Community Calendar

Maine Public is a media sponsor of the DaPonte String Quartet’s concert series. For 34 years the DaPonte String Quartet has been engaging audiences across Maine with their intimate performances. This year they will perform Beethoven and Korngold in several locations along the mid-coast from August 24^th to September 14^th.

Maine Public members are eligible for 15% off tickets, please use the code MainePublic15.

More information on concert venues: https://dapontequartet.org/events/category/concert/

Cushing-based artist Vic Goldsmith will have a show of work entitled “Transition” on display in the upper and lower levels of the Rockport Public Library, Sept. 3-29. The exhibit will feature Goldsmith’s improvisational wood carvings and abstract colored pencil drawings he calls “pencil paintings.” An opening reception will be held at the library on Friday, Sept. 5, from 3 to 5 p.m.

“In both my sculpture and drawings, I use abstraction and the surreal to see and express alternative patterns in the ordinary elements of our world,” says Goldsmith. During the past three years, arthritis has necessitated a transition to pencil drawing as Goldsmith’s primary means of creative expression. With the drawings, “color and shading add another layer to the choices I make in moving the work forward, a significant difference from the generally monochromatic wood sculptures.”

Victor Goldsmith grew up in New York and took an inspiring sculpture class with Jack Squier while studying architecture at Cornell University. He entered the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) as a graduate assistant in sculpture, receiving his Master of Fine Arts degree in 1979. While his career ultimately focused on architecture and construction consulting, Goldsmith recalibrated after retirement and resumed working on wood sculpture full-time in 2001. His work has been shown in New York, Rhode Island, Portland, Maine, and locally in a number of Rockland galleries.

The 21st Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) is almost here! September 11–14, 2025 Camden, Rockport + Rockland, Maine.
This year’s lineup features 26 features and 28 shorts from 32 countries — with 65% making their World, U.S., or North American premieres. Many are fresh from Venice, Toronto, Sundance, Berlinale, and more.

Opening Night
Come See Me in the Good Light (Maine premiere) — Ryan White’s Sundance award-winner about poet Andrea Gibson, their partner Megan Falley, and a love story that shines even in the face of illness.

Nuestra Tierra (Landmarks) (U.S. premiere) — the first documentary feature from acclaimed Argentinian director Lucrecia Martel.

Across borders, histories, and artistic forms, this year’s program explores the theme of belonging — stories of community and finding home in an unstable world.

New this year:
The festival spans four full days (Thurs–Sun).
A free community screening of Ian Cheney’s Observer on Wed, Sept 10.
Film-inspired experiences, including an observation walk and a community run.

Explore the full program + get your pass: camdenfilmfest.org

Join the Lewiston Public Library for Baby Sensory Playtime in the Children’s Department every Thursday* morning from 10am to 12pm, starting September 5th, 2024.
*(The Library will be closed on Thursday, 11/27 in observance of Thanksgiving & on Thursday, 12/25 in observance of Christmas)

Drop-in and join us for Baby Sensory Playtime! Babies and their caregivers will have the opportunity to interact with a variety of sensory toys and socialize with other families with young children.

Playtime with sensory toys contributes to a baby’s cognitive development, fine motor skills, social and emotional development, creativity, and language development.

Recommended for babies ages birth-18 months and their caregivers. Siblings are always welcome. This program is free, open to the public and no registration is required.

The Lewiston Public Library is located downtown at 200 Lisbon Street at the corner of Pine Street and Lisbon St.

More information on Children’s programs is available by contacting the Lewiston Public Library at 513-3133 or LPLKids@lewistonmaine.gov.

A weekly gathering of friends, coffee, and games, for patrons 55 and up. Don't forget to ask for your FREE cup of drip coffee or tea. A part of our Community Thursday programming.

Witness the exciting changes fall brings and build your ecological literacy with Fields Pond Audubon Center’s Homeschool Naturalists program! Designed for children ages 6-14, this engaging series will start as a whole mixed age group, then break into age based investigation teams to dive deeper into that week’s theme!

Together, we’ll:

Study the magic behind fall leaves,
Explore fall seed dispersal and native plant life cycles
Study the role of naturalists in identifying trends and patterns in our natural world.
Learn how the local habitat prepares for the coming winter
And more!
Each session combines outdoor exploration, guided hiking, and nature journaling to deepen your connection with the natural world.

If you're a community member eager to keep on learning as the years go by, check out the Belfast Senior College’s fall semester schedule. With eighteen courses to choose from, there's something for everyone, from hands-on learning, to discussions and lectures. There's no tests, no homework and opportunities to interact with other learners. Registration opens on Tuesday, September 2, and classes start on September 22. Belfast Senior College (BSC) welcomes all who are ages 50 and over to become a member to enjoy this community of learners.

Richard Boyd Art Gallery opens September with a group exhibition of paintings and sculptures in a range of styles created by a group of national and internationally renowned visual artists with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and styles.

The exhibit is comprised of a magnificent selection of fine art that offers viewers a visual narrative of feelings expressed in color, depth, detail, and texture. From the calming beauty of a foggy landscape to the immersive experience of a surrealistic dreamscape, art takes viewers on a personal journey of exploration. Art is an international language we all understand, offering viewers adventure and discovery.

The exhibition presents an exceptional collection of paintings and sculptures created from the soul of the artist. Each work is a well-rendered expression of emotion, passion, and feelings. The exhibit includes works by Deena S. Ball, Tim Eaton, Patricia Chandler, Randy Eckard, Richard H. Eyster, Laura Freeman, Jane Herbert, and HM Saffer II.

Stop in and see this great exhibition open free of charge from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily from September 2nd through September 28th, 2025. For more information the gallery by phone (207)-712-1097, email info@richardboydartgallery.com or visit the gallery’s website www.richardboydartgallery.com .

For exhibit updates follow the gallery on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardBoydArtGallery and on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/richardboydartgallery9327 .

Image of "Early Morning Fog” a 20” x 30” acrylic on canvas painting by Jane Herbert.

Rebecca Hayes ‘From Maine With Love’
New Paintings Inspired by Vintage Scenes

Through her stunning photo-realistic paintings, artist Rebecca Hayes takes us on a journey through Greater Portland history finding forgotten moments and cherished memories. In collaboration with historian Paul Ledman, author of “Walking Through History: Portland, Maine on Foot” and “Portland, Maine: Connections Across Time”, Hayes has brought her sharp brush work and eye for color to iconic locations including Harbor Fish Market, Red’s Dairy Freeze, and Congress Square. Each painting will be accompanied by text from Ledman for historical context.
Additional paintings of contemporary paintings of Greater Portland will be on view in the gallery.

Rebecca Hayes is an artist based in Portland, Maine. She grew up in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Opening Reception: Thursday August 8th, 5-7pm

Guests will enjoy the freshest Allagash White while walking through our world-class brewery. We'll finish the tour with three samples of featured releases. If you're looking for a more in-depth experience with more info on our wild and sour barrel room and coolship program, check out our Signature Tour & Tasting.

The highlights:
4 samples
30 minutes
$20 before tax/fees
21+

Please read on before booking:
Tour-goers must be 21 or older. Infant-wearing is welcome - the tour path through our manufacturing plant is not suitable for young children or strollers. Guests who are not drinking beer will have a choice of NA beverage. Dogs are not allowed on this manufacturing plant tour.