LEWISTON — The Bates College Museum of Art exhibition “Convergence: Jazz, Films and the Visual Arts” expands in autumn 2014 with films, panels and lectures beginning with a talk by the founder of Columbia University’s Center for Jazz Studies at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, in Room 104 of the Olin Arts Center, 75 Russell St.

The talk by Robert O’Meally, who is also a former director of the Center for Jazz Studies and serves as the Zora Neale Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia, is titled “Looking at the Music: Jazz and the Visual Arts.” A panel discussion and an additional lecture take place on Oct. 1 and 27 (information below).

The “Convergence” film series begins with “In Good Time, The Piano Jazz of Marian McPartland” at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, in Olin 104.

Events related to “Convergence,” as well as admission to the exhibition itself, are open to the public at no cost. An important exhibition of art exploring jazz and African American culture, “Convergence” is on display at Bates through Dec. 13. Learn more at bit.ly/bates-convergence.

The museum is also presenting “Encountering Maine.” Drawn from the museum’s collection, this exhibition comprises depictions of the state by such well-known artists as Marsden Hartley, Bernard Langlais, Melonie Bennett, Dahlov Ipcar and Robert Indiana. “Encountering Maine” shows through Oct. 12.

The museum is located at 75 Russell St. Hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday (until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays during the academic year). For more information, contact 207-786-6158.