Art in the Park in Veazie to celebrate dam removal with flaming sculpture
The town of Veazie and University of Maine sculptor Greg Ondo are commemorating the removal of the Veazie dam with a two-hour event Sept. 30 in Riverside Community Park.
The free public event, Art in the Park, from 5–7 p.m., will feature live fiddle music by Ellie May Shufro, a demonstration by fiber artist Samantha Jones, and talks by Native American storyteller James Francis and UMaine associate professor of freshwater fisheries Stephen Coghlan. A free barbecue will be served by members of the Veazie Fire Department.
The activities lead up to Ondo’s performance art presentation, “The Salmon Ladder.” Ondo, a UMaine assistant professor of art, has created a 6-foot tall sculpture that will be set ablaze to end the ceremony.
“We hope the event will be a fun, engaging tribute to the revitalization of the river and the community through the arts,” says Ondo, who lives in Veazie.
The rain date is Oct. 14 at the same time. More information is available by emailing Ondo at gregory_ondo@umit.maine.edu, or project manager Tilan Copson at tilan.copson@gmail.com.