TOMORROW’S THIRD ANNUAL ASHLEY BRYAN LECTURE FEATURES ARTIST KEITH MORRIS WASHINGTON
Cruise ship trial begins, Park Loop Road reopens, Hospital data breach
BAR HARBOR— The Jesup Memorial Library celebrates the Third Annual Ashley Bryan Honorary Lecture with Keith Morris Washington Thursday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m.
The Annual Ashley Bryan Lecture is named in honor of the late printmaker, author, puppet maker, painter, storyteller, and illustrator Ashley Bryan, who devoted his life to bringing people together through art. This yearly lecture brings a distinguished artist or critic of color whose work reflects similarly this deep interest in racial equity to discuss that work with the Downeast Maine community.
The New York Times’ Clay Risen calls Bryan, “an eclectic artist and children’s book illustrator who brought diversity to an often white-dominated genre by introducing generations of young readers to Black characters and African folk tales.”
He was also a man who generously gave and gave and gave to his community before he died February 4 in Texas last year. He invited people into his home. He invited people into his story and became a part of their stories. He sang out the songs of his world and other’s worlds, engaging readers and viewers in ways that expanded their brains and hearts. Before he died, his art illustrated over 70 books. His puppets came to life on many hands. His collages and stained-glass windows created an interconnected world. He was also a teacher and he lived full time for many years on Little Cranberry Island.
Washington is also an educator and an acclaimed artist who has studied fine art, painting, graphic design, and printmaking at Tufts University School of the Museum of Fine Art, Massachusetts College of Art, and the American River College. He has been a studio foundation professor at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston since 2000.
According to his website, Washington’s art “investigates meaning and metaphor through landscape and portraiture. These landscapes and full-body portraits explore memory, identity, and social themes, that are latent and often obscured by visible features, cultural (mis)understanding, and time.”
The three bodies of work that Washington will share and discuss are:
“Within our Gates: Site and Memory in the American Landscape, an ongoing series of paintings capturing nearly forgotten bucolic crime scenes of lynching sites throughout the United States. The series mediates spaces, investigates a past still present, interrogates tradition, and questions discrepancies extolled in the Hudson River/Luminist paintings.
“Black Lives…, inspired by the Black Lives Matter (BLM) and Say Her Name movements, these slightly larger-than-life portraits of anonymous folks, extol the humanity of people who live in areas where Say Her Name and BLM have been active.
“Marks of a Native Son is a series of self-portraits.”
A QUICK INTERVIEW WITH THE JESUP’S ADVANCEMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS DIRECTOR LILA MILLER ABOUT THE EVENT.
Can you tell me why the honorary lecture means a lot to the library and the community?
Ashley Bryan is one of those special people who leave a massive mark on the world, seemingly simply by being true to themselves. The Jesup hopes to be one of the many institutions that continue to reflect his commitment to art, storytelling, and racial equity.
Ashley was well-known for his artwork and children's books, but his reflections on and experiences with civil rights in this country were an equally critical part of his work. This lecture, which was founded by a group of local residents who deeply admired Ashley and his commitment to racial equity, was designed to honor the combination of arts, racial equity, and civil rights. We were very honored to have Ashley (virtually) attend and address our first lecture on his 98th birthday in 2021, and for the support of his family and the Ashley Bryan Center in the years since.
Did you ever meet Ashley?
I met Ashley quite a few times as a kid growing up here. He came to our elementary school to do arts programs with students, and we went on field trips to his studio on Islesford. He was also just around — at community events and living life. I have formative impressions of him as a kind, creative, and curious person who encouraged others to be the same. He had this wonderful imagination and ability to take anything, from one particular memory of mine it was sticks and shells and rocks found at the beach, and turn it into something beautiful and meaningful and fun.
How do Ashley’s words and images help make us all better people? What do you think his legacy is?
Ashley was a critical and formative voice for the representation of Black, African, and African American voices and stories in children's books. One facet of his legacy is books by and about black people, particularly for children. His books took folktales, hymns, and also some ugly components of history and made them bright, vibrant, and accessible. It started conversations and pushed things that are often kept quiet into the light. Ashley himself was an open, accessible, and vibrant person who made room for other people to be creative and curious and always encouraged everyone to engage with art.
Keith’s art is amazing and thought-provoking with a powerful impact for the viewer. How did the library decide to invite him to be the third honorary lecture?
We have a committee that searches for and reviews candidates for each lecture. Keith was on one of the committee member's radar, who had seen Keith's work when he was an MFA Student at Tufts. The requirement of the lecture is that the speaker be an artist or critic of color and address the theme of arts and civil rights. Keith was unanimously and enthusiastically supported by the committee as an ideal candidate for this series.
Are you excited about the event?
I am very excited about this event. It has become one of the primary events of the Jesup summer schedule, and it always feels a bit like the birthday party it was in 2021.
MORE ABOUT THE EVENT
This event is a hybrid program and registration is required to attend either in person or on Zoom. Register at jesuplibrary.org/events/washington or email eventsignup@jesuplibrary.org. In-person attendees will be encouraged to wear masks. To find out more about the Ashley Bryan Lecture as well as how to support this event in years to come visit jesuplibrary.org/ashleybryan.
OTHER NEWS
Sometimes we don’t have quite enough time to cover everything as much as we would love to. That’s because this isn’t our real job, apologies, but we have to do our real paying work to keep our family fed and sheltered. Maybe this will change in the future (fingers crossed), but here’s a quick recap of big news items happening right now.
APPL vs TOWN OF BAR HARBOR
The federal court case about the constitutionality of the cruise ship limits voted in last November has gone to trial in Bangor.
The trial focuses on the new disembarkation rules that stem from a citizens’ initiative and resulting ballot measure that passed in November. The vote amended the land use ordinance to include cruise ship disembarkation rules to 1,000 passengers or less each day.
It’s scheduled for three days and began yesterday with testimony from the Executive Director of Cruise Maine, Sarah Flink, the Penobscot Bay and River Pilots Association’s Captain David Gelinas, and former Bar Harbor Town Council Chair, Hancock County Commissioner and former U.S. Coast Guardsman, Paul Paradis. Paradis was also the chair of the Cruise Ship Committee, which the current Town Council has placed on hiatus.
According to a Mount Desert Islander article by Malachy Flynn, Paradis said that during his time on the committee, cruise ship visitation grew and that the town and Bar Harbor Chamber were both trying to expand tourism activity; Gelinas spoke for the potential lack of boat captains if Bar Harbor is not consistently using them to support cruise ships; and Flink explained that Bar Harbor is a marquee port that draws in visitors for cruise itineraries and that 95% of Bar Harbor cruise ship visitors travel on ships that hold more than 1,000 passengers.
U.S. District Judge Lance Walker is presiding. The outcome of the trial is expected in August.
PARK LOOP ROAD REOPENS
The Park Loop Road between Kebo Street and Great Meadow in Bar Harbor has reopened to all traffic. The road was closed for two weeks to replace two failed culverts, which contributed to the earlier flooding of Great Meadow and Sieur de Monts.
MDI HOSPITAL DATA BREACH
Both the Mount Desert Islander and Quietside Journal and Data Breaches (and other news outlets) have reported on a data breach at Mount Desert Island Hospital that impacted 24,180 patients.
Data Breaches writes,
“On June 30, Mount Desert Island Hospital in Maine reported a breach to HHS that affected 24,180 patients. The hospital had previously disclosed the incident on June 5, when they posted a notice on their website that said that they had detected unusual activity on their network on May 4. An investigation determined that there had been unauthorized access between April 28 and May 7, 2023.“The types of information that may have been impacted reportedly included name, address, date of birth, driver’s license/state identification number, Social Security number, financial account information, medical record number, Medicare or Medicaid identification number, mental or physical treatment/condition information, diagnosis code/information, date of service, admission/discharge date, prescription information, billing/claims information, personal representative or guardian name, and health insurance information.
“As of June 5, they said they were unaware of any misuse of information.
“In response to the incident, they worked with third-party specialists to re-secure their network, implemented additional security precautions, reviewed policies and procedures related to data protection.
“DataBreaches first became aware of this incident on June 5, but not because of the hospital’s notice. Snatch Team had added a listing to their leak site for the hospital on June 5.”
According to the hospital’s website,
“Please note MDIH began mailing notices of this incident to potentially impacted individuals on June 30, 2023. If you have a question about the notice you received, or would like to enroll in complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services, please call our dedicated assistance line at 1-888-220-4877, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern, excluding major U.S. holidays.
“As mailed notices are delivered, MDIH is receiving a high volume of calls from individuals with questions. We ask that you check the FAQs below to see if your question can be answered prior to calling.”
PAID FAMILY LEAVE
The Maine Legislature has approved a paid family leave program. It will begin in 2026. For our earlier story, click here.
Conners Emerson School Parking Lot Paving Project
On Thursday, July 13, 2023 the paving project will progress, weather permitting. Parking spots will not be available at the entrance on Eagle Lake Road.
ISLAND HOUSING TRUST
According to its website:
“The second phase of Jones Marsh is moving forward! Foundations are being poured, site work continues, and houses will be delivered as soon as the infrastructure is completed.
“We still have one town house available for sale. Learn more at https://www.islandhousingtrust.org/jonesmarsh”