ROCKLAND — PechaKucha Night, an evening of visual storytelling, will take place Friday, April 5, at the Strand Theatre, in Rockland. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., the program begins at 7 p.m., and a reception will immediately follow the event at CMCA on Winter Street in Rockland.

The presentations will cover a range of topics from artwork in the forms of murals, paintings, and fabric arts to public health, healing from addiction through dance and whole-body health, and experiential education, as well as two perspectives on the interconnections between the well-being of humans and the conservation of natural resources.

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, 20-second-per-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 April 2024 edition are: Aaron Englander, Associate Director of Stewardship of Aldermere Farm and Erickson Fields, Maine Coast Heritage; Korinn Mowrey, founder of Makin’ Waves in Health and Fitness; Melanie Essex, artist; Liz Cunningham, ocean conservationist; Jesse Lucas, Knox Clinic; Robert Shetterly, Union of Maine Visual Artists; Muriel Curtis, director of Station Maine; Carla Weeks, artist and muralist; and Tessa Greene O-Brien, artist and curator.

The evening’s emcee will be Alan Crichton.

“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.

Admittance is $5, with tickets sales now available in advance through the Strand Theatre website at www.rocklandstrand.com, by calling 207-594-0070, or at the walk-up box office when the theater is open for shows. Walk-up ticket sales will also be available on the day of show, starting at 5:30pm, if tickets remain. Advance purchase is recommended.  

The sponsor for this event is The Free Press. 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; Strand Theatre; and various creative community members. Poster design by Carly Hopps of Akoya Creative.

For information about presenting or volunteering 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 more information.

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