Ashley Bryan Screenings

Documentary on Children’s Book Author Ashley Bryan

June – August 2018 Screenings in Belfast, Great Cranberry and Portland

Portland, ME— The new award-winning film I Know a Man … Ashley Bryan, winner at 14 film festivals, will be screening in three Maine locations: Belfast, Great Cranberry Island and Portland from June through August 2018. See schedule below.

I Know a Man … Ashley Bryan (2016), directed by Richard Kane, is a powerful documentary film featuring one of America’s greatest living African American poets, illustrator and artist, named a Library Lion by the New York Public Library, a recipient of three Coretta Scott King Awards, and a 2017 Newbery Honor for his book “Freedom Over Me” reviewed in the NY Times.

Ashley lives on Little Cranberry Island in view of Mount Desert Island where the local school bears his name. Now available on Vimeo on Demand. Video TRAILER

Born in Harlem in 1923 and drafted in his teens into an all-Black battalion in World War II, Ashley preserved his humanity through drawing and painting. Soon to be 95, he is an award-winning poet/illustrator of 50+ published children’s books, maker of magical puppets from discarded materials and stunning sea glass windows inspired by his African heritage. Ashley urges us to seek unity over division, peace over war and love over intolerance and bigotry.

Reviews:

 “… a vibrant, inspiring, personal portrait of an artist who possesses the desire to help people find their inner child”  — BOOKLIST

“The film is … a wonderful tool to learn about diversity, cultural competency, inclusion and social justice.” — AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION” 

“elegantly constructed … intriguing and palpably warm … vibrant, joyous, evocative, witty, and thoroughly engaging.”  DennisPerkins, MAINE TODAY

Website with more information.

SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018, 2pm– Belfast, ME Senior College Festival of Art, U Maine Hutchinson Center Auditorium, FREE. Director Richard Kane will be in attendance for a Q&A.

SUNDAY, JULY 1, 2018 at 3pm – GreatCranberryHistorical Society, GreatCranberryIsland, ME. IN PERSON Ashley Bryan!! Q&A with director Richard Kane. Contributions welcome for the further distribution of the film. Mail boat from SW Harbor, CranberryCove Ferry.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018 at 6pm – Portland, ME, University of Southern Maine Wishcamper Center, Room 133, the Lee Room. IN PERSON Ashley Bryan!! Q&A with director Richard Kane. Contributions $5-$20 for the further distribution of the film. Seating is limited. This screening follows the August 3^rdPortland Museum of Art opening exhibit of Ashley Bryan’s art.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2018 at 3:00pm– GreatCranberryIsland, ME  GreatCranberryHistorical Society. IN PERSON Ashley Bryan!! Q&A with director Richard Kane. Contributions welcome for the further distribution of the film.  Mail boat from SW Harbor, CranberryCove Ferry.

These events are sponsored by the Union of Maine Visual Artists.

For Further Information Contact:

Richard Kane

207-359-2320

kanelewisproductions@gmail.com

Maine Calling

Today at 1:00

Today’s Maine Calling topic on Maine public radio at 1:00 will be Arts Education. You can listen live at THIS LINK. Guests will be Maine’s 2018 Teacher of the Year, Kaitlin Young, MAAE Executive Director Susan Potter, and Maine Arts Commission Director of Arts Education  Argy Nestor. I understand we may have a student join us as well. Jennifer Rooks will be hosting today’s show. Always informative, interesting, and thought provoking, hopefully you can listen in and consider calling in to the show.

May 31, 2018 Executive Director of the Maine Arts Commission, Julie Richard and Argy were on WERU Maine Arts Alive with Michael Donahue. You can access the ARCHIVE if you’d like to listen.