University of New England

UNE's first annual SWAN DAY on March 29th supports women artists
 
PORTLAND, Maine - University of New England’s Art Gallery and Maine Women Writers Collection are hosting the first annual SWAN DAY (Support Women Artists Now Day) on Saturday, March 29, 2008 from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Art Gallery, 716 Stevens Avenue in Portland.

Eight Maine playwrights and one Californian, all women, have been chosen to present their works. This program is free, and open to the public (with donations accepted to benefit the Art Gallery - earmarked to support the work of women artists). Light refreshments will be provided by the Maine Women Writers Collection.
 
This event is hosted by Laura Emack of Prospect, Maine, one of the playwrights featured with her play, "An Army of One."

She is joined by:

• Kennebunk author/playwright Danie Connolly presenting "The Widow’s Snowman."
• Portland playwright Carolyn Gage, "Calamity Jane Sends a Message to Her Daughter."
• Bangor’s Joye Cook-Levy, "Boys Counting Down."
• Cynthia Thayer of Gouldsboro, "A Brief Lunacy."
• Burbank, California’s Robin Byrd, "Me My Fiddle an Momma."
• Karmo Sanders of Scarborough, "The Gold Rush Girls."

And teen writers:

• Kimberly Grindle of Deer Isle, "Busted."
• Julia Clapp from Belfast, "The Present."

All of these plays will be staged readings with a maximum 15-minute time frame each. For more information, contact Laura Emack at lkecpa@prexar.comor (207) 567-3437.
 
New Holiday
A new annual international holiday, SWAN DAY (Support Women Artists Now Day) celebrates women artists on the last Saturday of Women’s History Month in March. As a symbol of international solidarity, events are scheduled all over the world featuring women artists. The long-term goal of SWAN DAY is to inspire communities around the world to find new ways to recognize and support women artists as a basic element of civic planning.
 
SWAN DAY is a grassroots effort that is being coordinated by The Fund for Women Artists through its websites at www.womenarts.org and www.swanday.org. Anyone wishing to post announcements about their SWAN DAY may do so on the website. 

(Press release posted March 10, 2008)