Local artists and the public are invited to the Explosion Book Seminar by UMVA artist Linda Leach on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Camden Public Library, 55 Main St., Camden, ME.   To register for this workshop, please contact Linda Leach at studio@lindaleachdesigns.com by October 25th. There is a $10 materials fee.   An “explosion book” is a handmade small square book, which “explodes” into a series of square and triangular pages when you open it up. Leach has been a teaching and exhibiting artist for over 26 years in the Midcoast area.   She finds that when teaching, she also learns much in the process herself.   She has received several awards and has been published in a number of art magazines in recognition of her new polymer discoveries.   She has been fortunate to be a presenter at several polymer clay retreats.   Creating new avenues to share ideas and cultivate artistic interest is her goal for the future while having fun in the process. UMVA, founded

Over 20 artists are involved in “Water”, the current membership show at the UMVA Art gallery inside the Portland Media Center, 516 Congress St. in Portland until November 24 th .   Gallery hours with artists there are: Friday 5pm - 8pm; Saturday 1pm - 4pm; Sunday 2pm - 5pm.  The artists were asked to think about all the complexities of water in that it can be cleansing but also can carry contaminates and micro-plastics.  Water is life-giving, but can also cause destruction. UMVA member, Dr. Susan Smith, curated the show.  She is the coordinator/faculty for the Intermedia MFA program at the University of Maine, Orono, and a practicing artist.  Smith was also the former director for the Orono campus Lord Hall Gallery.  The participating artists are from Portland, Biddeford, Cumberland, Falmouth, Westbrook, Bowdoinham , Belfast , Northport , Orrs Island and Kennebunkport. UMVA, founded in 1975, is a non-profit organization that promotes and advocates for the visual arts, artists, and

  Union of Maine Visual Artists - UMVA Midcoast Presents Invitational Exhibit in Blue Hill   “4 x 6” is the name of the exhibit featuring 4 pieces of work by 6 artists chosen by Janelle Delicata opening November 1, 2023 at the Blue Hill Public Library, 5 Parker Point Rd, Blue Hill.   The artists are Kelly Desrosiers (Unity), Janelle Delicata (Blue Hill), Jane Gilbert (Orland), Elisabeth Goodridge (Appleton), Marjorie Strauss (Rockland) and Deb Vendetti (Hope). The show runs from November 1 through November 30.    Library hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9 am to 6 pm, Thursday 9 am to 8 pm and Saturday 9 am to 5 pm.   For more information contact the Blue Hill Public Library at 207-374-5515 or Janelle Delicata at 207-944-8822. Watercolor and ink landscapes that find inspiration in the natural world are where Desrosiers’ art lies.   She says “I have spent many years absorbing the experiences and knowledge that I now attempt to express through my art.” Her detailed an