September 18th, 2009

FARMINGTON, ME (September 18, 2009)--University of Maine at Farmington is
celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe (January
19, 1809) with a semester-long University Forum Series of creative arts,
literature, music, film and scholarly events. UMF's Poe/After Poe series
was developed to celebrate Poe as a major American author and to
investigate the qualities of mystery and imagination that have defined his
work and continue to spark the creativity of writers, artists and performers.

Inspired by a renewed critical and historical interest in Poe's literary
work during this bicentennial year, the UMF series is divided into two
categories "Poe" and "After Poe." The "Poe" events are created to be more
scholarly in nature and will feature a lecture by guest scholar Dr. Scott
Peeples from the College of Charleston. Currently co-editor of the journal
"Poe Studies" and author of several books on Poe, Peeples will be speaking
on the famed writer from 12-1:15 p.m., on Thursday, September 24, at
Lincoln Auditorium, in UMF Roberts Learning Center.

"After Poe" events will include a month-long UMF Art Gallery exhibit of
artwork inspired by Poe, a series of "Performing Poe" events , and two
contests inviting new artistic and literary work inspired by the famous
American writer. Additionally, members of the public will have the unique
opportunity, on Thursday, October 15, to see the Maine screening of
director Michael Rissi's newly completed film "Edgar Allan Poe's Annabel
Lee" at 7 p.m., in Lincoln Auditorium, in UMF Roberts Learning Center. They
will also be able to speak with Rissi at a question and answer session that
day from 12-1:15 p.m., in Rm. C23, in UMF Roberts Learning Center; and meet
him at a gala reception from 6-7 p.m. in the UMF Art Gallery.

Events included in UMF's Poe/After Poe University Forum Series:

Sept. 24
12-1:15 p.m.; Lincoln Auditorium, UMF Roberts Learning Center
Presentation by Scott Peeples, Poe scholar
"That Wasn't in the Book, How Movies Made Poe the Master of the "Macabre"

5:30-6:30 p.m.; Devaney, Doak & Garrett Booksellers
Reading from "The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe"

Oct. 1
6-8 p.m.; UMF Art Gallery
Opening of "After Poe: Works of Mystery and Imagination" Exhibit

Oct. 1-28
Tuesday-Sunday, noon to 4pm; UMF art Gallery
Art Exhibit
"After Poe: Works of Mystery and Imagination"

Oct. 1-31
Browsing Room, UMF Mantor Library
Edgar Allan Poe Book Display

Oct. 8
12-1:15 p.m.; UMF Art Gallery
Gallery Talk
"Discussion of After Poe Exhibit," by Elizabeth Olbert, UMF Art Gallery
curator; and Michael Johnson, UMF associate professor of American literature

Oct. 15
12-1:15 p.m.; C23, UMF Roberts Learning Center
Question and answer session with Michael Rissi, director of new film "Edgar
Allan Poe's Annabel Lee"

6-7 p.m.; UMF Art Gallery
Reception for Michael Rissi

7 p.m.; Lincoln Auditorium, UMF Roberts Learning Center
Maine premiere
"Edgar Allan Poe's Annabel Lee"

Oct. 22
12-1:15 p.m.; C23, UMF Roberts Learning Center
Poe Reader's Theater
"Spirits of the Dead," performed by Frank and Teresa Roberts

7-8:30 p.m.; UMF Art Gallery
Just the Scary Parts: selected readings
"Literary Tales of Suspense, Fright and Terror"

Oct. 23
Deadline for Faux Poe and Compo(e)sitions contest entries
For more information, please visit website at http://poeafterpoe.wordpress.com/

Oct. 29
12-1:15 p.m.; North Dining Hall A, UMF Olsen Student Center
Discussion group
"The Murders in the Rue Morgue"

Nov. 1
7 p.m.; Lincoln Auditorium, UMF Roberts Learning Center
3 Short films based on Poe stories
"Spirits of the Dead"

Nov. 12
12-1:15 p.m.; C23, UMF Roberts Learning Center
Faux Poe, Literary Pastiche and Parody winners and runners up will read
from work.

Nov. 19
12-1:15 p.m.; Location to be announced
Compo(e)sitions winners and runners up will read from their work

UMF's Poe/After Poe University Forum Series is sponsored by the UMF Culture
Committee; UMF Department of Sound, Performance and Visual Inquiry and the
UMF Department of Humanities.

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Media Contacts: Michael Johnson, UMF associate professor of American
literature, at 207-778-7424, michael.johnson@maine.edu, or Sarah Maline,
UMF associate professor of art history, at 207-778-7321, or maline@maine.edu.