Maine Art Gallery celebrates Maine’s natural beauty in a number of ways during the course of its upcoming show “Song of the Wild: Honoring the Natural Beauty and Wildlife of Maine,” (June 18 - July 26). In addition to the outstanding art on its walls, the gallery is offering classes designed to enhance our understanding of the world around us.

On June 23, former National Geographic director of photography David Griffin, offers pointers to photographers with any digital camera, including cell phones, in “How to Shoot Better Photos.” Students will take photos throughout the neighborhood in Wiscasset. Sign up for this class by June 18.

In July, popular instructors Kat Logan and Jude Valentine return to guide studio classes for all levels of skill. Logan leads two classes for beginner and intermediate artists: “Discover Your Inner Artist” in a single day on July 1 (sign up by June 25) and “Draw and Paint our Feathered Friends” on July 8 (sign up by July 3). All materials are provided by the instructor.

Valentine will lead the next two classes for advanced beginners and intermediate artists. “Compose with Color” on July 15 (sign up by July 10) offers an opportunity to combine pastel with acrylic, watercolor or gouache, pencil and charcoal. In “Charcoal and Line -  Drawing the Landscape” on July 22 (sign up by July 17), students will translate color images to new compositions using tonal value and charcoal techniques.

No reservations are required to come to the gallery and observe Jean Kigel’s demonstration of  the traditional Japanese art of fish painting at the gallery on Thursday, July 9 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. This process, called Gyotaku, dates from the mid-1800s. Sumi and/or printers’ inks are applied to a fish, after which a piece of rice paper is pressed onto the fish, and then pulled to give an exact impression. Historically, fishermen used gyotaku to record their catches, and gyotaku prints can still be seen hanging in tackle shops in Japan. It is rumored that samurai would settle fishing competitions using Gyotaku prints.

For complete details about all the classes and to sign up, visit the MAG website, maineartgallerywiscasset,org.

A nonprofit organization, 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 The gallery is located at 15 Warren St., Wiscasset. Hours are Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.