PORTLAND

Discussion on controversial mural can be seen online

The panel discussion “Whose Art Is It?” hosted April 8 by the Portland Museum of Art is available to watch at vimeo.com/22247879 and on the museum home page, portlandmuseum.org. The discussion featured a range of opinions about public art and the labor murals that were recently removed from the Maine Department of Labor building in Augusta. Among the panelists was the artist who created the panels, Judy Taylor of Tremont.

Bradford wins Guggenheim Fellowship for fine arts

Part-time Maine painter Katherine Bradford has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in the fine arts. Bradford’s award brings further honor and distinction to Maine by adding “considerable stature to our local contemporary arts scene and community,” said Andres Verzosa, who operates Aucocisco Galleries in Portland. Aucocisco represents Bradford locally.

The award is given on the basis of achievement in the past and promise for continued accomplishment. The fellowship will allow Bradford to work with as much creative freedom as possible.

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The artist splits her time between Brunswick and New York. Her works are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, the Farnsworth Museum, the Portland Museum and Bowdoin, Smith, Bryn Mawr and Bates colleges.

She is currently on the graduate MFA faculty at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia and on the faculty at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, where she teaches a course in non-traditional painting. In 2009, she was a resident faculty at the Skowhegan School for Painting and Sculpture.

Paddlers Film Festival held at Eastland Hotel on April 28

The Maine Island Trail Association and the Northern Forest Canoe Trail will present the Fourth Annual Paddlers Film Festival at the Eastland Hotel in Portland on April 28. This year, the Maine Island Trail Association will also host a silent auction throughout the evening. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the auction, and films begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Student tickets cost $10. Advance tickets may be purchased by calling 761-8225 or online at brownpapertickets.com.

YARMOUTH

‘Ida LeClair’ creator will put the character in a book

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Susan Poulin, the creator, performer and creative force behind the character “Ida LeClair,” will write her first Ida LeClair book, a “self-help” guide intended to help readers get in touch with their “inner moose.”

Maine-based Islandport Press will publish the as-yet-untitled book, which will offer advice on topics such as relationships, physical fitness and housecleaning. Ida lives in the fictional western Maine town of Mahoosuc Falls, where, among other things, she is a cashier at the grocery store and enjoys attending Zumba classes. The book is slated for release in 2012.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Islandport Press. I have been writing plays as Ida since 1996, but a play is just not long enough to contain all Ida has to say. It’s wonderful to have this opportunity to take her commonsensical approach to life and put it into book form,” Poulin said in a news release.

Poulin is best known for her performances, including the play “Ida: Woman Who Runs with the Moose.” She writes about and performs as Ida throughout the region. Her plays include “Ida’s Havin’ a Yard Sale” and “A Very Ida Christmas.”

Poulin lives in South Berwick with her husband, Gordon Carlisle.

BRUNSWICK

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Music theater names four actresses for ‘Wonderettes’

Maine State Music Theatre has announced the four actresses playing Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Suzy and Missy, also known as “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” in the theater’s opening show of the 2011 season.

The show will star Brittney Morello, Lara Seibert, Danielle Erin Rhodes and Morgan Smith. “The Marvelous Wonderettes” features popular songs from the 1950s and ’60s, and runs June 8-25 at the Pickard Theater on the Bowdoin College campus.

Morello, who plays Betty Jean, made her Maine State Music Theatre debut last summer when the starring actress in “My Fair Lady” lost her voice just before opening night. She has many regional credits. Lara Seibert, playing Cindy Lou, starred as Janet, the bride-to-be, in 2009’s “The Drowsy Chaperone.” She has performed on Broadway and toured nationally.

Danielle Erin Rhodes plays Suzy, and Morgan Smith plays Missy. Both actresses are making their Maine State debuts this summer.

“The Marvelous Wonderettes” opens Maine State’s 53rd season. The schedule also includes “Annie,” “Xanadu” and “The Wiz.” Season tickets are on sale by calling 725-8769.

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ARUNDEL

Vinegar Hill to hold open auditions for ‘Oz’ Munchkins

Vinegar Hill Youth Theatre has announced open auditions for youngsters for the supporting roles of Munchkins in “The Wizard of Oz” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. May 28 at Arundel Barn Playhouse. Tyler Schyvink and Rebecca Schretzimier, Vinegar Hill Youth Theatre coordinators, will conduct auditions.

Youngsters will be auditioned in the order they arrive. No appointments are needed.
Youngsters should be in grade 3 or older, be able to read a script and sing strongly, and be no taller than 4 feet 8 inches. Auditioners should be prepared to sing any favorite song a capella and read from a provided script. Parents should accompany youngsters, and may sit in the rear of the theater during auditions.

Rehearsals start in July, with performances from July 19 to Aug. 6.

In addition, applications are available for the Vinegar Hill Youth Theatre Summer Apprentice Program for high school students who are interested in all aspects of theater. The program takes place at Arundel Barn, and is free.

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Call the playhouse at 985-5553.

ELLSWORTH

Film on artist Stephen Pace earns Emmy nomination

The film “Stephen Pace: Maine Master” has received a New England Emmy Award nomination.

Produced by the Union of Maine Visual Artists, the film premiered at the Sony Wonder Technology Lab in New York City and aired as part of the MPBN Community Films series in 2010.  Winners will be selected next month.

“Stephen Pace: Maine Master” follows painter Stephen Pace from his early days in Paris to the heady 1950s in New York with friends Jackson Pollack and Franz Kline.

Pace, who died last year, spent the latter part of his art career in Stonington.


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