Each gallery in the Boothbay region is quite outstanding, really. Each one exhibiting art distinctively different than the next; unique in presentation due to the buildings housing the work as well as the atmosphere.

For example, this month I started out at Boothbay Region Art Foundation (BRAF) where the final Members' Show is in full swing – on the first floor. Upstairs there are two other shows: A “solo” show featuring the work of friends Darcey Crandall and Catherine Hughes; the other a juried exhibition with work selected by Dennis Gleason of Gleason Fine Art. There’s a lot of work to see at BRAF! Luckily for locals and visitors, these current shows are up through Sept. 21. Make a note: the gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

BRAF Manager Lauren Palmer is very excited and proud of the changes that’ve been made in the past year. This gallery dates back to 1963, making it the oldest running gallery in the Boothbay region. Check the history (and other intel) at BRAF About. First off, new artists have joined longtime members. And, for a second year, the upcoming ARTinME show returns as a large-format exhibition. There’s more, but you’ll have to wait for that news!

In the main gallery (downstairs) I had a few favorites (imagine!): Molly Mugler’s diorama – the serene water scene is framed in natural wood ... I love seeing where the front panel, green grass and lavender flora, attaches to the frame. I’m pretty sure my fondness for dioramas has something to do with their reminding me of a cross between Viewmasters and Colorforms. Moving on …

“Lady Amanita,” by Radne Ribbons. What first attracted me to this piece was the expression on her face and the numerous mushrooms floating around her. Or were they flying? Turns out, it’s the latter. I had to look her up. Turns out the Lady's name comes from the “Amanita muscaria,” which we know better as the fly agaric mushroom. There’s a somber, sci-fi, mythological air about this one. And, with the exception of four white “blobs” of light on the left of the piece (courtesy of my Nikon’s flash – as well as a streak on the right ... grrr, there are agarics of all sizes right down to spores floating around her (after freeing themselves from her hair, perhaps). And, her eyes, intense and hypnotic, I can’t say for certain I’d hang her in my house, but I may go visit her at the gallery again.

Diana Young’s “Community Garden” is so energy-charged through her color choices and brushstrokes … the inanimate becomes animate. I’ve enjoyed her work since I first saw it at Gold/Smith Gallery in the early 2010’s.

On the second floor, the “Mostly Landscapes” show featuring the work of friends Darcey Crandall and Catherine Hughes brings lovely scenes into view.

The juried show has some truly gorgeous works of art, but then Dennis Gleason does have an eye. Lauren reported 56 artists submitted 84 works and of those 39 were selected. Some eye catchers for me included a very detailed assemblage by André Benoit, a floral by Irene Plummer, still loving the Susanlora Morris painting “Sky’s Edge” I wrote about when it was at River Arts, Priscilla Alden’s lighthearted tapestry, and Wendy Clayton’s “Between the Spaces.”

From BRAF I moved down to Calypso for the “Sister Power” show of the art and jewelry of Kathleen Billis and Jennifer Matthews. When I arrived there was quite a crowd gathered in the back of the store where everywhere you look is a temptation! And yes, both women met with great success and praise. In addition to the sisters’ art, there was art of the edible kind as well. Calypso owner Lindy Bragg said Eventide Specialites, Harbor Treats and Hannah LaMontagne (daughter-in-law of Calypso staffer Amanda Ward) of The Capital Bakery in Augusta provided the sweet and savory bites. “It was fun and everyone had a fabulous time,” Lindy said. “It was an unexpected place for a First Friday. There were people having dinner at Ports Of Italy watching people coming and going who had to come see what was going on!”

Artist Lynne Seitzer reported Joy to the Wind, over on the east side, saw a “pretty steady” stream of art fans between 3 and 7 p.m. She sent along some photos for this column.

Studio 53's show of various artists represented there drew folks its way. Artists in attendance were David Estey (and his wife, Karen), Don Josephson and gallery co-owner Terry Seaman. 

Other galleries participating in the September First Friday were: Mitchell & Co., Black River Gallery, Gleason Fine Art, East Boothbay Trading Co., Kerr + Jones Fine Art Gallery and Dickinson Fine Art. The final First Friday of 2025 is Oct. 3.