Harlow for the Hall – an exhibition at Johnson Hall in Gardiner

“Great Falls Plaza Lewiston/Auburn” B&W (film) hand printed photograph by Cindy Rehagen Langewisch

“Tom French Mending the
Trawler Net” Oil, by Michael Vermette

Exhibition dates: April 10 –  May 22, 2015

Gardiner, Maine - In celebration of Johnson Hall’s 150th Anniversary, two central Maine arts nonprofits Harlow Gallery and Johnson Hall proudly present Harlow for the Hall, an art exhibition showcasing fifty-two Maine artists, April 10 through May 22, 2015 at Johnson Hall at 280 Water Street in Gardiner.

The public is invited to meet the artists at an opening reception on Friday, April 10 from 5-8pm, with complimentary refreshments and a cash bar.  Proceeds from art sales will benefit two cornerstones of arts and culture in central Maine with over 200 years of history between them: Johnson Hall and the Harlow Gallery.  There will be a second public reception during Gardiner’s spring Art Walk on Friday, May 1st.

Harlow for the Hall is on view during box office hours, Tuesday – Friday, 12:00 pm-3:00 pm, during events, and by appointment, call 207-582-7144.

Participating artists by town are:

Auburn: Denae Spencer

Augusta: Douglas Houle & Keith Ludden

For Black History Month, Maine State Archives highlights 150th Anniversary of 13th Amendment Abolishing Slavery

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine State Archives is celebrating Black History Month by commemorating the State's 150th anniversary of ratifying the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery. 

"We take the abolition of slavery for granted, especially in New England because New England was sort of the hot bed of the abolition movement," said Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, but "the adoption of the 13th Amendment was a crowning achievement, not only of the abolition movement, but also the prosecution of the war." 

The Maine State Archives has created a display of historic documents from the State's February 1865 ratification process, which is featured this month in the Senate Majority Office at the State House and in the lobby of the Archives, in the Cultural Building. In addition, a video of Secretary Dunlap and State Archivist David Cheever discussing the anniversary is available on the department's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnZ7LSdDcYOIbCQgSeAwisQ .

Documents here shown in the display and video include the letter to the 44th Legislature from Gov.