Join the University of Southern Maine Art Galleries and the University of Southern Maine Art Department as we welcome Spring 2026 Artist-in-Residence, Peter Bruun for a campus lecture. Working under the aegis of Bruun Studios, Peter Bruun is an artist, writer, curator and cultural organizer. For over 30 years, he has pursued a practice making paintings and drawings that have inspired him to create community-engaged art exhibitions, arts-based social justice projects, humanistic online publications, and innovative organizations using art to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

In this virtual talk, Amber N. Wiley, PhD, discusses both her scholarly and pedagogical approaches to analyzing American history through the lens of the Afro-American Bicentennial Corporation (ABC).

The presentation explores a complex history and deeper understanding of the uniqueness and importance of Back Cove exploring how it has transformed from receiving waters of industrial waste and untreated sewage to a model of stewardship action that has just begun. This will be highly interactive as all members of the audience will be invited to describe what YOU love most about the transformation of Back Cove.