Parents, teachers and children poured into the Maine Art Gallery (MAG) in Wiscasset for the opening of the K-12 student art show on Friday, April 12. For the first time in the years that the annual exhibit has opened the MAG season, students presented their work alongside that of their teachers.

The theme of mentorship continues with “Generations: The Legacy of Mentors,” a concurrent exhibit in the upstairs gallery. This exhibit includes art by MAG’s founding generations of artists from the 1950s and ‘60s and a younger generation of artists who were influenced by them. It will be expanded in May to include a juried exhibit of member artists who describe the influences upon their work.

As grades 7-12 art teacher Shalimar Chasse’ said to the packed room, “The students love to have their work shown in a real gallery.” Entering the gallery, one is greeted with a charming cut-paper collage by kindergartener, Lorelai Merry, called “Baby Owls at Night.” At her young age, one can already see her budding sense of color, design, and even an artistic expressiveness revealed in the birds. First-grader Ryder Bailey displayed an accomplished landscape painting in tempera and magic marker. And 10th grader Erik Dube showed a series of “Glazed Ceramics,” which were imaginative and well-constructed.

There are many other student creations in multiple mediums to enjoy along with the work of their two teachers, Chasse' and the K-6 art teacher, Liz Proffetty. Proffetty has exhibited two wonderful Japanese accordion pop-up books that fold out to reveal delicate paintings on beautiful paper. 

Chasse’ created a variety of artworks in different mediums, including some basketry and unusual metallic buttons. “My art is a curiosity to try new mediums that I then share with my students,” she said in an artist’s statement accompanying her work.

The exhibit will be open two more weekends, April 20-21 and April 27-28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Maine Art Gallery gratefully acknowledges First National Bank, sponsor for the K-12 Student Art Show, season sponsor, Sherri Dunbar of Tim Dunham Realty, and capital sponsor, Islebrook Village at Wiscasset, an Everbrook Senior Living Community.

A nonprofit organization, the Maine Art Gallery is dedicated to the advancement and preservation of the visual, fine and applied arts through exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations and educational programs for children and adults since 1958. More information can be found at www.maineartgallerywiscasset.org and on Facebook at Maine Art Gallery Wiscasset.

The gallery is located at 15 Warren Street, Wiscasset, with free on-street parking. From Main Street shops, it’s an easy eight-minute walk.