March news updates and Lecture

Mahala Bishop's "Book Talk" was well attended with about 24 interested Library patrons, Polly(Mahala Bishop) and her companion and friend Pascal(a friendly and well behaved yellow lab), she answered questions about Bipolar Disorder and gave us her personal insight to this disorder.It was filmed and recorded by Leslie MacVane and crew from across the street for Channel 5 public broadcasting.Leslie said that it would air on April 5 at 7:00 and will also air many other time but not sure of the schedule as of now.The picture is of Lesley's interview with Polly.Monday March 22,2010 is the MCMA lecture "Natural Wonders of the Northeast Coast" at 7:30 in the McAuley high school auditorium,a description of the lecture below.Hope to see you there,the last lecture about Iran today was very interesting and one not to have missed, but the video should be in the Mechanics' Library. I am posting some pictures of the book talk on our web site.

When you think of the Northeast Coast, you usually think of big cities and crowded beaches, but there are many ‘Natural Wonders” to explore. John returns to take us on a 1500 mile adventure, beginning in busy Virginia Beach and ending at the Maine/Canadian border. Along the way we observe many animals, birds, and endangered species. We also will be experiencing Kayaking, sailing, aerial tours, lobstering,crabbing and over 30 lighthouses. This will be a true adventure for all ! We also have a chance to welcome to Maine Jodie Ginter,co-producer of John Holod Productions

March 8,2010, first spring travel lecture-"Inside IRAN Today" and other events

Book Talk Lunch Break with MCMA member Mahala B Bishop,Thurs. March 11,@noon,Mahala will discuss her book"Sunshine & Shadows,my battle with bipolar disorder". Bring your lunch, Drinks and dessert provided.FMI you can call Pat during library hours@773-8396,snow date will be Thursday March 18,2010'

First Friday artist on March 5th will be -Jill Cournoyer, showing her Water Impressions and Photography.

Some more info on the Paintings of Stacy Tolman that hang in the stairwells, and a big thanks to Maureen O'Brien from the Museum of Art in Rhode Island who responded to our inquiry.

The two murals by Stacy Tolman were, interestingly, based on work by two other artists. His patron must have requested these to set the tone for his dance studio.

The first is a version of a painting by the 19th century Spanish painter Palmaroli, the second by the American painter Toby Rosenthal who studied in Munich. Both seem to represent dancing "in olden times" -- a type of nostalgic realist subject that was very popular in the 19th century, even though it depicts earlier eras.

I am attaching jpegs of the "sources" that Tolman copied.

Maureen C. O'Brien

Curator of Painting and Sculpture

Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design

Providence, RI 02903

Work continues on the exhibit in the Portland room of the Portland Public library featuring the history of the MCMA.Abraham hopes to have it done in time for the library opening in the second week of April.

FEBRUARY NEWS IN THE MECHANICS LIBRARY

First Friday February 5th Crystal Erickson will be exhibiting her Photography between 5::00-8:00 pm in the Mechanics Hall Library and during Library hrs. the rest of the month.We have been researching artist Stacy Tolman(1860-1935) who painted two large mural(5'x8') that are now hanging in the stairwell leading up to the library on the second floor and Studio 1 photography on the third floor.We believe that they used to decorate the walls of the third floor Ballroom, beginning with Melvin B. Gilbert's Dance Academy in 1890.Gilbert also has a painting that stills hangs on the wall in Studio 1,the former ballroom which is dated 1892.The Tolman paintings probably also date from this era and has not been confirmed yet.Information that has been found on these two artists can be found in our library.We are gathering pictures and artifacts to embellish the Portland Room's collection for an exhibit on our Mechanics Hall in the Portland Public library.It should be ready by April1st in time for reopening of the remodeling work that is now going on phase one.Stop by and see Pat and check out the latest news and books in the library and maybe a cookie.

The picture on the left is looking east on Congress St. at Mechanics Hall ca.1878 and the one on the right is ca. 1872

MCMA QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION

A quarterly meeting of the Association will be held in the library at 9:00 am on January 7,2010.

Member and library patron, Nancy Noble has written a great article in the Portland Monthly magazine-"Secret Gardens-Visit hidden enclaves where reading is sexy".some extra pictures that do not appear in the magazine can be viewed in the Portland Magazine web site-http://www.portlandmonthly.com/portmag/2009/11/december-2009/

MCMA LIBRARY OPEN HOUSE,WITH GUEST SPEAKER-COLIN SARGENT

museum of Human Beings

Colin Sargent

Maine Charitable Mechanic Association

Library Open House 11-2:00-THURSDAY-DEC.17,2009

Reading at 12:00

Author

Colin Sargent gives a reading from his book at noon in the MCMA library during our holiday open house. The public is

welcome to meet the author and find out whatever happen to (Lewis&Clark’s guide ) Sacagawea’s infant son."There's so much to recommend this book. Fans of American historicals such as James Thom or Allan Eckert will definitely enjoy this, but so would fans of T. C. Boyle

or William Vollmann or WayneJohnston as well.

Literate historical Americana--what a treat!"-- Amazon.com

Colin

Sargent is a playwright and author of three

books of poetry. A graduate of the United

States Naval Academy, he has been awarded

the Maine individual artist fellowship in

literature and earned a Stonecoast MFA in

creative writing. His screenplay Montebello

Ice is under option at Gideon Films. The

Portland, Maine resident is founding editor

and publisher of award-winning Portland

Magazine as well as a board member of the

literacy organization Maine Reads. Museum of Human Beings is his first

novel. According to Publishers Weekly,

“Playwright Sargent’s debut novel is a

stylish look at the fate of Sacagawea’s baby

son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau… An

impressively rounded portrait of the laidback,

introspective, nomadic Baptiste, this

novel will satisfy fans of American history.”

MAMEALIE BEAUTIFUL IN THE MCMA LIBRARY

Jen and Amelie davis displayed some wonderful & fun works of art for display and to sell.It was well attended and received.Their works will be on display during the month of Dec. during Library hours,stop in and visit Pat and maybe you'll find a couple of" have to have" things for Christmas.I saw a few things that found a new home at the end of the evening.A few more pictures are posted on the MCMA site-MAINE CHARITABLE MECHANIC ASSOCIATION -It was a fun show with something for everybody ,thanks Jen and Amalie and MCMA libraian Pat Larabee for all of their work.

"MAMELIE'S BEAUTIFUL"-Jen & Amelie Davis

Strolling Portland's downtown during this Holiday season Art Walk, make sure you take the time to stop into Mechanic's Hall (519 Congress St.)to the second floor library and visit Jen and Amelia and their presentation of "Mamelie's Studio"-books,paintings,birds,photos,clay,quilts and books.

5-8:00 pm.