The First Friday Art Tours in our Boothbay Harbor region date back to 2000 when it was Art Along The Avenues. Artist Lynne Seitzer, co-owner of Joy to the Wind Gallery, shared its evolutionary history, some years ago, but for the sake of this column, here's a much abbreviated version:

Five to eight galleries hosted receptions set up to coincide with Boothbay Region Art Foundation's show calendar. This was followed by hosting art tours on the last Friday of each month, known as the Last Friday Art Tour but, it was not highly successful. In 2002, the decision was made to adapt to the nationwide First Fridays.

Lynne noted at one time, the First Friday Art Tour often had 16 or more galleries/studios participating. Now that number is seven to nine. To be fair, many closed a long time ago, such as Tom Cavanagh's Bay Street Studio, Lina Burley Studio, The Sandpiper Gallery, My View Point Gallery, Head of the Harbor Gallery (Roger Milinowski); in more recent history - Studio 53 Fine Art (2011-2025); Corinne McIntyre's Ocean Point Studio/Visions of Maine (until her passing in 2023), Boothbay Harbor Framers Gallery & Antiques and Paradise Studio. Galleries still kickin’ who have participated through the years include Down East Gallery, Abacus, The Butke Studio (Isle of Springs), Macdonald Stained Glass, and Villard Studios (with creative games and activities).

Regular participants from the beginning are Boothbay Region Art Foundation (BRAF), Joy to the Wind, Gold/Smith Gallery, and Gleason Fine Art; also Kerr+Jones Gallery, East Boothbay Trading Co., Ed Brown's Wharfside Gallery, Dickinson Fine Art, and Ae Home & Ceramics.

Galleries host First Friday receptions in the afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m., 4 to 6 p.m., or 5 to 7 p.m. Participants often begin new art shows, or ongoing shows with some of the artists in attendance. Everyone serves a variety of refreshments.

Now in its 26th year, gallery owners agree on the importance of continuing First Fridays into the future. Seitzer sees the monthly art events as an opportunity for gallery owners to present new, or special paintings, and other exhibits to the public.

"From the perspective of a visiting guest, going on an art tour, sipping a bit of wine, and looking at art is great fun," said Seitzer. "A few years back when John and I traveled a lot, we would try to seek out art events along the way, often finding a treasure to bring home and remind us of the places we visited. From a personal standpoint, preparing for an exhibit keeps our gallery fresh. It also makes us evaluate our art from an outside perspective which keeps us from becoming static."

Many First "Friday-ers" buy art. During many a First Friday over the decades even I have seen individuals, couples, return to a gallery the same day or next year's vacation. Often there's an artist, or more than one, whose painting style and imagination speak your visual language, which is always cause for celebration. Newly acquired art presents the opportunity to spend some time traveling wherever your imagination takes you within it. And, as readers of my art reviews and columns know, I’m always up for that …

First Friday is a celebration of creativity in all its forms. It’s a celebration of local artists in a variety of media - oil, acrylic, watercolor, pen and ink, pastels, charcoal, graphite; sculptors of granite, marble and wood; mixed media, found objects, and assemblage ... Let's not forget the photographers out there capturing amazing scenes and subjects.

In the case of BRAF, exhibiting artists are from many regions in this gorgeous state. Speaking of BRAF, gallery manager Lauren Palmer invites artists with work in BRAF’s shows to attend First Friday receptions. "Artists in attendance allows visitors to engage with them one-on-one. I've overheard conversations where someone exclaims ‘Oh really, which one is yours?’ The artist then gets to tell their story, and a personal connection between the art, the artist, and a potential customer is created." 

The personal story of an artist or, better still, the story behind the painting, sculpture, mixed media … you get the idea. Those stories have always intrigued me and I’ve loved sharing them in my column from time to time. One of my favorites is from the “Bob Rose Adventures in Painting” collection - my name for it, not his … Wait. Was it? Anyway, back in 2013 Bob and I were talking about a new oil painting of his, “Day Marker, Damariscotta River.” I asked him if there was an interesting back story to go with.

There was.

“I painted it in a dinghy in the Damariscotta River in July … I’m telling you it was hot. The water was pretty rough that day ... and I don't know how to swim.”

Recalling this brief conversation from what, 23 years ago, still makes me laugh - and out loud. I can’t swim either. Still, it stopped me from going wave-hopping or hanging off the sides of boats. As my first mother-in-law, a lovely Irish lady, told me back in the 70s, “If you’re born to hang, you’ll never drown.” Yeah, it’s dark, but, that’s proverbs for ya.

Karen Swartsberg of Gold/Smith Gallery spoke to the way First Fridays "unite all of the galleries into one unique direction."

"We get to appreciate each other's presence and talents without guile or competitive feelings," Swartsberg shared. "It’s the way it should be always. Our gallery participates when we can, if we’re not too tired, voluntarily without an ulterior motive. It’s fun. I wish it was like that always."

Marty Gleason, co-owner of Gleason Fine Art, really nails it: “I think First Fridays are important for bringing people into galleries who might not otherwise come in. FF's are festive occasions, and anybody, including newcomers, can join in the fun with both longtime customers and artists. Some people find galleries a bit imposing, so sharing glasses of wine with others really helps to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. An added plus is that most people who visit us are making a point of visiting all, or most, of the other participants.”

This year’s First Fridays have been hot ones, but I expect the Sept. 4 and Oct. 2 events to be a bit cooler; OK, definitely October. Experience the broad range of art here in the Boothbay region. First and foremost, spend time with the art at each gallery that piques your curiosity; they are inner journeys just waiting to be taken. The final two First Fridays are upon us and, if you’re in or near Boothbay Harbor, come on over and take a walk on the creative side. Vive le imagination!