FARMINGTON — Sixteen graduating seniors in Maine’s only Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program will be reading from their original works in poetry, fiction and non-fiction at University of Maine at Farmington’s Senior BFA Reading. This free and opento the-public event will take place at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 6, in The Landing in the UMF Olsen Student Center.

This reading represents the culmination of each student’s academic career in the competitive UMF Creative Writing program and will draw from their senior portfolios. Each student’s portfolio is created as a senior capstone project and consists of the student’s best writing at UMF, an artist statement and a self-assessment of their work.

UMF students featured at the event include: David Bersell, Derry, N.H.; Amy Blankenship, Casco; Richard Campbell, West Gardiner; Lee Cart, Wellington; Kate Chianese, Sunland, Calif.; Ariel Cohen, Yarmouth Port, Mass.; Joanna Dickman, East Northport, N.Y.; Caitlin Flaherty, Plymouth, Mass.; Laura Jennings, Deerfield, N.H.; Elizabeth Kelley, Portland; David Laforge, Naples; Samantha Shepard, Amherst; Denise Taylor, Farmington; DJ Taylor, Wilton; Lauren Taylor, Framingham, Mass. and Gordon Wilson, Freeport.

Graduates of the UMF BFA in Creative Writing program go on to graduate schools across the country, including at the University of Michigan, Emerson College and Cornell University. Many are currently working as published authors, editors, filmmakers, journalists, and educators, and in the fields of graphic design and marketing, among others.