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In This Issue:
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Talent Surrounds Us"Talent surrounds us" was the theme of the "Community Celebration of Arts and Culture" held at The Center and the Waterville Opera House on February 2. An estimated 250 people turned out at this mid week evening event sponsored by Mid-Maine Arts Partners (MMAP) and co hosted by REM and the Waterville Opera House. The hallways and public spaces of The Center were covered with the work of both new and established fine artists and craftspeople from the mid Maine region. Performing artists presented a much appreciated diverse sampling of their work in the grand old Waterville Opera House, and guests were invited to bring and dine on foods representing the diverse ethnic heritage of mid Maine people. Tables were abundantly supplied with gifts of food from area citizens. The evening marked the official release of the 64 page Mid-Maine Arts Partners Arts and Cultural Directory, a cornucopia of area talent and creative resources. The result of untold hours of labor by over 100 REM volunteers, this lavishly detailed directory includes descriptive information on over 270 individual artists who live in the region and nearly as many artistic and cultural organizations. Eleven towns and one city are represented in the directory: Albion, Belgrade, Benton, China, Clinton, Fairfield, Oakland, Rome, Sidney, Vassalboro, Winslow and Waterville. A quick scan of the contents reveals an inclusive attitude, with a few artists from Canaan, Skowhegan, Gardiner and Pittsfield, and the hinterlands listed. A very broad definition of the arts is also apparent, one which includes crafts, dance, film and media arts, fine arts, healing arts, literary arts, music and theater. Directory Project Manager Faye Nicholson said, "Many who helped were aware of how strongly the arts, culture and heritage of Mid Maine impact the quality of our lives, our spirit, and our economy." She specifically thanked Barbara Gunvaldsen, Judy Judkins, Dwight Lanning, Jean Ann Pollard, Ralph Atkins, Fred Cunningham, and Sheryl King, as well as "three brilliant, young members of this community, who through their graphic art talents, actually brought this directory to reality. They were Brian Vigue, Peggie Chouinard and Amy Cyrway. "Hundreds of people fed them the details, they sorted it all, and made it happen, in style. When everyone else was exhausted, Amy Cyrway actually nailed it," said Nicholson. Waterville Mayor and Chair of Mid Maine Arts Partners Nelson Madore praised the high level of volunteerism it took to research, design and create the directory and organize tonight's event. "Mid Maine Arts Partners is particularly grateful to the volunteers who worked so hard to produce this directory. Faye Nicholson and volunteers for REM have successfully pulled together a publication which benefits the entire region," said Madore. In her introduction to the directory, writer Jean Ann Pollard, of Winslow, comments that "the health and vitality of any community depends upon the rich and varied cultural life that supports, expresses, and promotes it." The coalition Mid Maine Arts Partners were convened by the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) to build community through arts, culture and heritage. Nicholson praised KVCOG Director Elery Keene for his leadership and moral support. Private and public support made production of the directory possible, including Sappi Fine Paper North America, Atkins Printing, Gardiner Savings Institution Charitable Foundation, Maine Arts Commission, the National Endowment f or the Arts, the Maine Community Foundation and the Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Fund. And where will the arts in this region go from here? Surely it's up to mid Maine residents to decide. On February 2, it was a time to celebrate the talent that surrounds us and that is a glowing ember within each one of us. View the online version of this directory!
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