The Freedom & Justice Summit STARTS TOMORROW! Here's everything you need to know.

ALSO: We have only 50 slots left for people to submit their video answering "What does Artivism mean to you?" Join the Host Committee at https://host.artivisminmaine.com/ - claim your spot now!

Artivism in Maine Presents: "Freedom and Justice What's YOUR Art Got To Do With It?"
Four-Day Summit in Downtown Ellsworth

Contact: Larraine Brown – (207) 323-2747
Contact: Robyn Goff – (207) 322-8003
Website: www.artivisminmaine.org

Ellsworth, Maine – Artivism in Maine (AIMe), a nonprofit organization, is proud to announce the "Freedom and Justice Summit – What's YOUR Art Got To Do With It?" taking place November 6–9, 2025, across multiple venues in downtown Ellsworth. This four-day summit brings together artists, performers, and the community to explore the vital themes of freedom and justice through art, conversation, and performance.

SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS:

Friday November 7th - The Grand Theater presents "Part One - Our Youth, Our Future," featuring an eclectic performance lineup. Adding sparkle with her accustomed wit and panache, acclaimed performer Molly Gawler will MC the entire night, introducing Broadway star Daniel May, award winning Poet Performer Lady Brion, exciting local band Hymn for Her, rap artist Hurricane Ike and young local performers who will all share their responses to the themes of freedom and justice. Doors open at 6:00 PM, with the show beginning at 7:00 PM. Admission: $25

Saturday, November 8th - "Part 2 - Our Past, Our Present" at The Grand Theater showcasing the dynamic Gawler Sisters, electrically exciting local bands The Somes Sound and Cant Dog, highly acclaimed spoken word artist Lady Brion, the women from the Healing Garden and other surprise guests, all addressing the themes of freedom and justice. Doors open at 6:00 PM, and the show begins at 7:00 PM. Admission: $25

FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Dates: November 6–9, 2025
Venues: The Grand Theater, The Conscious Cafe, Steamy Buddha Yoga, The Black Moon Public House, Heart of Ellsworth Gallery, The Ellsworth Library, Sanctuary on Church Street and the UU Church in Ellsworth.

Events: Fourteen events, including performances, workshops, discussions, and visual art exhibitions. Pre and post shows; twelve events offer free admission.

Thursday, November 6 – Opening Night

The summit opens at The Grand Theater with a screening of the award-winning documentary InHuMaine, highlighting the crisis of homelessness in Bangor. Following the screening, filmmaker Rogan O'Donnell will lead a discussion.
Doors open at 5:00 PM; film begins at 6:00 PM. Admission: Free

Friday, November 7 – Kickoff & Performance

The day begins with a kickoff party and bonfire at The Conscious Cafe from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, including a celebratory flyover honoring those affected by the opioid crisis.

Saturday, November 8 – Workshops & Performances

Morning workshops at The Conscious Cafe and Steamy Buddha Yoga include:

• Ghee & Abhyanga Oil – Ancient Rituals for Modern Resilience: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

• Free Your Body, Free Your Mind – Ecstatic Dance Experience: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

At 1:00 PM, The Grand Theater hosts "It's Hard To Talk About – Stories of Incarceration in Maine" by The Freedom and Captivity Collective. Doors open at 12:00 PM. Admission: Free

Sunday, November 9 – Closing Events

The following public, free workshops are offered at UU Church Ellsworth (121 Bucksport Road):

• Sound Bath and Discussion with The Healing Garden: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

• The Art & Sovereignty of Freedom with Natasha Sidhu: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

These sessions feature healing sound therapies, community discussion, and explorations of personal sovereignty and creative expression.

ONGOING VISUAL ART EXHIBITIONS:

Exhibitions continue after the summit at Heart of Ellsworth Art Gallery, Ellsworth Library, The Conscious Cafe and The Sanctuary on Church.

TICKETS:

• Friday Night — $25: Buy Friday Tickets

• Saturday Night — $25: Buy Saturday Tickets

• Both Nights — $45 (save $5)

About Artivism in Maine (AIMe): AIMe is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering social engagement and change through the arts, supporting artists and community members in using creative expression to address vital issues and inspire action.

Artivism in Maine invites all members of the community to join this unique summit celebrating the power of art in shaping conversations around freedom and justice.

See you there!
The Artivism in Maine Team

Follow along: https://paragraph.com/@artivism

We're just 2 days away from the Freedom & Justice Summit at The Grand Theater in Ellsworth!

Quick Check: Got Your Tickets?

If not, no worries - here's how to grab them:

Friday Night — "Our Youth, Our Future" — $25
Buy Friday Tickets

Saturday Night — "Our Past, Our Present" — $25
Buy Saturday Tickets

Both Nights — $45 (save $5)

Any Questions?

Seriously, if you have ANY questions about the weekend - parking, what to expect, accessibility, anything - just hit reply. We're here to help.

See You There

This is going to be something special. Art, music, poetry, community - all coming together for freedom and justice.

2 days and counting!

With excitement,
The Artivism in Maine Team

P.S. Follow along at https://paragraph.com/@artivism for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

The response to the Freedom & Justice Summit has been incredible, and we're thrilled that so many of you are as excited as we are.

Tickets are selling, and we want to make sure you don't miss out on what promises to be a legendary weekend in Ellsworth.

Why This Weekend is Unmissable:

• Friday Night: "Our Youth, Our Future"
  This isn't just a performance; it's a movement. Feel the energy as Hurricane debuts a song about Freedom, written just for this night, alongside powerful performances from rising young voices in our community.

• Saturday Night: "Our Past, Our Present"
  A once-in-a-lifetime lineup. Witness the power of Lady Brion, the #1 woman slam poet in the world, as she takes the stage. This is your chance to see a world-class artist right here in Maine.

Seats at The Grand are limited, and we expect them to fill up quickly as the dates get closer.

Don't wait. Secure your spot now.

Get Your Tickets

• Buy Friday Night Tickets ($25)

• Buy Saturday Night Tickets ($25)

• Get a Pass for Both Nights & Save ($45)

Can't make it? You can still make a difference.

Our "Pay It Forward" campaign is going strong. Help us send a local youth or family to the show.

• Donate a Ticket via GoFundMe

This is more than an event; it's a chance to come together and celebrate the power of art and community. We can't wait to see you there.

The Artivism in Maine Team

Hello friend,

You know how sometimes you hear about amazing events happening in Portland or Boston and think "why doesn't stuff like this happen here in Maine?"

This November, it is. But we want to do more than just bring world-class art to Ellsworth—we want to make sure everyone can be a part of it.

Well, guess what—it's happening here. Right here in Ellsworth.

Freedom & Justice Summit

November 6-9 at The Grand Theater

Lady Brion — Maryland's Poet Laureate, #1 woman slam poet globally
Hurricane — Debuting an original "Freedom" song written just for us
Plus many beloved Maine artists

Schedule

Thursday, November 6 (FREE)

5:00 PM — "The Prelude" Documentary
📍 The Grand Theater

Friday, November 7

3:00-5:00 PM — Kickoff Party (FREE)
📍 Conscious Café

7:00 PM — "Our Youth, Our Future" (TICKETED)
📍 The Grand Theater

Saturday, November 8

9:00-11:00 AM — Ayurveda Workshop (FREE)
📍 Conscious Café

11:30-12:30 PM — Ecstatic Dance (FREE)
📍 Steamy Buddha Yoga

12:00-1:00 PM — "Stories of Incarceration" (FREE)
📍 The Grand Theater

7:00 PM — "Our Past, Our Present" (TICKETED)
📍 The Grand Theater

Sunday, November 9 (FREE)

11:00-12:30 PM — Sound Bath
12:30-2:00 PM — "Art & Sovereignty" Workshop

Join Us & Pay It Forward

Friday night, "What’s YOUR Art Got to do with it?", is a youth-focused evening of inspiration. But we know that for many families in Hancock and Waldo counties, purchasing tickets isn't easy, especially while preparing for a Maine winter.

That's where you come in.

We're on a mission to pre-purchase tickets so that any youth or family who wants to attend, can. Your contribution can make their day and fill a seat for a neighbor.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Buy Your Tickets:

• Friday Night — $25: Buy Friday Tickets

• Saturday Night — $25: Buy Saturday Tickets

• Both Nights — $45 (save $5)

2. Pay It Forward: Help us raise funds to buy tickets for local youth and their families. How amazing would it be to fill every seat on Friday night?

Donate a Ticket (or more) via GoFundMe

For more information on all events, head to Artivism in Maine!

Come celebrate the arts and community! November 6-9, Ellsworth, Maine.

Follow: @artivisminmaine

The Artivism in Maine Team