me arts ed

June marks the beginning of the 2009 Bates Dance Festival season

Bates Dance Festival offers a variety of opportunities for dancers and audience members of all ages. Festival Director, Laura Faure and Registrar Nancy Salmon are busy getting ready to greet the hundreds of students, dancers and audience members who will benefit from the festival.

The main stage series will feature dazzling and provocative new works by Kate Weare Company, Battleworks, Tania Isaac Dance, Bebe Miller Company and world-class musicians and visiting artists; over 30 of America’s finest dance artists will offer a diverse array of classes for 280 dancers from around the globe .

Seventy local children can participate in an expanded program this year that is filled with music and dance. Dance scholars will present panel discussions and lectures that enhance your knowledge of the making and the meaning of dance.

The festival takes place on the Bates College campus in Lewiston. You can learn more about the programs and performances by clicking here. If you have questions email Nancy at dancefest@bates.edu.

Bangor senior, Katie Porter’s artwork “Neighborly Turkey” selected!

Katie Porter's "Neighborly Turkey"

This is the second year in a row that Bangor High School art teacher, Kal Elmore, had a student’s artwork selected in the Liberty Graphics contest. The theme this year was “Art and our Natural Environment” and has been sponsored for 12 years. Tom Opper, owner of Liberty Graphics, sponsors the $1000.00 scholarship contest, open to all Maine high school seniors, to encourage Maine students in their artistic endeavors.

Kal says of Katie and her artwork: “Katie is a talented student who is one of the school’s top students academically and is a star on the math and cross country teams – a multi-talented young woman. He art work is always strong, she works hard to make sure all work meets her extremely high standard.”

“Katie is currently working to complete her AP Studio Art portfolio, her concentration focuses on biology and evolution. Some of these works explore the idea of mutation and natural selection. The collection of works reveals this student’s skill and ability with a wide variety of media and techniques. Katie has been a treat to have in class for a variety of reasons. She puts forth the time and effort to do her best in all situations and always strives for a meaningful outcome.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO KATIE AND KAL!