Join Guy Mark Foster (Baldwin scholar and Associate Professor of English at Bowdoin College), Stefania Heim (poet, scholar, translator, editor and educator), Julian Randall (poet with MFA from the University of Mississippi), and Ian Davis (scholar of transnational modernisms, race, gender, and sexuality) for… Continue Reading "James Baldwin Symposium"

The New Commons Project presents a poetry reading by award-winning authors Stefania Heim (poet, scholar, translator, editor and educator), Julian Randall (poet with MFA from the University of Mississippi), and Kristen Case (Associate Professor English at UMF).

Scholar and poet Jericho Brown (Associate Professor and the Director of the Creative Writing Program at Emory University) will discuss his own work, as well as situate James Baldwin's writing within a linage of creative African American cultural criticism. He is is the recipient… Continue Reading "Keynote Event: Jericho Brown, “The Cultural Import of James Baldwin and The Tradition”"

Shay Stewart Bouley, founder of the celebrated digital platform Black Girl in Maine, will introduce a special screening of I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO, an Oscar-nominated 2016 documentary highlighting James Baldwin’s observations on American history and racism. Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, I AM NOT… Continue Reading "The New Commons Film Series: I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO (with Introduction by Shay Stewart Bouley)"

George Orwell’s novel 1984 imagined a future where language was severely constrained and all technology was oriented to state surveillance. In this recorded online discussion, Eryk Salvaggio uses Orwell's book to explore historic relationships between truth, surveillance and artificial intelligence technology today. Artist, researcher… Continue Reading "Online Video Keynote: Eryk Salvaggio, “Nobody is Always Watching You: From Big Brother to Big Data”"

A guided abstract painting workshop to reflect on instances in which our emotions impacted our responses, behavior or decisions. Mays-Sutor is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Art Therapist. She will be introduced with a short talk on how emotions inform our interpretations… Continue Reading "“Two Minutes of Hate/Fear/Love” Art Workshop with Sarah Mays-Sutor"

Join Eryk Salvaggio for a live online discussion of George Orwell's 1984 and modern surveillance technology hosted on Zoom by the New Commons Project.

Whether you are curious about Dungeons & Dragons or a life-long expert, painting miniatures is an exciting way to get into the world-building phenomenon of fantasy roleplaying. In this painting workshop, Blair Fenning will guide us through the basics and advanced tips and tricks… Continue Reading "Dungeons & Dragons Miniature Painting Workshop with Blair Fenning"

Join Bryce Cundick (author and UMF Library Director) for an interactive exploration of the excitement that goes hand-in-hand with fantasy roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons. This event is open only to the UMF community (current students, staff, and faculty), and preregistration is required:… Continue Reading "Bryce Cundick, “The Monster at the End of This Talk”"

Join other members of the UMF community curious about Dungeons & Dragons for a three-session (6-8 pm on 2/19, 2/26, and 3/5) online quest! No experience required, and all gaming will take place on Zoom! Please note that the first session on 2/20 will… Continue Reading "Online Dungeons and Dragons Quest for Beginners"

Join other members of the UMF community for a three-session (6-8 pm on 2/19, 2/26, and 3/5) quest based on your newly-created characters! Space is very limited for this event (which is open only to the current UMF community), so be sure to preregister… Continue Reading "In-Person Dungeons and Dragons Quest for Advanced Players"

Join other members of the UMF community curious about Dungeons & Dragons for a three-session (6-8 pm on 2/20, 2/27, and 3/6) quest! No experience required! Please note that the first session on 2/20 will begin at 5 pm in order to help you… Continue Reading "In-Person Dungeons and Dragons Quest for Beginners"