Community Events Calendar

Currents, the Colby College Museum of Art's annual emerging artist series, takes place every fall in the Museum. The series presents solo-exhibitions by artists with a connection to the state of Maine in the Museum's Davis Gallery with an accompanying publication and public lecture by the artist. Each exhibition provides a unique opportunity to view cutting-edge art by some of today's most exciting emerging artists. In an effort to broaden the exposure of our audiences to artists pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms, special attention is given, but not limited, to artists working in art forms such as video, installation, performance, and site-specific works. currents1: Julianne Swartz Curated by Sharon Corwin, Carolyn Muzzy Director and Chief Curator Julianne Swartz, a New York-based artist whose work was featured in the 2004 Whitney Biennial, uses light and sound to explore the thresholds of perception. Her installations challenge the viewer to see and hear elements in the environment that previously may have gone unnoticed. Free and Open to the Public Tuesday Saturday 10 am - 5 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm and Closed Mondays. The Museum is closed during the following holidays: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year s Day.

Currents, the Colby College Museum of Art's annual emerging artist series, takes place every fall in the Museum. The series presents solo-exhibitions by artists with a connection to the state of Maine in the Museum's Davis Gallery with an accompanying publication and public lecture by the artist. Each exhibition provides a unique opportunity to view cutting-edge art by some of today's most exciting emerging artists. In an effort to broaden the exposure of our audiences to artists pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms, special attention is given, but not limited, to artists working in art forms such as video, installation, performance, and site-specific works. October 9, 2008 - February 1, 2009. Free and Open to the Public Tuesday Saturday 10 am - 5 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm and Closed Mondays. The Museum is closed during the following holidays Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year s Day. In the fifth installment of currents, an annual solo exhibition dedicated to the work of an emerging artist with connections to Maine, the Colby College Museum of Art presents Here Be Dragons (2008), a new video installation by t s Beall, an American artist living in Glasgow who attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in 2003. The exhibition consists of a single watchtower surmounted by a rotating platform outfitted with video projectors. From it, circular, scope-like video sequences of landscape imagery drawn from desolate outposts and contested areas are projected onto the walls of the gallery.

Looking for a great field trip that costs only $5 a student? Did you know one of the finest professional theatres in the Northeast is located in Lewiston? Put THE PUBLIC THEATRE on your "must do" list for the year and give your students an inspiring educational experience that will introduce them to the vibrant cultural life in their home state. We offer special school-day matinees for each show in our season. You can make your reservations at any time. This season we are pleased to present: The Book Club Play. HURRY, this comedy that celebrates the joy of reading is COMING SOON! (Grade 8 and up). Oct 23 & 24 AT 9:30am. A Christmas Carol. These shows fill up quickly, we already have some large groups booked. Don't wait, plan your trip today (Grade 2 & up) Dec 4, 5, 6 @9:30am & 11:30am. The Hound of the Baskervilles. This popular Sherlock Holmes story becomes pure comic bliss in this side-splitting spoof. (Grade 7 and up) Jan 29 & 30 @9:30am. Time Stands Still. When a war correspondent and his photo journalist girlfriend return home from a war zone mentally and physically wounded, they must accept the reality that the news they risk their lives to report is deemed less interesting than celebrity gossip. Filled with fascinating social and political arguments, this powerful Broadway hit will inspire a great conversation among students. (Grade 10 and up) March 19 at 9:30am. The Last Romance. Exploring a new path on his walk home, a charming widower discovers a woman, her dog, and the possibility of a second chance at love. (Grade 7 and up)May 8 at 9:30am. Haiku, Hiphop and Hotdogs. Favorite children's poems are woven into a seamless tapestry of art and entertainment for all. The poems of Jack Prelutsky, Beatrice Schenk de Regniers, David McCord, Geoff Hewitt and others are featured in this exciting new creation from the award-winning Crabgrass Puppet Theatre. (Grade Pre K - 5) May 20, 21 at 9:30am & 11:30am May 22 at 9:30am. Don't miss out on this great opportunity. Student Matinees can fill up very quickly, especially the ones for the youngest students. You can never be too early, but you don't want to be too late. CALL 782-2211 TO BOOK YOUR CLASS TODAY. Don't think your class can afford to go? Think again. Don't think your class can afford to go? Think again. Need help with the tickets? IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BRINGING YOUR STUDENTS, BUT FUNDING IS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, PLEASE CONTACT US BEFORE GIVING UP. Financial assistance may be available for schools in need. Whether you need help for a few students, or the whole class, please call to talk to us. Need help with transportation? Please check out transportation reimbursement funds available through the Maine Arts Commission's Ticket to Ride Grant program. Ticket to Ride is a program that provides funding to defray the cost of travel for Maine schools wishing to visit Maine arts based venues and events as part of a well rounded curriculum. Any K-12 school in Maine is eligible to receive support of up to $300 each school year and any K-12 school in Maine with a documented free and reduced lunch student population of 50 percent or greater is eligible to receive support of up to $500 each school year. Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis as long as there are remaining funds. The funding is non competitive and the only criteria is need.

Games & Crafts: Every Tuesday @ 3:30pm

WHEN: Tue, 10:30am 11:00am; WHERE: Gardiner Public Library Children's Room (map); WHO: For toddlers 3-5 years old.

Downtown Gardiner glows with warmth and light as the community uncovers the true spirit of the season. Celestial song lead by the choral group Mainely Harmony helps Gardiner residents summons the magic of the holidays by bringing to light the official tree in Downtown Gardiner from 5:30 to 6:30pm on Saturday, Dec. 1st. The glow from these lights endures throughout the month of December as a number of events help to make the season bright. The day of December 1st is full of events. Holiday craft fairs will be held at numerous locations in town. The Gardiner Public Library s Annual Book Sale will begin. Have a Go at Gardiner, an event of the Gardiner Heart and Soul project, will take place from 2-4 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club on Pray Street. Gardiner residents will share what is important to them about Gardiner through a series of fun events for all ages. Next, decorate Grinch Heart cookies at the Who-liday Bakery in Johnson Hall. There will be a contest for the best Cindy-Lou-Who look-alike. The winner will ride in the holiday parade the following weekend. The holidays are an important time of the year for the community to come together to celebrate in Downtown, the heart and soul Gardiner, says Patrick Wright, director of Gardiner Main Street. Friday evening, Dec. 7th features the annual holiday Art Walk, as a number of Downtown galleries and businesses feature work from local artists from 5:30pm until 8:30 p.m. During this time, Gardiner businesses will be open late, offering a candlelight shopping opportunity for those wishing to support local businesses by purchasing gifts or gift certificates. The following morning, Water Street will be lined with spectators as community groups march Downtown in advance of the guest of honor, Santa Claus. This year s parade theme is Who s Your Favorite Who . Santa has taken time out of his busy schedule to meet with boys and girls in Johnson Hall directly after the parade. The public is invited to linger downtown, and will have the opportunity to ride in the horse drawn wagon that carries St. Nick in the parade. People of all faiths are invited to celebrate Hannukah at the A-1 Diner on December 9th from 2-4:30 p.m. with a traditional Latke (potato pancake) party. New to Downtown Gardiner this year, Gardiner Youth Hockey presents A Festival of Trees on the waterfront December 21st. This winter solstice party features visits with Santa, carolers, dancers, and a silent auction. Dozens of holiday tress will be decorated in various themes. Gardiner Main Street encourages everyone in the capital area to shop locally this holiday season. Our downtowns are filled with unique shops offering uncommon gifts and experiences with knowledgeable and friendly merchants. Pop-Up Stores and the 5th Annual Pottery Shoppe by the Central Maine Clay Artists have the storefronts bursting at the seams. For those shoppers not sure what to get for loved ones, Gardiner Main Street has again arranged for Gift of Gardiner local gift checks to be sold at The Bank of Maine, 190 Water Street. These gift checks, worth $20, can be redeemed at over 30 Gardiner locations. Gardiner s Days of Light are a way to celebrate our unique history, culture, and community during the holidays. For a complete list of events, and more information on historic Downtown Gardiner, visit www.gardinermainstreet.org.