After several years of darkness, Wiscasset’s Maine Art Gallery opened its doors to a fresh audience on Saturday, May 13. Students and their parents, most of whom had never been inside the old schoolhouse on Warren Street, were impressed with what they saw at the gallery’s Youth Art Exhibit.

The gallery itself now has a more contemporary look with brightly painted panels to show off the art. Visitors were delighted with the joyous simplicity of frogs drawn by pre-schoolers to illustrate their lines of haiku as well as the sophistication of works by older students.

Members of the non-profit Maine Art Gallery hope this student exhibit will be repeated annually. Board members worked for many months on the effort because they feel so strongly that children need to be supported in their expressions of creativity.

“Art teachers provide essential guidance and encouragement to young artists, but that youthful inspiration may be lost without the support and encouragement of the community,” said gallery board member, Jorge Pena. “The Maine Art Gallery is committed to open its doors for artists, and there is no better way to start than to display art created by Lincoln County children.”

The Youth Art Exhibit is open to the public from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 20, Sunday, May 21 and Saturday, May 27.

The Maine Art Gallery, at 15 Warren Street in Wiscasset, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and preservation of painting, sculpture and graphic arts through exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations, and  educational programs for children and adults. More information can be found on the gallery web site, www.maineartgallerywiscasset.org.