Community Calendar

Divine Dance: Belly Dance Movement & Meditation:

We will deepen our connection to Mother Earth, the Divine Universe and our own unique divinity through movement meditation. Open to all levels and forms of dance practice. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a journal and a pen.

Drop ins welcome! Join us monthly for intentional movement and meditation. Register at bellydancewithjosephina.com

Maine nature writer and photographer Sandra Mitchell has always enjoyed animals, nature, and wildlife, taking every opportunity she could to spend time outdoors. This passion began with birds and the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, then expanded over the years to include just about everything to be found outside whether it has feathers, swims, crawls, hops, slithers, flies, or grows out of the earth or even grows on the things that grows out of the earth.

On her journey toward nature and writing, Sandra completed an AB from Cornell University in Biology and German Studies, followed by a degree in Veterinary Medicine, also from Cornell. Her first career was as a veterinarian and wildlife rehabilitator spending her days indoors with the animals she loved. But the outdoors called to her, so she called on her two brothers who were professional photographers to help her make the transition to professional nature photographer. She is a Maine Master Naturalist and a registered Maine Guide.

Sandra says she usually has the attention span of a squirrel, but when she’s outside in the wild world with a camera in her hand, she can sit still in a cramped kayak for hours waiting for just the right conditions to portray the heart of her subject.

She has written for publications including Northern Woodlands, PetMD, Cats Magazine, among others, and is slowly putting together a book.

People-Nature-Art is a free monthly series that brings artists, writers, carvers, and creative types of all kinds to the Gilley to explore how nature and art interact in their work.

"We're all going to die, so why don't we talk about it? I'm not saying talk about it so incessantly that people generally avoid you, (although you can if you want - I usually do) but rather talk about what we would like our end-of-life experience, our death, and our disposition to look and be like. With clear and concise communication and preparation, you can - and will - create the strongest possibility that you will experience a 'good death.'" -Leona Oceania, from Die Well Death Education

At a Death Cafe, people - often strangers - gather to eat cake, drink tea, and discuss death. Our objective is 'to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their finite lives.' It is a group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives, or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. All are welcome - join us!

*Individually wrapped, homemade skull cakelets will be provided.

You do not need to have attended prior classes to attend any of the Death Education series, but please register due to space limitations.

Falmouth Memorial Library is pleased to announce that Illustration Institute's The Great State of Illustration in Maine will be on display at the Library from November 8, 2025, through January 31, 2026. This exhibition celebrates the rich, diverse cultural heritage of over 80 Maine-connected illustrators such as Ashley Bryan, Barbara Cooney, Dahlov Ipcar, Melissa Sweet, Chris Van Dusen, N.C. Wyeth, and more. The Great State of Illustration in Maine will showcase illustration as an art form in the very place where books are easily and publicly accessed. "We are thrilled to welcome Illustration Institute to Falmouth Memorial Library and offer an exhibition of this depth and breadth to our community. We hope visitors from around our State will come enjoy this collection of incredible illustrations, and take advantage of exciting, related programming over the next three months," commented Jenna Mayotte, Library Director.

“Now and Then,” a show of paintings by Camden resident Nina Holland, will be on exhibit in the upper and lower levels of the Rockport Public Library Dec. 2, 2025 - Jan. 29, 2026. The display is a retrospective of Holland’s work, spanning her 65-year career as an artist.

Trained as a painter, Holland is also known as an accomplished weaver and craftsperson. Her work has been exhibited country-wide, including five venues in New York City. She has won several awards in juried shows including a purchase prize and alcove show at New Mexico State Art Museum in Santa Fe.

In the 1970s, she published numerous articles and three books – two about weaving and one about quilting. She taught at Evansville University and North Country Community College.

Nina Holland plans to donate all proceeds from the sales of her artwork in the Rockport Library show to International Rescue Committee, rated a four-star charity on Charity Navigator.

Have you ever struggled with making windows, doors and buildings look right in your drawings and paintings?

This four-session course will explain the simple system discovered in the Renaissance, called Linear Perspective, that will add to your tool kit to create more accurate drawings and paintings, especially of the built environment. The idea that things appear to be smaller in the distance, is deceptively simple.

Instructors Joan Vienot and Rick Osann will explain the system and how to apply it to your existing drawing skills through demonstration and mentored practice.

About the Instructors:

Rick Osann has been painting in watercolor since the early 1970’s. After various careers as a professional Scenic Artist working for stage, film & TV in New York City, and teaching art/theatre/film at Bonny Eagle High School in southern Maine, Rick is now happily focusing on his painting in Bar Harbor, Maine. Rick provides instruction in painting and drawing.

Joan Vienot received state teacher certification in Fine Art from the University of Northern Colorado. She taught art in a public high school in Colorado for 3 years. She moved to Northwest Florida, where she enjoyed a business career, and also taught numerous art classes and workshops to adults. In 2022 Joan moved to Maine to paint the rocky coastline. Joan offers instruction in drawing and plein air painting.

Formerly known as the Holiday Bazaar, Made is a curated seasonal marketplace that highlights the artistry and craftsmanship of Maine makers, offering visitors a unique selection of locally handmade goods.

Thank you to our sponsors Kennebec Savings Bank, the City of Waterville, Central Maine Newspapers, and Back Office Solutions!

A series of seven short fulldome films and a compiled feature film focusing on cultural and Indigenous astronomy. The project is an international collaboration that seeks to build cross-cultural connections and increase understanding of different Indigenous perspectives while demonstrating how our one sky connects us all.

Midcoast Senior College presents its free speaker series, Winter Wisdom, sponsored by The Highlands of Topsham. The seven railroads operating in Maine in the postwar era and an examination of the few key players whose qualifications in leadership led to Maine’s rail industry’s prosperity up to 1980, followed by a look at its downfall and the current network of Maine’s rail service. Geoffrey Doughty is a retired safety consultant to both the railroad and trucking industries. His career included service with Maine Central Railroad, railroad safety director for Maine Central, the Boston and Maine, and Delaware and Hudson railroads under Guilford management’s consolidation of the three.

The Lewiston Public Library, in partnership with ArtVan, will be offering in-person art programs.

Starting on September 10th, the programs will take place on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month from 3:30pm-5:00pm in the Children’s Department for children ages 5-14.

Make Art with ArtVan is free, open to the public, and no registration is required. All art supplies will be provided.

Program takes place on the 3rd floor of the Lewiston Public Library, in the Children’s Department. Children aged 5-8 must be accompanied by an adult.

ArtVan is a mobile art program that brings hands-on creative art opportunities for self-expression, personal growth, and fun. All of their projects aim to inspire art-making with a variety of materials to explore. ArtVan programs engage all age groups, encourage time outside and reduce screen time, help youth stay connected, diminish stress, and provide release for unvented expressions of emotions, such as loss and confusion.

ArtVan began in 2004 and has provided therapeutic art and strengths-based programs to under-resourced neighborhoods.

The Lewiston Public Library is located downtown at 200 Lisbon Street at the corner of Pine Street. More information on ArtVan programs is available by contacting the Lewiston Public Library at 513-3133 or LPLKids@lewistonmaine.gov.