LEWISTON — The Arts and Humanities program at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College recently held a “Poetry, Peace Potluck,” a day-long celebration of the arts. The program was organized by Professor Barry Rodrigue and nationally recognized poet and bookstore owner Gary Lawless of Nobleboro.

The event highlighted film, poetry and the arts in Central Maine. The film, “Down by the River’s Edge,” by Susan Gagnon of Farmington, made its Lewiston-Auburn premiere. It was followed by a discussion of the film with Gagnon and a tour of USM’s Franco-American Collection with Coordinator James Myall.

Over 25 poets read parts of their work along with other works. The afternoon also included a special labor reading in recognition of May Day, by USM professor and actor Harlan Baker and social activist Raymond Luc Levasseur.

Others attending the event included State Rep. Brian Bolduc of Auburn and Doug Bourn, president of the Southern Maine Labor Council (AFL-CIO).

The event was coordinated by students from the arts and humanities program, including Joline Lewis, Shikara Nugent and Rachel Simon.