FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe with a semester-long University Forum Series of creative arts, literature, music, film and scholarly events.

The author was born Jan. 19, 1809.

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 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 noon to 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at Lincoln Auditorium, in UMF Roberts Learning Center.

“After Poe” events will include a monthlong 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 opportunity on Thursday, Oct. 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 noon to 1:15 p.m., in Rm. C23, in UMF Roberts Learning Center; and meet him at a reception from 6 to 7 p.m. in the UMF Art Gallery.

Events included are:

Sept. 24 — noon to 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 4 p.m., 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 — Noon to 1:15 p.m., UMF Art Gallery, Discussion of After Poe Exhibit, by Elizabeth Olbert, UMF Art Gallery curator; and Michael Johnson, UMF associate professor of American literature

Oct. 15 — Noon to 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 to 7 p.m., UMF Art Gallery reception for Michael Rissi; 7 p.m., Lincoln Auditorium, UMF Roberts Learning Center, Maine premiere of “Edgar Allan Poe’s Annabel Lee.”

Oct. 22 — Noon to 1:15 p.m., C23, UMF Roberts Learning Center, Poe Reader’s Theater “Spirits of the Dead” performed by Frank and Teresa Roberts; 7 to 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 — Noon to 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, three short films based on Poe stories “Spirits of the Dead.”

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

Nov. 19 — Noon to 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.