Studio 53 Fine Art will present its 7th annual Gifts For Giving Holiday Sale Nov. 17-20. The much anticipated show and sale features the Boothbay region’s finest  artists, authors and artisans in a festive, community atmosphere where customers are treated like the neighbors and friends they are.

“The gallery has great energy. Our reception on Friday night feels like a huge neighborhood party!” said Leslie Muir Volpe, event organizer. “We have lots of repeat customers from year to year, and customers who come back to shop several times during our four day show ... there's so much to see, they come across things they didn't notice the first or even second time through.”

Yes, the gallery is filled to the brim with items in eye catching displays created by the artists and artisans who are often nearby or on one of Studio 53's three floors. Many attend the opening reception, to be held on Friday, Nov. 18 from 6-8 p.m. with refreshments. Who might these creative types be, you wonder? Read on!

Porcelain and ceramics by ... Elise Andersen, Andersen Studio - hand-crafted artwork in ceramic, fiber, paintings and prints; Ann Hedgcock, artist and potter - high-fired stoneware and porcelain, functional, whimsical and sculptural;

Fiber arts offerings by … Jill Butke, fiber artist/weaver - unique cotton and wool wearables; Leslie Muir-Volpe, fiber artist - miniature quilts, punch needle embroidery, unique fabric keepsakes; Helen Farnham, artist and designer - fiber arts: hats, scarves, unique creations, greeting cards, prints, calendars; Barbara Lally, fiber artist - Shibori dyed silk items; unique Christmas ornaments; Susie Stephenson, rug hooker - fun fiber arts on the coast of Maine; Ursula Smith, weaver - hand-woven textiles for the home.

Natural health and wellness offerings by … Anna Christina - Mana Medicinals, herbalist/massage therapist - organic and locally grown herbal remedies, skin care and teas; Crystal Lewis, soap maker/livestock care specialist - luxurious, all natural goat milk soap and lotion.

Artisan works by Jesse DeShazo, woodworker - bird houses and decorative items for home and garden; Diana S. Kerr - decoupage and hand-painted items, textiles, furniture, glass; Lou Landry, wood turner - hand-turned wood bowls utilitarian and artistic in nature; Dick Macdonald, stained glass - mirrors, lighting, earrings, sconces, much more; George and Naomi Whitten - hand-marbleized paper, hand-made notebooks, cards and boxes.

Artists … Don Josephson, American Expressionist Painter - Art Institute of Boston; paintings; Lynne Seitzer, artist - oils, pastels, watercolors, ink; Paula Ragsdale, artist/designer - graphics and fine art; John M. T. Seitzer, artist - oils, acrylics, pastels, mixed media, watercolors, 3 D; Betsy Wing, author, translator, visual artist - specializing in monotype prints and fiction.

Jewelry by  Kathleen Jones, jewelry design - sterling, fine silver, gold and brass designs; Rhoda Weyr, jeweler -fine jewelry, wall hangings and designs in gold, silver, copper, gems, shells and glass. Jewelry and more by Sanny Norton, jewelry and wall hangings - assembled from beach findings, hand-painted tables; Diane Dorbin, artist and designer - fun and funky “Up-cycled” jewelry, needle-felted ornaments, photography.

Authors and illustrators will be on hand to autograph gifts throughout the four-day event. This year they are: Sarah Sherman McGrail, “Looking Back, Volumes 1 and 2: A History of Boothbay Region's Veterans During the Korean and Vietnam Wars;” Friday, Nov. 18, 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 19, 9-11 a.m.  Children's books author Paige Pendleton and illustrator Tom Block, “Reginald the Railway Rat” and “White Belt Society;” Friday, Nov. 18, 5-8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19 – 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 20 – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Historical fiction/mystery writer Lea Wait will be at the gallery with copies of her many works (for ages 8 and up), including her most recent, “Dangling By A Thread,” part of the Mainely Needlepoint Mysteries, on Thursday, Nov. 17 -11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 18 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19 – 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 20 – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There are many reasons why Gifts for Giving has become so popular when it comes to ticking off names on those holiday lists. According to Muir-Volpe, the two biggies are: supporting local artists is important to event customers, and because they can find a unique gift, that is not mass-produced, for everyone on those lists.

Each year Studio 53 selects a local nonprofit to support by making a contribution from a portion of the total proceeds from its Gifts For Giving Holiday Sale. This year that recipient is the Boothbay Region Food Pantry.

The Whittens have announced they will be donating 100 percent of their proceeds to the Pantry. In the spirit of “gifts for giving,” Studio 53 encourages all customers to bring non-perishable food items, or monetary donations (checks made payable to the pantry), with them to the show. The gallery will deliver the items to the pantry located in the downstairs of the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor.

Event hours: Nov. 17: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Nov. 18: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. - gala reception begins at 5 p.m.; Early Bird Saturday, Nov. 20: 7 a.m. to 8 pm.; Nov. 21: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.