PRESQUE ISLE — The Fine Art Department of the University of Maine at Presque Isle will offer an informational session Thursday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. in the UMPI Campus Center Alumni Room for those interested in learning more about UMPI’s summer European Fine Art Study Tour of Italy on May 27 through June 6. Tour leader, Fine Art Professor Cliff Boudman, and Ms. Liz Scanlon, New England representative from Trafalgar Tours, will be on hand to discuss the planned agenda, cover highlights of the trip and field questions from students or community members considering travel abroad on the “Italian Dream Tour.”
Three fine art college credits are available through the University, although participation as a student is not required.
According to Boudman, “many are students, but most are community people along for their own enrichment.”
This will be the 37th European Fine Art Study Tour guided and organized by Boudman, and his seventh excursion to the Italian peninsula. For further information, contact him at 455-8096 or on campus at 768-9448. A $500 discount per couple or $200 per individual will be available for those making a deposit that evening.
Native student success
Strategies for providing more culturally responsive curriculum and instruction to Native American and First Nations students will be the focus of a University of Maine at Presque Isle noontime seminar on Thursday, Jan. 28, from 12:15-1:15 p.m. in the Normal Hall Faculty Lounge. Professor of Education Dr. JoAnne Putnam will offer a presentation titled, “Native American and First Nations: Cultural Context and Student Success,” exploring why national data show that students from ethnic minorities are overrepresented in special education and reasons for this disproportionality in Maine schools. Members of the community are invited to attend this free lecture and discussion, the first in UMPI’s spring Faculty Noon Seminar series. FMI, contact Lynn Eldershaw at 768-9749.
University hosts concert
A fast-moving traditional bluegrass band from central Maine, Blistered Fingers, will be the featured performers in a night of bluegrass on Saturday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. in Wieden Auditorium at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. The group is comprised of lead singer Sandy Cormier, Greg Cormier on banjo, Chad Cormier on mandolin and Bob Fletcher on acoustic bass and tenor/baritone vocals. A repeated winner of the title “Maine’s #1 Bluegrass Band,” they offer a style that mixes original material, soulful ballads, hard-driving traditional bluegrass — all with a dash of good humor. Tickets are $10/adults, $2/students, and free for UMPI, NMCC and SAGE students with ID. Snow date for this concert is Sunday, Jan. 31. FMI, please call 768-9462.
