During the first-ever �ֲ���ý Curates event in March, faculty, staff, and students, and President Garry W. Jenkins, became “curators” as they gathered to select a new addition to the Museum of Art’s permanent collection.

Carrie Cushman, director of the �ֲ���ý Museum of Art, devised the idea for the event, which she hopes will be the first of many. 

“This program enabled us to start a conversation with the community about what it means to be a collecting institution in the 21st century,” Cushman said. “We were able to educate students, faculty, and staff on the strengths of our own collection and to build communal investment in its future.” 

The �ֲ���ý Curates event was centered around the museum’s recent exhibition Shellburne Thurber: Full Circle, which ran from October 2025 to March. Curated by �ֲ���ý Museum of Art Assistant Curator Samantha Sigmon, in collaboration with Thurber, the exhibition featured works from across the New England-based Thurber’s decades-long career as a photographer, primarily capturing images of homes and the people who occupy them.

“Thurber is known for crafting photographs of interior spaces that capture people’s personalities and presence,” Sigmon said.

Prior to the launch of �ֲ���ý Curates, museum staff had selected three works  — respectively titled “Phantom Limb: My Dresser Top at Night,” “Newtonville, MA: Blue Couch with Multiple Portraits of Freud,” and “Self Portrait Sitting on the Porch in New Hampshire” —  from the exhibition for potential acquisition, made possible by the Barbara Morris Goodbody Collection Endowment Fund, to the museum’s collection of 8,000-plus objects. But, they planned to purchase just one work — and that’s where the �ֲ���ý community came in. Cushman and Sigmon invited faculty, staff, and students to the museum for an evening to tour the exhibition and vote on which work they should select. 

“Everyone was visibly excited to take part in voting and hearing more about the artist and each of the three works,” Sigmon said. “The experience truly enlivened our galleries. I’m thrilled that we could lift the curtain regarding how our collections are built and include our audience in such an integral museum responsibility.”

Attendees were eager to learn more about the museum and offer their input on the selected photographs.

“�ֲ���ý Curates was an inspiring and creative way to connect the campus community with the art museum while showcasing its exhibitions,” said Krystie Wilfong, associate college librarian for collection management and scholarly communications. “Hearing Samantha speak about the identified works offered a fascinating behind-the-scenes perspective.”

The event was an opportunity to renew interest in the museum’s permanent collection specifically, while also “demonstrating accountability” to the �ֲ���ý community, Cushman explained. 

“I appreciated Carrie’s explanation that events like �ֲ���ý Curates were meant to be part of an intervention in the colonial practices that had shaped art collecting,” said Charles Nero, Benjamin E. Mays ’20 Distinguished Prof of Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies.

Though each piece received a similar number of votes, attendees ultimately selected Thurber’s “Self Portrait Sitting on the Porch in New Hampshire.”

“Knowing that an artwork I voted for will become part of the permanent collection makes the experience feel especially meaningful,” Wilfong said.

Featuring the photographer herself on a porch, harshly lit by a bright sun, the photo is distinctively different from Thurber’s usual compositions of interior spaces.

“The artist sits on the porch of her family lakehouse, a place incredibly entangled with her life and work. … She is not looking directly at the camera, and we see her in an everyday moment that captures her in a way a more polished portrait might not,” Sigmon said. “To me, it is as if we are right there next to Thurber in mid-discussion. Thurber’s power to transport us into the photograph really draws people in.”

“Self Portrait Sitting on the Porch in New Hampshire” nicely complements the museum’s preexisting repertoire of artist self-portraits and contemporary photography, Sigmon said. It’s also a unique holding from Thurber, who has rarely displayed her portraits of friends, family, and herself despite capturing many throughout her career.

“It was an honor to display this work and her other portraits at the �ֲ���ý College Museum of Art,” Sigmon said. “As the curator, I love that we get to keep a photograph that sets us apart from her previous exhibitions elsewhere.”

Following a Thursday that saw a concert by an acclaimed singer, a novelist’s reading and a look at the state of Hip Hop Nation, a big weekend of can’t-miss culture at �ֲ���ý continues on Friday, Feb. 11:

• ;
• ;
• ;
• . The usual second-Friday contradance follows.

On Saturday, in addition to the Auryn and Rob Players events, .

This cultural extravaganza winds up Monday evening with the second lecture in the .

.

• Story: The �ֲ���ý We’re everywhere!”
• Video: On the
• Image: The
• Slide show: An
• News story: A Rumford Falls Times reporter describes ““
• Video: In a prelude to the Arts Crawl,
• Stories: Previews of theand
• Report: The Arts Collaborative’s recent work (pdf) outlined in President Hansen’s Choices newsletter

The Arts at �ֲ���ý 2011

“The arts are a vital, dynamic daily presence at �ֲ���ý — intense, rigorous, messy, energetic and utterly transformative, like all the best education.” — President Elaine Tuttle Hansen

For more info about the arts at �ֲ���ý, be sure to check out the  Arts 2011 calendar.

and while you are there you can also download a printable version of the schedule!

Hello from �ֲ���ý! Here is a preview of public events at the college in November 2010. Except as noted, these events are open to the public at no charge. (Where there is an admission fee, the cost for the general public appears first, followed by the cost for students and seniors.)

For a printable version: If you’re viewing this in the e-mail update, please click the headline above to go to the Events Schedule website. At the website, go to the bottom of the page and click “print”  (as in “print this page”) for the printable format.

For up-to-date events information throughout the month, see our page. Questions or comments? Contact events editor Doug Hubley at this calendar@bates.edu.

Monday, Nov. 1

7pm

Theater: The Education of a Harvard Guy. John Perdew performs this play about his decision to drop out of Harvard to participate in the civil rights movement. He and three others were arrested in Americus, Ga., and became known as the Americus Four. Also performing is Rutha Mae Harris of The Freedom Singers. A panel titled Leaving College for Good, composed of students who take breaks from �ֲ���ý to do good works, follows. The 2010 Bertha May Bell Andrews Lecture is sponsored by the Multifaith Chaplain’s office. FMI: 207-786-8272.
Chase Hall Lounge

Tuesday, Nov. 2

12:30pm

Noonday Concert: �ֲ���ý Jazz Combo, led by trumpeter Adam Dolin ’12. FMI: 207-786-6135 or this olinarts@bates.edu.
Olin Arts Center Concert Hall

4:10pm

Chemistry seminar: Drug Discovery and Development by Steve Kates ’83, vice president of research and development at the Bay State pharmaceuticals firm Ischemix. Sponsored by the chemistry department. . FMI: 207-786-6294.
Carnegie Science Building, Room 204

Wednesday, Nov. 3

6–9�賾

Figure drawing sponsored by the �ֲ���ý College Museum of Art. Artists should bring drawing board and supplies. Easels provided. Admission: $7 (free for �ֲ���ý students).
Olin Arts Center, Room 259

7:30pm

Reading: Award-winning poet, scholar and novelist Meena Alexander reads from her work. Born in India, Alexander has published six volumes of poetry, the acclaimed memoir Fault Lines (2003), two novels and Poetics of Dislocation, which examines the creative process. Sponsored by the English department and the Learning Associates Program. FMI: 207-786-8294.
Chase Hall Lounge

Friday, Nov. 5

7:30pm

Theater: Hotel Universe, a witty and delightful comedy of manners by the author of the film classic The Philadelphia Story. Professor of Theater Paul Kuritz directs. Tickets are $6/$3 and available at . FMI: 207-786-6161.
Pettigrew Hall, Gannett Theater

8pm

Global Lens: The international film series presents Ocean of an Old Man (India, 2008, 84 min.). Sponsored by the �ֲ���ý College Museum of Art. Admission: $5. FMI: 207-786-6135 or this olinarts@bates.edu.
The Ronj, 32 Frye St.

Saturday, Nov. 6

2 & 7:30pm

Theater: Hotel Universe (see Nov. 5).
Pettigrew Hall, Gannett Theater

Sunday, Nov. 7

2pm

Theater: Hotel Universe (see Nov. 5).
Pettigrew Hall, Gannett Theater

5:30pm

Spiritual gathering: Protestant worship service emphasizing gospel music, led by the gospel choir. The Rev. Bill Blaine-Wallace, Multifaith Chaplain, leads the service with faculty, staff and students participating. All are welcome. FMI: 207-786-8272.
�ֲ���ý College Chapel

7pm

Poetry festival: Translations 2010: Cross-Cultural Awareness Through Poetry. A five-day festival featuring poets from around the globe reading their work in the original languages; simultaneous translations provided. Day One: Franco-American poet Susann Pelletier and Somali poet Omar Ahmed. Funded by a Mellon Innovation Grant and hosted by �ֲ���ý’ language programs. FMI: 207-786-8293 or this gdumais@bates.edu.
Chase Hall Lounge

Monday, Nov. 8

6pm

Global Lens Film: Ocean of an Old Man (see Nov. 5).
The Ronj, 32 Frye St.

7pm

Poetry festival: Translations 2010. Day Two: poets Emeric de Monteynard of France and Cristián Gómez Olivares of Chile (see Nov. 7).
Edmund S. Muskie Archives

7:30pm

Panel presentation: The Role of Journalism in a Democracy. Distinguished journalists discuss journalism’s place in our political system, the impact of new media and the criteria for excellence in the profession. Taking part: Rex Rhoades, executive editor of the Lewiston Sun Journal; Thomas Fiedler, dean of Boston University’s College of Communication and former executive editor of the Miami Herald; and Justin Ellis, a staff member at the Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard University and former writer and multimedia producer for the Portland Press Herald. Final installment in the Harward Center for Community Partnerships’ Civic Forum series. FMI: 207-786-6202.
Chase Hall Lounge

7:30pm

Theater: Hotel Universe (see Nov. 5).
Pettigrew Hall, Gannett Theater

Tuesday, Nov. 9

12:30pm

Noonday Concert: Emilia Dahlin, the energetic, acclaimed and well-traveled singer-songwriter from Portland. FMI: 207-786-6135, this olinarts@bates.edu or .
Olin Arts Center Concert Hall

7pm

Poetry festival: Translations 2010. Day Three: poets Ana Merino of Spain and Lothar Quinkenstein of Germany (see Nov. 7).
Edmund S. Muskie Archives

Wednesday, Nov. 10

4:10pm

Lecture: Molecular Biology of Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera, by Ronald Taylor, professor of microbiology and immunology at Dartmouth College. Sponsored by the chemistry department. FMI: 207-786-6294.
Dana Chemistry Hall, Room 300

6–9�賾

Figure drawing sponsored by the �ֲ���ý College Museum of Art (see Nov. 3).
Olin Arts Center, Room 259

7pm

Poetry festival: Translations 2010. Day Four: poets Guangxin Zhao of China and Irina Mishinski of Russia (see Nov. 7).
Edmund S. Muskie Archives

8pm

Concert: The Kinsey Sicks, self-described as “America’s favorite dragapella beautyshop quartet,” return to �ֲ���ý. These satirical singers have performed nationwide, recorded six CDs and appeared on TV’s 20/20 and America’s Got Talent. Limited seating. Tickets cost $6 and must be purchased in advance: visit . Sponsored by the Chase Hall Committee. FMI: 207-795-7496 or this tickets@bates.edu.
Olin Arts Center Concert Hall

Thursday, Nov. 11

7pm

Poetry festival: Translations 2010. The closing session features all poets taking part in the festival (see Nov. 7).
Chase Hall Lounge

7:30pm

Concert: Elizabeth Cook, described by The New York Times as “a sharp and surprising country singer [who] writes most of her own songs, the best ones taking one person and unpacking . . . elegant detail after elegant detail.” Admission: $12/$8 or $15/$10 at the door. FMI: 207-786-6135, this olinarts@bates.edu or .
Olin Arts Center Concert Hall

Friday, Nov. 12

8pm

Contradance: Traditional New England folk dancing to the band Frigate. No experience needed; all dances taught and called. Beginners’ workshop, 7:30pm. Admission: $6. Sponsored by the Freewill Folk Society.
Chase Hall Lounge

8pm

Global Lens: The international film series presents Ordinary People (Serbia, 2009, 79 min.). Sponsored by the �ֲ���ý College Museum of Art. Admission: $5. FMI: 207-786-6135 or olinarts@bates.edu.
The Ronj, 32 Frye St.

Saturday, Nov. 13

Noon

Football vs. Hamilton.
Garcelon Field

5pm

Dance: The �ֲ���ý College Modern Dance Company performs works by Monica Bill Barnes, Niles Ford, Debi Irons and acting director of the dance program, Rachel Boggia. Admission: $6/$3. FMI: 207-786-6161.
Schaeffer Theatre

7:30pm

Concert: For the second consecutive season, the orchestras of �ֲ���ý and Bowdoin colleges combine forces for a concert at each institution. Conducted by Hiroya Miura of the �ֲ���ý faculty, the program’s featured work is Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, with world-renowned pianist Frank Glazer, artist in residence, as soloist. Free; tickets required. FMI: 207-786-6135 or this olinarts@bates.edu.
Olin Arts Center Concert Hall

Sunday, Nov. 14

2pm

Dance: �ֲ���ý College Modern Dance Company (see Nov. 13).
Schaeffer Theatre

5:30pm

Spiritual gathering: Protestant worship service (see Nov. 7).
�ֲ���ý College Chapel

7:30pm

Concert: Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center performers Gil Kalish and Wu Han, two of New York’s finest pianists, and percussionists Daniel Druckman and Ayano Kataoka perform landmark 20th-century works: Bartok’s Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion (1937), and George Crumb’s Music for a Summer Evening (1974). Tickets are $10/$4 and available at . FMI: 207-786-6135 or this olinarts@bates.edu.
Olin Arts Center Concert Hall

Monday, Nov. 15

6pm

Global Lens: Ordinary People (see Nov. 12).
The Ronj, 32 Frye St.

7:30pm

Dance: �ֲ���ý College Modern Dance Company (see Nov. 13).
Schaeffer Theatre

Tuesday, Nov. 16

12:30pm

Noonday Concert: Salomé Sandoval is a singer and instrumentalist from Venezuela who performs early music on a variety of lutes and classical guitars. FMI: 207-786-6135, this olinarts@bates.edu or her .
Olin Arts Center Concert Hall

Wednesday, Nov. 17

3pm

Blood drive: An American Red Cross blood drive is sponsored by the �ֲ���ý College Emergency Medical Services. For more information call 207-775-2367.
Chase Hall Lounge

6–9�賾

Figure drawing sponsored by the �ֲ���ý College Museum of Art (see Nov. 3).
Olin Arts Center, Room 259

7:30 pm

Reading: Ander Monson, author of the poetry volume Vacationland (Tupelo Press, 2005) and the nonfiction Vanishing Point (Graywolf Press, 2010), reads from his work. The Language Arts Live series is sponsored by the English department, the Learning Associates Program, the �ֲ���ý Humanities Fund, the programs in African American studies and American cultural studies, and the John Tagliabue Poetry fund. FMI: 207-786-6256 or 207-786-6326.
Chase Hall, Skelton Lounge

Thursday, Nov. 18

7:30pm

Theater: Students in Paul Kuritz’s directing course direct and perform plays from the Fusion Theater Company of Albuquerque, N.M., founded by �ֲ���ý alumnus Dennis Gromelski ’88. Free; no reservations. FMI: 207-786-6161.
Pettigrew Hall, Gannett Theater

Saturday–Sunday, Nov. 20–28

Thanksgiving Recess: No classes. Administrative offices are open through Nov. 24.

Tuesday, Nov. 23

5:30pm

Women’s basketball vs. Southern Maine.
Alumni Gymnasium

7:30pm

Men’s basketball vs. Southern Maine.
Alumni Gymnasium

Monday, Nov. 29

7pm

Lecture: Moroccan-born artist Lalla Essaydi, whose success in producing work at the interface of two cultures makes both her art and career fascinating, discusses her exhibition Les Femmes du Maroc at the Museum of Art (see below). FMI: 207-786-6158.
Olin Arts Center, Room 104

Tuesday, Nov. 30

12:30pm

Noonday Concert: Performer TBA. FMI: 207-786-6135 or olinarts@bates.edu.
Olin Arts Center Concert Hall

4pm

Biology seminar: Dr. Johann Peter Gogarten, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut, speaks on horizontal gene transfer in bacteria and what this means for evolutionary relationships. Students will also have a chance to learn about grad school opportunities at UConn. Sponsored by the biology department. FMI: 207-786-6490.
Carnegie Science Hall, Room 204

�ֲ���ý College Museum of Art

Museum hours: 10am–5pm Tuesday–Saturday. FMI: 207-786-6158 or this museum@bates.edu

Through Dec. 18
Les Femmes du Maroc: An Exhibition by Lalla Essaydi: The images in Essaydi’s most recent large-format photographs present Moroccan women in staged narratives. These women inhabit a place that is literally and entirely circumscribed by text, written by the artist on their bodies, apparel and surroundings. The images, based on 19th-century Orientalist paintings, critique contemporary social structures, but also confront historical attitudes that have helped construct representations of Arab women. Made possible by the Lois and Richard England Family Foundation and the Davis Family Foundation.

Metamorphoses: A Collaboration with Ovid by Wally Reinhardt: Reinhardt has focused his work solely on interpreting Ovid’s Metamorphoses since the 1980s. His gouaches vividly bring to life many of the favorite characters of classical mythology. Reinhardt’s exhibition is offered in co-sponsorship with the programs in classical and medieval studies and in interdisciplinary studies, and by the Division of Humanities.