts Center hosts reception, show of drawings

A show of drawings by Jeff Woodbury, an artist at The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, will open at the Denmark Arts Center on Thursday, with a reception at 7 p.m.

Woodbury creates abstractions based on nature and geography.

He will also teach an Easy Block Printing workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the center.

A picnic will follow in Bicentennial Park.

The Arts Center is at 50 West Main St., on Route 160 in Denmark Village. For information, call 452-2412 or visit www.denmarkarts.org/calendar.

PORTLAND

Two chances to see or play the Kotzschmar Organ

Those curious about how Portland’s best-known musical instrument works may attend tours hosted by the Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ beginning at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday and Sept. 1 at Merrill Auditorium.

Ray Cornils, who is celebrating his 20th year as Portland’s municipal organist, will provide demonstrations and give a short concert before leading the tour.

Also available to organists is Open Console, a program in which organists can pay to play the organ. Open Console will be available from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Sept. 1. The fee is $45 for a 30-minute session. A reservation is required. Call 553-4363 to reserve a slot.

For information, visit www.foko.org.

Grant funds to support special project called ‘Play’

The Telling Room has received $20,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Maine Arts Commission and the Jane B. Cook 1992 Trust to launch a special project called “Play.”

Programs throughout the year will range from an ad hoc sports league with a literary twist, a kid-created guide to Greater Portland playgrounds, wilderness excursions and more. Students also will work with Rebecca Goodale, head of the USM Center for Book Arts, and Peter Madden, a local book artist, on taking a playful approach to presentation of their writing. Their work will be displayed in sculptural books.

For information, go online to www.tellingroom.org.

WISCASSET

Maine Art Gallery to host Harpswell artist Saturday

The Maine Art Gallery will host Harpswell artist Jan Roberson as artist in residence from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Roberson, a pastel artist with an interest in dance subjects and boats from unusual angles, graduated from the University of Southern Maine. She will greet people and show examples of her work.

For information, visit www.maineartgallery.org or call 882-7511.

 

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