BRUNSWICK – Artists, writers and performers will discuss their artistic process in four, free monthly programs January through April at Curtis Memorial Library.

The programs are being presented again this year by the Brunswick Area Arts & Cultural Alliance and the library at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month.

An open mike opportunity to share is part of each evening. People may contact the arts alliance to find out how to get on the mike through e-mail to mail@baaca.org or by calling 798-6964.

The four programs: Jan. 14, “Literary Arts Night” in collaboration with the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance; Feb. 11, “Visual Arts Night” in collaboration with the Center for Maine Contemporary Art; March 10, “Performing Arts Night” with the Maine Jazz Alliance and Maine Composers Forum; and April 14, “Art in Craft Media Night” with the Maine Crafts Association.

The Literary Arts Night will feature three writers who will read and discuss their works and the creative writing and publishing process. There will be a presentation from Wes McNair, who has published several volumes of poetry, most recently “Fire,” winner of the 2003 Jane Kenyon Award for outstanding book of poetry. The director of the creative writing program at the University of Maine at Farmington, McNair has received fellowships from the Rockefeller, Fulbright and Guggenheim foundations.

Also featured will be writer Ellen Cooney, whose fiction has appeared in numerous publications, including The New Yorker. Her fifth novel, “Gun Bald Hill,” a novel about Maine in the early days of the American Revolution will be published next summer.

Deborah Joy Corey will read and discuss her recent works. Corey was born in Canada and now lives on the Maine coast. Her short stories have appeared in many magazines and journals. Her first novel, “Losing Eddie,” won the prestigious W.H. Smith Books in Canada First Novel Award. Her most recent novel is “The Skating Pond.”

The Feb. 11 Visual Arts Night will feature three artists: Christine Macchi, Lucy Barber and Amy Stacey Curtis.

Macchi, an accomplished fiber artist, is executive director of Maine Fiberarts based in Topsham. As an artist, her emphasis is on hand-spinning, knitting, weaving and sewing. She teaches and demonstrates spinning and knitting. She is currently planning “The Year of Fiber 2004” show.

Barber, a painter, received a bachelor of fine arts degree from Pratt Institute and earned a master’s of fine arts degree from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. Most recently, she studied at the International School of Painting, Drawing, and Sculpture in Montecastello di Vibio, Italy. She has exhibited extensively and her studio is in Fort Andross in Brunswick.

Curtis, an installation artist, moved to Maine in 1986. A resident of Gray, her original interest was mathematics. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Maine with bachelor degrees in studio art and advertising and from Vermont College of Norwich University with a master’s in art and psychology. Although her focus is installation, her paintings are in private collections internationally.