UMPI presents art show, film

    PRESQUE ISLE — The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Fine Art Gallery will present the exhibition “The Art of Tim Finnemore” from March 7 through April 9, providing an up-close look at the paintings and drawings of the northern Maine-based artist.     Tim Finnemore (1951-2001) was born and raised in Aroostook County, growing up on a potato farm in Limestone. His love of art came early — he drew since childhood — and stayed with him throughout his life. He earned his bachelor’s degree in art from the University of Maine at Presque Isle in 1973.
    After graduation, Finnemore worked in Massachusetts for Polaroid. He returned to northern Maine in 1976, taught art courses for young people at UMPI and found a job at the Northern Maine Regional Planning Commission, (now known as Northern Maine Development Commission), as a draftsman. His duties there grew to include management of their graphic arts department. He worked with computer-aided graphics and design. He also had his own part-time home business doing graphic design. He did a significant amount of work for Cary Medical Center, for example, designing the signage for the new hospital and the graphics for their annual report for several years.
    Throughout his life, Finnemore devoted himself to painting and drawing. While Finnemore’s professional work consisted of design and graphic art, it was the painting and drawing of the people, places and things that were deeply inspirational to the artist and remained his passion. His private hideaway on a lake was where he produced an ongoing body of work: the seasonally changing perspective; the changes in light, reflections, shadows and the spirit of his emotional connection becomes tangible in many of these paintings. The light reflecting from the water, onto the duck and back to the viewer is caught in Finnemore’s energetic and considered brush strokes.
    Finnemore explored a variety of media, with painting occupying much of his focus. He also worked in the sculptural world, producing organically-shaped figures carved from wood. Much of his early work involved highly-detailed and intricate painting on wood panels which connected his focus of the natural world and art.
    “Finnemore’s great love of nature and the natural beauty of Aroostook County inspired his vast body of creative work,” Sandra Huck, Reed Art Gallery director, said. “He created precise wildlife drawings, vivid landscapes in acrylics, portraits in watercolor, as well as exploring a variety of other mediums. We’re very pleased to offer an exhibition filled with the work of one of the University’s alumni.”
    A reception will be held in the Reed Fine Art Gallery on Sunday, March 7 from 3-6 p.m. with the family of Mr. Finnemore. The public is invited to attend. There is no charge and light refreshments will be served.
    The Reed Fine Art Gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gallery is closed Sundays and university holidays. For more information about this event, contact Huck at 768-9611.
French Club film
    PRESQUE ISLE — The French Club of the University of Maine at Presque Isle will offer a free showing of the film “La Vie en Rose” on Wednesday, March 3, at 8 p.m. in Room 105 Folsom Hall. The film, shown in French with English subtitles, depicts the momentus life of the legendary French chanteuse Edith Piaf and is named after her signature song, “La Vie en Rose.” It won five Césars awards, including one for best actress, and Marion Cotillard won an Academy Award for her performance, marking the first time an Oscar had been given for a French language role. The showing is free and the public is invited to attend. For further information, contact Professor Claire Davidshofer at 768-9493.
Future of higher education
    PRESQUE ISLE — The University of Maine at Presque Isle will offer a public seminar titled “University at the Crossroads: Hopes and Challenges for Higher Education,” presented by Associate Professor of Social Studies Education Dr. Tomasz Herzog from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, in UMPI’s Normal Hall Faculty Lounge. Herzog’s talk will focus on the unprecedented changes affecting higher education due to the recent economic crisis. He will argue for a reexamination of the role of the University in its mission to remain a vital contributor to democracy and not fall prey to the forces of market-driven discourse. All are invited to bring a lunch and join in the discussion. For information, contact Dr. Lynn Eldershaw at 768-9749.