Southport Memorial Library's first artist of the month in 2025 is Michael Giglia and his wildlife photography with a focus on birds. The show will be on exhibit in January and February.

Michael Giglia has enjoyed a passion for photography since he was eight years old. This was mostly stimulated by his father's love for the expression of artistry though all types of film media. At that early age, Mike would use his dad's Yashica Mat medium format camera, along with Kodak’s cutting edge technology... the instamatic camera with flash cubes. When he was 16, he was sponsored by Kodak to attend their National Conference in Chicago with two of his photos for exhibit. Throughout the years, Mike has used photography, like his dad, to express his creativity along with metal, wood and clay.

His current passion is wildlife photography with an emphasis on birds. Capturing birds in flight and then turning those images in to metal art has become his most recent artistic expression and challenge.

Mike can usually be found in Damariscotta Mills taking photos of osprey, eagles, cormorants, and whatever else is active during the months of the alewife run. Due to the online communities of wildlife photographers, he is able to learn and share with people from all over the world. As well, he often gets to meet visiting international and out-of -state wildlife photographers traveling to marvel our local wildlife and alewife runs.

When not behind the lens or doing family activities, Mike is a chiropractor practicing in Damariscotta with his wife, Susan, for almost 40 years.

The Southport Memorial Library is at 1032 Hendricks Hill Road on Southport Island. Winter hours are Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.