Bangor Media Collective

An art event is coming up in Rockland that is not to be missed: Children's book illustrator and author (and the first African American to both author and illustrate a children's book, in 1962), Ashley Bryan, will be showing his vibrant paintings at Archipelago Fine Art, July 2 from 5-8. The Island Institute’s Archipelago Fine Art in Rockland will feature Ashley Bryan in this years’ major summer show, Singing with Truth, from July 2 through September 15 with an opening reception July 2 from 5 to 8 pm. Bryan is an American treasure who forged a path for African-American artists and illustrators and whose work has delighted children all over the world. An acclaimed children's book author of more than 30 books, illustrator, and Islesford resident, Brian’s work is infused with joy and vibrant color.

Echoing award-winning poet Naomi Shihab Nye's comment that Bryan is "a luminous force of nature," Peter Ralston, executive vice-president and co-founder of the Island Institute, is especially thrilled and honored to welcome him to Archipelago. "Ashley's work so perfectly mirrors the man. I don't use the word "reveals,' for to meet Ashley, however briefly, is to stand in the presence of a perfectly open, glowing and loving spirit. The world would be a better place with more Ashleys in it." For more info, contact 594-9209, ext. 133 or visit www.thearchipelago.net.

If more reason to head to Rockland for First Friday is needed, then you're not yet aware that PROJECT TANDEM, an 11,000 mile trip around the US spent collecting stories, videos and photographs from Americans talking about the environment, will be showing at Asymmetrick Arts in Rockland. Asymmetrick Arts will host PROJECT TANDEM on July 2 from 5 to 8 pm. Project Tandem is an 11,000 mile bicycle ride to collect and publish overlooked stories of everyday Americans and their opinions and actions regarding the environment. July 2 will be a day of bicycles, art and the environment in downtown Rockland, with a 6 or 12 mile (your choice) fun ride earlier in the day to benefit the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation and the work they are doing on the Gulf Coast in the wake of the oil spill. Then head over to Asymmetrick Arts from 5 to 8 pm for photographs and audio recordings of Americans talking about the environment by photographers Alan Winslow and Morrigan McCarthy taken during their 11,000 mile bicycle ride around the United States. For more info, contact 594.2020 or visit www.projecttandem.org.