Maybe it was the rainy weather, maybe the need for good cheer. Whatever the reason, folks were elbow to elbow at the opening of Maine Art Gallery’s (MAG) “Whimsy: Flights of Fancy” exhibit on Saturday, May 10. Everyone seemed to be smiling and laughing. Some humorous words from Tim Sample, noted Maine humorist, added to the gaiety.

“The exhibit concept is a brilliant idea, and such fun,” commented artist Carol Wiley, a MAG member and regular exhibitor at the gallery and other venues. “The selection of art is interesting and I’m glad to see some different artists from the ones I often see.” 

The show, featuring 49 artists working in a variety of mediums, was curated by Matthew Barter, noted Maine artist with a penchant for humor in his work, often assemblages of wood and paint. 

In comments to the crowd, he said in selecting the work he had in mind the art of  Chagall. “I was thinking of something with substance with a carefree feeling to it…something that made me feel lighter, like a painting of Chagall’s does, and something that made me smile.”

Tim Sample was invited to display some of his line art illustrations. “People think of me as a humorist, but before that I had a career as an illustrator and artist…. Art saved my life.” Growing up in Boothbay Harbor and after dropping out of high school, a teacher asked him if he had thought about art school, and that question set him on his path. 

In inspiring words to artists, or to anyone for that matter, he said the key to living was in maintaining one’s curiosity, “to want to see how this would look, or how that might work…I think of the creative process as resting comfortably on the razor’s edge.” He added that he thought it was a “fabulous” show and was happy to be included.

Whimsy will be up until June 15; gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. An artist talk, “Collage: The Sum of its Parts,” is scheduled for Thursday, June 5 at 4 p.m., and will include remarks and works by artists Robin Brooks, Christine Covert, Jillian Herrigel, and Catherine Worthington.

MAG is grateful to season sponsor, Sherri Dunbar of Tim Dunham Realty, capital sponsor, Islebrook Village at Wiscasset, an Everbook Senior Living Community, and Whimsy sponsor, J. Edward Knight Insurance.

A nonprofit organization since 1958, the Maine Art Gallery, located at 15 Warren Street, Wiscasset. More information can be found at www.maineartgallerywiscasset.org and on Facebook at Maine Art Gallery Wiscasset. Email info@maineartgallerywiscasset.org or phone (207) 687-8143.