a presentation by MHC Undergraduate Fellow Jordan Ramos
5:00 PM
IMRC Center 104
University of Maine, Orono, ME
Jordan Ramos is a student in the Honors College, a Studio Art and Environmental Science double major, and McGillicuddy Humanities Center Undergraduate Fellow whose project, Athletes of the Rake: A Tribute to the People Who Do the Work of a Shrinking Harvest in the Wild Blueberry Fields of Maine examines the interconnected relationship between the fields and communities practicing the harvest tradition of hand-raking. For this research, Ramos will be advised by Dr. Lily Calderwood, UMaine Cooperative Extension Wild Blueberry Specialist and Assistant Professor of Horticulture. Ramos’s MHC Undergraduate Fellowship is supported by the Echoes of Maine Humanities Fund.
Info:
Jordan Ramos’s body of work illustrates the wild blueberry harvest heritage in Maine, focusing on the tradition of hand-raking. Her series of watercolor paintings, paired with perspective quotes, speaks to her experience traveling across the blueberry fields of the Midcoast and Downeast regions of Maine to meet with the people who come for this special harvest. Through an interdisciplinary lens that combines art, storytelling, and ecology, Jordan’s creative research project aims to highlight the underserved communities who are a part of this heritage practice today: small farmers, migrant and local rakers, and the Passamaquoddy and Mi’kmaq tribal people. Her work focuses on labor, ecological relationships, and community connections.
All are invited to see Jordan’s artwork on display in the IMRC from November 19th to 24th and listen to her talk about her creative project on Monday, November 24th at 5pm in the IMRC. (Please note that the IMRC will also be hosting other presentations and classes during this time. Planning your visit in advance is encouraged.)
For more details, email mhc@maine.edu