PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Art Gallery presents “People of the Dawn: A Celebration of Mi’kmaq Art” between Nov. 1 and Dec. 20, 2019.
The public is invited to view the exhibition throughout the show’s run and attend the Gallery Reception on Friday, Nov. 1, from 5-7 p.m., which includes a gallery talk at 5:30 p.m.; light refreshments will be served. This reception is being held in conjunction with the First Friday Art Walk and the citywide Native American Heritage Celebration. The Reed Gallery is located on the second floor of the University’s Center for Innovative Learning.
People of the Dawn: A Celebration of Mi’kmaq Art will feature a collection of art works by local Mi’kmaq artists and featured pieces from the University of Maine at Presque Isle Art Collection and the Hudson Museum at the University of Maine in Orono.
“We are delighted to contribute to the celebration and preservation of the important art and craft traditions of the Mi’kmaq people,” Reed Gallery Director Frank Sullivan said. “The show will feature a variety of work by important local artists and artisans, along with a wonderful selection of pieces that were generously loaned to us by the Hudson Museum’s impressive collection.”
Works on display will range from traditional baskets and tools to fiber art, paintings, and drawings. Each piece in the show was created by a Mi’kmaq artist or artisan. The gallery show is part of a larger slate of events scheduled between Nov. 1 and 3 taking place throughout the community in collaboration with the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, the City of Presque Isle, Wintergreen Arts Center, the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library, UMPI, and Northern Maine Community College. The weekend of activities is focused on Native art, history, culture, music, dance, and stories.
All are invited to view the show between November and December and to come out to the First Friday Art Walk on Nov. 1 and take part in the free reception and talk at 5:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. In addition, this show will be open during the First Friday Art Walk on Dec. 6 from 5-7 p.m. Please follow gallery happenings on the Reed Gallery Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ReedArtGallery.
The Reed Fine Art Gallery is located on the second floor of UMPI’s Center for Innovative Learning and is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday from 2-10 p.m. The gallery is closed Saturdays and University holidays. For more information about this event, please contact Sullivan at frank.sullivan@maine.edu.
Submitted by the Community and Media Relations Office of the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
