ROCKLAND — PechaKucha Night, an evening of visual storytelling, will take place Friday, Jan. 24, at the Strand Theatre in Rockland. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the program begins at 7 p.m. A reception will immediately follow the event at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA) on Winter Street. 

The presentations will explore the arts through photography, oil painting, and graphic design; dance as a source of wellbeing and community; and the work of community organizations in the areas of ecology and education, partnerships between farms and food pantries, and the creation of affirming communities and support systems for Maine’s LGBTQ+ youth.   

The PechaKucha format is a unique presentation style where eight individuals share their work, ideas, and creative process with a 20-second-per-image, 20-image slideshow. Each of the evening’s presenters will provide a six minute and 40 second glimpse into their craft. As PechaKucha International frames it, these gatherings are a place to “Share your passion, tell your story, find your people.” 

Participants for PechaKucha Midcoast’s January 2025 edition are: Aly Goldstein, Psychologist + DJ; Tiffany Wolff, Creative + Owner of Wolff Creative; Kristie Kosalski, Program Director for Knox County Gleaners; Colin Page, Artist + Owner of Page Gallery; Sue Campbell, Executive Director of OUT Maine; Rafi Baeza, Graphic Designer + Creative Director of the Farnsworth  Art Museum; Tara Elliot, Grants Manager of Hurricane Island Center for Science + Leadership: “Resilience in a Rapidly Changing World;” and Alissa Hessler, Creative and Founder of Urban Exodus and Howe Hill Farm. 

The evening’s emcee will be Craig Watson, Maine Arts Commission. 

The event sponsor is Midcoast Villager. PechaKucha Night Midcoast Maine’s organizing partners include 2A Architects; Archipelago; Center for Maine Contemporary Art; Farnsworth Art Museum; Magpie Creative; Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors; and the Strand Theatre. Graphic design for this edition is by Tessa Rosenberry. 

“PechaKucha Night” was conceived in 2003 in Tokyo as a place for young designers to meet, network and show their work in public. It is now an international phenomenon, with events held in more than 1,200 cities around the world. For more information, visit pechakucha.org. 

For information about presenting at one of the local events, email pechakuchamidcoast@gmail.com. PechaKucha Night Midcoast Maine also offers affordable sponsorships for local organizations and businesses; email pechakuchamidcoast@gmail.com for details. 

Admittance is $5, with advance tickets available through the Strand Theatre at www.rocklandstrand.com. Any remaining available tickets will be sold at the door the night of the event. Advance purchase is recommended; the event routinely sells out. To buy tickets, or for more information, visit www.rocklandstrand.com or call (207) 594-0070.

The Strand Theatre is located at 345 Main Street, Rockland.

CMCA is located at 21 Winter Street, Rockland.