This image of “I Like Skunks” was created by University of Maine at Augusta students. Photo courtesy of UMA

In culmination of their fall semester course, 12 University of Maine at Augusta students have created a large-scale collaborative comic. The project is an adaptation of a Louise Dickinson Rich story as part of an integrated English and art course, “Wham! Bang! Pow! Graphic Storytelling in Form and Practice.”

The art exhibition will be on display in the storefront windows at 208 Water St., Augusta, thanks to building owner Tyler Hall, from Monday, Dec. 13 through Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022.

The class adapted a section of Rich’s bestselling 1942 memoir, “We Took to the Woods,” which was excerpted in the Atlantic Monthly in 1942 under the title “I Like Skunks.” In this piece, Rich explains how she and her family came to adopt a skunk kit and raise it among a litter of sled dog puppies.

This upper-level course taught by Lisa Botshon, UMA professor of English, and Peter Precourt, UMA professor of art, encourages communication and collaboration through graphic storytelling.

“Most of the students in this class are not art majors,” stated Precourt. “This is an interdisciplinary course that allows and encourages students across academic disciplines to find their creative voice through the use of the graphic art technique. A wonderful positive energy has developed as the students organized their work and focused on the creative process.”

“Graphic storytelling is an excellent medium for communication, collaboration and creativity,” added Botshon. “In addition to bringing together art and the written word, students must work together as they create their visual representation of Rich’s work.”

“We Took to the Woods” is Rich’s memoir about living off the grid in the Rangeley Lake area. Her place at Middle Dam, also known as Forest Lodge, was the year-round home of her family from 1933 through 1944, and her summer residence until 1955. It was while she lived at Forest Lodge that Rich developed her literary skills and published her first stories and books.

For more information, call 207-621-3495, visit uma.edu, or email domna.giatas@maine.edu.

Louise Dickinson Rich typewriting at her home near Rangeley. Photo courtesy of UMA