Join the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum for a Talk with Author and Historian Mindy Johnson

As part of the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum’s Arctic Exploration in Motion II: A Film Festival, Mindy Johnson, will talk about Maine native Bessie Mae Kelley and her surviving films believed to be the earliest surviving hand-drawn animation, animated and directed by a woman.

Mindy is an award-winning author, historian, filmmaker, educator, musician and more, Mindy Johnson’s creative accomplishments reflect the diversity of her talents and experience. A leading expert on women’s roles in animation and film history, Mindy writes and speaks on early cinema, animation, women’s history, and creativity.

Mindy’s groundbreaking discoveries continue to cast light on the invisible narrative of women’s presence within the first century of the motion picture industry. Her latest landmark breakthrough is the discovery of Bessie Mae Kelley.

Kelley’s work remained largely unknown until her collection was rediscovered and two of her films were restored by Mindy Johnson in 2022. Johnson discovered Kelley in a series of images of male animators from the early 1920s. Other historians had previously assumed her to be a secretary or cleaning woman.

The museum will also be presenting films and commentary on April 12 and 13 as part of the festival. Details to follow at the website below.

www.bowdoin.edu/arctic-museum