Come see “A Floating World” at the Pemaquid Watershed Association (PWA) office gallery in downtown Damariscotta from September 16 to October 25. This exhibit features works by Chris Augusta, who has traveled the world to draw fish and nature. The public is invited to a wine-and-cheese opening reception for the artist on Friday, September 20 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at PWA.

Augusta spent his formative years along the New England coast. He studied drawing and painting from his father, George Augusta, a prominent portrait and landscape painter, from whom he learned the importance of working directly from nature and that drawing and painting are means to understanding how nature works and how human beings see the world.

His field work often involves close and systematic observation of nature translated into detailed studies of birds, insects, and fish in the tradition of nineteenth century explorer naturalists.

Over the years he has developed an interest in underwater life via snorkeling and free diving. He has developed methods for sketching and taking notes underwater from which he creates more complex compositions. He has drawn fish in locations all over the world. For instance, in a project for the New England Aquarium he traveled to East Africa to collect specimens for an exhibit on Lake Victoria for which he did one hundred species studies including dozens of Lake Victoria cichlids.

Augusta is donating 40 percent of the proceeds from sales to support PWA’s mission of conserving the natural resources of the Pemaquid Peninsula.

The exhibit may be viewed weekdays from 9:30 to 4:30 p.m. by visiting PWA above Salt Bay Café. For more information, call 207-563-2196 or visit www.pemaquidwatershed.org.