The Center for Grieving Children presents a community conversation and artist-in-residents project at Portland Public Library‏

The Center for Grieving Children presents a community conversation and artist-in-residents project  

Wednesday, April 1st at 5:00pm in the Rines Auditorium

Portland Public Library

Portland, Maine - Drawing attention to the experiences of families resettled in Maine from countries experiencing war, Portland Public Library will present artwork and a film created by children and adults involved with the Center for Grieving Children and students and an artist-in-residence from the University of Southern Maine.  Both will debut at the library at 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 1, in the Rines Auditorium.

A Community Conversation

With support from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, the Center for Grieving Children's Intercultural Advisory Council created the film, Swimming in a Culture Without Water. It brings viewers direct testimony about the loss, grief, and family changes experienced by children and adults who have come to Maine to escape violence in their original homelands. It’s the third of three awareness-building films the Center has produced with help from service-learning students at the University of Southern Maine. Swimming in a Culture Without Water has won the University’s Kay Lasky Public Service Award.

Following the film, audience members will have the opportunity to talk with members of the Council about its making, their experiences, and their work at the Center. They may also learn more about the Center’s Multicultural Peer Support program, which is a partnership with Portland Public Schools.

Artist-in-Residence Project

On display at the library will be artwork by Traci Molloy, a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based artist and education activist. Molloy, who is being hosted by the USM Art Department and Gallery for an artist residency, will create collaborative artwork with the Center’s Multicultural Program. Seven USM art students who are enrolled in Molloy’s Artist-in-Residence course are assisting Molloy with the artwork, and attending the Center’s program to observe.

About the Center for Grieving Children

For children and families confronting loss, change, and grief when someone close to them dies or is seriously ill, the Center for Grieving Children is an oasis of loving support, with service sites in Portland and Sanford, Maine. Trained volunteers and the support of the local community keep our services free for families. Founded in 1987, the Center today reaches more than 4,000 people annually, and depends on funding from individuals, businesses, foundations, and United Way.

For more information about The Center for Grieving Children, call (207) 775-5216 or go to http://www.cgcmaine.org/