South Thomaston, Maine, August 22, 2013 – Keag River Gallery presents a fundraiser for PenobscotSchool. “A Taste & View of Italy,” celebrates Italy’s authenticity of place with Photography by Mike Dumont, a FIORE olive oil tasting by Pat O’Brien, and a performance by Erin Chenard, soloist.   

Authenticity of place is an intangible thing, long held in the memory and cherished after a visit. 

For one night, experience Italy in Maine, as the scenic views, fresh tastes and classical sounds of Italy converge at Keag River Gallery from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. This event is a fundraiser for Penobscot School, a non-profit community language learning school. A suggested donation of $5 is requested. 

Italy’s old world authenticity caught the imagination of photographer Mike Dumont through studies with Helen Yancy via the New England School of Photography. Tuscany’s verdant olive groves, light hewn hills, ancient architectural elements and people taking time to enjoy each other captivated Dumont’s eye. He will share his experiences and a slide show of images from this body of work. Canvas and ARTiPLAQ prints of his images will also be on view.     

As the Marketing Director for FIORE, Pat O’Brien has long been a proponent of Italy’s tastes, freshest olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars. Pat will expertly guide guests through a tasting of Ultra Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Aged Balsamic Vinegars. Pat’s passion about the nuances and varieties of olives and the regions where they are produced is evident and contagious. Pat will share the key aspects of fresh extra virgin olive oil and also enlighten guests on the balsamic vinegar production and aging process still practiced in Modena, Italy. A special tasting of 12 and 18 year aged balsamico condimento and Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale Extravecchio, aged over 25 years is offered on this special evening. 

Keag River Gallery is pleased to present the vocal talents of Erin Chenard, soprano for this event.  A graduate of the University of Southern Maine School of Music and WestminsterChoirCollege, Erin has performed as a soloist with the Maine Pro Musica Orchestra, the Early Music duo Music’s Quill, the USM Chorale, Chamber Singers, and the Downeast Singers. She sang in the Westminster Symphonic Choir in the New York Philharmonic’s 2006 broadcast of Handel’s Messiah. Erin is a member of the voice faculty at BayChamberCommunityMusicSchool in Rockport.

About Penobscot School                                     

A non profit center for language learning, PenobscotSchool is a unique community international language school offering classes in foreign language skills.  The PenobscotSchool’s approach to language learning “in the context of the exchange of ideas and knowledge” has helped hundreds of people learn more about the world and each other for 25 years. 28 Gay Street, Rockland, ME 04841, 207/594-1084 or Toll Free: 1-855/344-0414. 

About FIORE Artisan Olive Oils & Vinegars

Nancy and Pat O’Brien started FIORE in 2009 after learning about the health benefits of fresh pressed olive oils.  Their creative efforts garnered the coveted 2013 SBA Woman-Owned Small Business Award.  The FIORE tasting room offers a wide selection of ultra-premium extra virgin olive oils from around the world, and aged balsamic vinegars from Modena, Italy.  All oils and vinegars are bottled onsite for purchase to ensure freshness. FIORE's locations are at 8 Rodick Place, Bar Harbor, and 503 Main Street, Rockland.  www.FIOREoliveoils.com,  207/801-2580 or 207/596-0276.

Keag River Gallery is located at 25 Dublin Road, S. Thomaston.  Featuring the works of several photographers, the gallery is open Thursday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Keag River Gallery offers custom digital photo editing, photo printing on paper, canvas and ARTiPLAQ photography mounting services.  www.keagrivergallery.com/    info@keagrivergallery.com or 207/358-8687.