Calendar of Events

Future Leaders' Voices: Student Perspectives on Pluralism and Democracy in America
2026-03-25 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Hannaford Hall — Abromson Community Education Center, 88 Bedford St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Our USM Forum on American Democracy concludes with an evening centered on the voices of students — our next generation of civic leaders. In this culminating event, our Forum Scholars will share their reflections on pluralism and democracy in today’s America.
Forum Scholars are students nominated by USM’s three college deans for their interest in leadership and civic life. Over the course of the year, they participated in a seminar with President Edmondson, engaging deeply with the ideas presented throughout the Forum on American Democracy series. This event will showcase their perspectives, insights, and visions for a more inclusive and democratic future.
Join us in celebrating their contributions — and in listening to the thoughtful, challenging, and hopeful ideas they bring to the table.

This event is free and open to the public, and registration is required in advance.

Meeting friends for the event? Wander over the street to the Husky Brew in the McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success for a drink, coffee, or bite before or after the event!

About the Forum Scholars
The Forum Scholars program brings together a select group of students from across USM’s colleges for a year-long exploration of democratic ideals, civic responsibility, and pluralism. Through readings, discussions, and dialogue with campus and national leaders, these students deepen their understanding of what it means to lead in a complex, diverse society.
Each Forum Scholar will be recognized during the event and presented with a certificate honoring their participation and contributions.

About the Forum
The USM Forum on American Democracy is a year-long public series designed to engage the University of Southern Maine (USM) and the broader community in thoughtful conversations on the foundations and future of a democratic society. Hosted by President Edmondson, the Forum invites multiple perspectives on timely civic topics through keynote speakers, panel discussions, and campus-wide engagement.
Check out the full event series

Special Thanks
This event is made possible by the generous support of the Pond Family Foundation.

Notre Rêve Américain - Movie Showing
2026-03-25 18:00 - 19:00 | Franco-American Collection — LAC, 51 Westminster St, Lewiston, ME, 04240, United States
The Franco-American Collection at the University of Southern Maine invites you to join us at the university’s Lewiston campus at 51 Westminster St., in room 170 on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 6:00 pm for a showing of the Quebecois film Notre Rêve Américain, and the signing of our yearly “Fleur de Lis” partnership agreement with the Quebec Delegation in Boston. The event is free and open to the public, thanks to the generous support of Schooner Estates, TV5MONDE, The Quebec Delegation in Boston, the Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn Riverwatch, and Severin and Cynthia Beliveau.
Notre Rêve Américain follows rapper Biz and globe-trotter Jean-Michel Dufaux as they follow in the footsteps of French Canadians who immigrated to America. The movie will be shown in French with English subtitles.
For more information or to register to attend this event in-person, contact the FAC archivist, Anna Faherty, at anna.faherty@maine.edu, or by phone at (207) 753-6545. If you have questions about disability access or need to request disability accommodations (e.g. sign language interpreters, materials in electronic format, etc.), please contact Anna. Requests should be made as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for the accommodation process.

Birth of a Family - Film Showing
2026-03-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Franco-American Collection — LAC, 51 Westminster St, Lewiston, ME, 04240, United States
The Franco-American Collection at the University of Southern Maine invites you to join us at the university’s Lewiston campus at 51 Westminster St., in room 170 on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 6:00 pm for a showing of the film Birth of a Family, and remarks from Marie-Josée Duquette, Attachée à la Culture et aux Affaires francophones et éducatives with the Quebec Delegation in Boston, the sponsor of this event. The event is free and open to the public, thanks to the generous support of Schooner Estates, TV5MONDE, The Quebec Delegation in Boston, the Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn Riverwatch, and Severin and Cynthia Beliveau.
Birth of a Family follows siblings Betty Ann, Esther, Rosalie and Ben – four of the 20,000 Indigenous Canadian children taken from their families between 1955-1985 to be adopted into white families or live in foster care. As the four siblings piece together their shared history, their connection deepens, and their family begins to take shape.
We had previously advertised another film for 3/25, but due to a last minute and unforeseen licensing issue, we were not able to show it. Consequently we have opted to present this very moving documentary about people who were affected by the “60’s Scoop.” If you have seen conflicting advertisements we apologize!
For more information or to register to attend this event in-person, contact the FAC archivist, Anna Faherty, at anna.faherty@maine.edu, or by phone at (207) 753-6545. If you have questions about disability access or need to request disability accommodations (e.g. sign language interpreters, materials in electronic format, etc.), please contact Anna. Requests should be made as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for the accommodation process.

WORKSHOP: Pop-Up Puppet Theater with Sarah Frechette
2026-03-28 09:00 - 16:00 | Book Arts Studio — Crewe Center for the Arts, 111 Bedford St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Pop-Up Puppet Theater—Fold, Pull, Pop & Perform with Sarah Frechette
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 9 AM – 4 PM (with an hour lunch break; please bring your own lunch or available to purchase at the USM Cafeteria)
Location: KCC’83CBA Book Arts Studio, Studio160, Crewe Center for the Arts, 111 Bedford St. Portland, ME 04103
Workshop Fee: $80 (price includes materials and one ticket to Sarah Frechette’s performance at Mayo Street Arts on Friday, 3/27)
Maximum Enrollment: 15 (middle school ages and Above)

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
In this full-day workshop, participants will learn how to incorporate various mechanisms and rigging points into paper pop-ups to turn them into animatable or puppeteer-able, hand-held (also known as: direct contact), and/or table-top puppets.
Instructor, Sarah Frechette, will also demonstrate how to direct intention, concentration, and energy from within oneself, down the arms, into the hands, and through a paper puppet to give it its own independent focus and breath – the two elements that give any object life.
Participants will experiment with one of the following: immersive experience, forced perspective, or symbolism—to recreate a moment in the form of a short story, knowing that each of these provides different information that shapes and directly influences how their story or memory unfolds.
Finally, participants will present their projects to each other. For some, this will be a new challenge and like stepping outside their comfort zone; however, everyone should feel supported during this brave step so it feels both personally and creatively fulfilling, as well as productive. Each artist needs to gather information individually to continue developing their puppet pieces and to feel empowered outside the classroom.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Sarah Frechette is an award winning puppetry artist, teaching artist and stop-motion animation fabricator. As art director for PuppetKabob, she produces original programs, tours internationally and received the prestigious UNIMA-USA citation of excellence for her Vermont based solo show “The Snowflake Man”. Sarah is also a Vermont Arts Council Teaching Artist creating unique theater experiences for all ages.
Studied from 2002 to 2009 with Legendary German Puppeteer Albrecht Roser absorbing his theories on zen and the art of puppetry. Sarah has exhibited at the Shelburne Museum and is currently on exhibit at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry. Co-producer and host of Vermont’s first and phinest Creemee Dreemee Puppet Slam which swirls forth the underground to the avant-garde. In addition to her personal puppet practice Sarah has worked in stop-motion animation building miniature costumes and large-scale puppets for such films as LAIKA’s “ParaNorman”, and Netflix’s “Wendell & Wild”.
Sarah has been Guest Artist at the University of Connecticut, MECCA+D, Willamette University; and has led the Marionette Performance strand at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center National Puppetry Conference.

PARKING DETAILS:
Parking is available in our University of Southern Maine Portland Garages 1 and 2, or in Parking Lot P6, at a rate of $4.15 per hour. You may reserve your parking ahead of time via the USM Parking Interface. Additionally, the Portland METRO Husky Bus and the METRO #4 pickup/drop-off about a three-minute walk from the Crewe Center for the Arts. An updated bus schedule can be found on the METRO website and bus fair is $2 each way.
