Black History Month

Performance from the Black Artist Forum

Details TBA

2/6

First Friday

Marta Morse

Photography Exhibit

Contemporary Art Gallery

"Dryness Across the Sub-Saharan Africa"

2/27

The Art of Grace

Discussion and Spirit Mask Performance

with Director Oscar Mokeme

3/6

First Friday

Marta Morse

Photography Exhibit

Contemporary Art Gallery

"Dryness Across the Sub-Saharan Africa"

New Exhibit in Heritage Gallery

"The Art of Grace": A selection of objects that reflect the idea of grace, beauty and transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa

3/13

The Artist's Story

A talk with Marta Morse

Travels through Sub- saharan Africa

Current Exhibitioner in Contemporary Art Gallery

3/27

Friends of Africa

With Deb Locke

Slide Show and discussion

To Timbuctou and Back: Among the Many Cultures of Mali & Burkina Faso

3/30
to 4/3

Public mask making for Ebune Parade

4-7 pm Baxter building 619 Congress Street

The Art Education Department of Maine College of Art will be holding public workshops and invites any and all of the public that are interested in learning about the Ebune Festival to be a part of the celebration. The workshops will include puppet, mask and banner-making activities for all levels that can be carried in the Ebune Parade. No charge, donations welcome.

4/3

First Friday

Marta Morse

Photography Exhibit

Contemporary Art Gallery

"Dryness Across the Sub-Saharan Africa"

Public lecture with Oscar Mokeme

4-7 pm Baxter Building 619 Congress Street

Featuring Ebune

4/5

Annual Ebune Parade

Celebration of Spring

Starts in front of MECA 12 noon, celebration at Eastern Promenade

On Sunday April 5th, the Procession lines up at 11:30 a.m. in front of MECA's. At noon we process down Congress Street to the Eastern Promenade. Anyone with a ram-themed puppet, mask, or instrument can join. In addition, volunteers are needed to help carry banners and animate puppets or masks. Volunteers are encouraged to contact us in advance, but can also show up at 11 a.m. on the day of the event.

Celebration and food at the Eastern Promenade.

Ebune has been generously sponsored by the United Way, Maine Humanities Council, Maine Arts Commission, and Artists and Craftsman Supply.

5/1

First Friday

Carly Stewart

Portraits from West Africa: painting and drawings by Carly Stewart

Contemporary Art Gallery

5/29

Friends of Africa

Discussion with Tim Honey

Be Global

African cities and towns are exploding in population, and are transforming the face of every country in Africa. Come join Tim and Irene Honey as they share their stories, both personal and professional, about the opportunities and challenges of urbanization in Africa. They will share their experiences of adopting an elementary school in Soweto to volunteering in an impoverished, but magical township, in Cape Town. Tim will discuss his recent professional trip to East Africa, focused upon the urgent need for the international development agencies to re-focus their development assistance upon African cities.

6/5

First Friday

Carly Stewart

Portraits from West Africa: painting and drawings by Carly Stewart

Contemporary Art Gallery

6/6

Artist's Story

An evening with artist Carly Stewart

Current artist in Contemporary Art Gallery

6/26

Discussion and Spirit Mask Performance

6:30 pm $5.00 donation

with Director Oscar Mokeme

7/3

First Friday: Opening

Utilitarian Pots of Sub-Saharan Africa

and Photo Exhibit by former UN diplomat Eugene Boelens

A look into the lives and the communities around the River Niger.

Contemporary Art Gallery

7/10

Friends of Africa

6:30 pm $5.00 donation

A slide presentation by potter Ann Schunior

Schunior's travels to West Africa exploring what it is like to see through the eyes of a potter — everything from mud houses and mosques to animist shrines — as clay sculpture to large pots. And a slide presentation of potmaking with the women of Inyi, Nigeria.

7/24

Artist's Story

6:30 pm $5.00 donation

An evening with artist Eugene Boelens

Current artist in Contemporary Art Gallery

Mr. Eugene Boelens, former Director of the United Nations Development Programme in several countries in West and East Africa, frequently returns on extensive journeys to West Africa.

8/7

First Friday

Utilitarian Pots of Sub-Saharan Africa

and Photo Exhibit by former UN diplomat Eugene Boelens

A look into the lives and the communities around the River Niger.

Contemporary Art Gallery

8/15

11th Anniversary Kwenu Celebration

Kwenu (Unity) Street Festival

Great music, good food, unique crafts, children's activities, raffle

8/28

Discussion and Spirit Mask Performance

6:30 pm $5.00 donation

with Director Oscar Mokeme

9/4

First Friday: Opening

Metal works and Jewelries

Ebeneza Akapko

Celebrating the ancient spirit of Ghana in the contemporary world

Contemporary Art Gallery

9/18

Cultural Film

"World of Our Own"

6:30 pm $5.00 donation

Nigerian Film Viewing and Discussion Forum with Oscar Mokeme.

9/25

Benefit for Outreach Educational Programs

6:30 pm $50-$100 suggested donation

Cocktails, Museum Tour, and Mask Presentation

15 Brown Street, Unit 402, Portland

10/23

Cultural Film

TBA

6:30 pm $5.00 donation

Film Viewing and Discussion Forum with Oscar Mokeme.

11/6

Drumming with Michael Wingfield

6:30 pm

11/20

Friends of Africa: Travels in Mali

With Amy Faulkingham

Slide Show and discussion

11/27

Mask of the Month

6:30 pm $5.00 donation

We focus on issues of receiving your "Sudden Glory". We will conclude with a demonstration of masquerade.

12/4

First Friday Art Walk

Musical Instruments of Sub-Saharan Africa

12/11

African Film Night

6:30 pm $5.00 donation

Film Viewing and Discussion Forum with Oscar Mokeme.

12/18

Friends of Africa

TBA

Slide Show and discussion

12/31

New Year's Eve

Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony

With stories & history of this special ceremony

Only $10.00