33rd Annual Scolnik Award Reception

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Justice Scolnik dedicated his life to the pursuit of fairness and equality under the law, and this event continues his vision by celebrating those who carry that work forward today.

We’re excited to open a new chapter for this award by recognizing an advocate for freedom and equality from outside the legal field. In trying times, free expression is a critical tool to speak out, push back, find joy, experiment with new ideas, and build community.

Ryan Adams carries this torch with his large-form murals and other art. Through his art, Ryan lifts up underserved communities, amplifies quiet voices, and shines light on forgotten issues.

Just this past year, Ryan supported communities by creating and publicly sharing "No ICE" signs so business owners and community spaces could push back against violent immigration operations. The signs went viral, becoming an important element of resistance and resilience across the country, and especially here in Maine.

The Scolnik Award is more than an evening – it is a gathering of people who believe in the power of community, the importance of standing together, and the promise of a Maine where everyone's rights and freedoms are protected.

Kafari’ (he/him) is the alias of pianist and rhythm bones-weilding beatmaker Ahmad Muhammad. Kafari’s music synthesizes his love of ambient piano music, instrumental hip-hop, and acoustic percussion. It takes deep inspiration from pioneering jazz harpist Dorothy Ashby, beatmaking legend J Dilla, and the Carolina Chocolate Drops, who in a 2014 performance sparked Kafari’s interest in traditional music and the Irish rhythm bones – a percussion instrument popularized in America in the 1800s through Blackface Minstrelsy. Kafari often distributes and teaches bones at his performances, sharing pieces of their complex and fraught history and workshopping basic rhythmic techniques with his audiences over his beats.

Reaching out into Casco Bay and welcoming newcomers to Portland, Ocean Gateway is the City’s waterfront jewel. The spectacular setting of islands and water enhances the beauty of the architecture, which was designed to resemble the prow of a ship.

Parking is available in the Ocean Gateway Visitor Center lot, with additional spaces along the large lot next to the venue. You'll also find plenty of street parking nearby.