“Art washes away from the soul the dust of every day life.” - Picasso

Gleason Fine Art – The gallery opens its 27th season with two new shows, First Friday receptions 5-7 p.m. Acclaimed plein-air painter Kevin Beers. “On My Own.”  The gallery honors his many years there by offering a select group of what might be called “Kevin’s classics” for show and sale. There are many treasures available as well as a few old friends. “Sisters: The Paintings of Anne and Dorothy Eisner.” Opening and First Friday reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Special guest: Dorothy’s daughter, Christie McDonald, an emeritus professor in French at Harvard. She is ardent in her interest in the sisters' work. She placed a huge collection of artifacts Anne collected in Africa in both the America Museum of Natural History and the Braly Museum in Paris. Such stories she can tell! Meet Kevin and Christie over wine, exchange some stories, and enjoy the beginning of another glorious summer! 31 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor. 207-633-6849. Gallery hours: Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday: noon - 4 p.m. New website design! www.gleasonfineart.com

Studio 53 Fine Art – First show of the season: the work of gallery owners Heidi Seidelhuber and Terry Seaman through June 31. Other notable artists exhibiting there include Bob McKay, David Estey, Jack Silverio, Don Josephson, Nancy Keenan Barron, Ida Schmolowitz, Nancy Wilkoff, Gerry Immonen, Dick Alden and Jaap Eduard Helder; with works by the late Robert Hamilton, Tony van Hasselt and David Dupree. Gallery hours: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. 633-2755. Watch for redesigned website! 53 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor. 

Boothbay Region Art Foundation –  The gallery reopens for the 2024 season on First Friday, June 7 at 10 a.m. with the June Member’s Show. Meet some of the member artists at a wine and cheese First Friday reception from 5 to 7 p.m. We're looking forward to viewing what was created during the winter! Gallery hours: Tuesday through Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 1 Townsend Ave. FMI:  www.boothbayartists.org or call 207-633-2703.

Gold/Smith Gallery – First Friday reception 5-7 p.m. Home of artist John Vander. First show: Paintings of the Etruscan kingdom in Tuscany, Italy by Ivano Balluchi. Balluchi lived and worked in his home city of Livorno exploring and painting his experiences in tempera on wood panels until he died in 2021. 8 McKown St., Boothbay Harbor. Gallery hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays noon-5 p.m. 207-633-6252. www.goldsmithgallery.net

Joy to the Wind Gallery – Artists John MT and Lynne Seitzer – First Friday reception: 3-5 p.m. Featuring new work by John: “Islands In The Sheepscot.” This new series of oil paintings by John, visualizations of the Islands in the Sheepscot River. Observations depicting cloudy skies, reflections of a setting sun, and river waters mirroring what you see, doubling the delight. The paint colors fluctuate from dull in the shadows to scintillating as you look up towards the setting sun. Gallery hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. 34 Atlantic Ave., Boothbay Harbor. 207-633-7025. www.joytothewind.com

2024 First Friday dates: June 7, July 5, Aug. 2, Sept. 6, Oct. 4