When you visit Gleason Fine Art's exhibit, “Celebrating Monhegan: A Survey,” be prepared to give yourself over to “island time.”

This show features 20 paintings by artists on the island from the 19th century to present day. From figurative realism to the abstract, seeing Monhegan through the eyes of Theophile Schneider (1872-1960), Emil Holzhauer (1887-1986), Ernest Fiene (1894-1965), Alex Minewski, and Peter Sculthorpe, to name a few, is an experience.

Most residents in the area, and many summer visitors, have visited Monhegan and can easily recognize landmarks on canvas, board or paper such as Blackhead and Whitehead. If you are like me, an image will flash in your mind's eye for a second or two, then succumb to the scene before you.

One of the works that most impressed me was not a painting at all, nor was it of any of the hundreds of magnificent locations on the island; it was the inside of the meetinghouse.

“Prayer Meeting, 1916,” by George Wesley Bellows (1882-1925) is a lithograph — and it is exquisite. The shadow and light, detailed expressions of the congregation members, the intensity of the clergyman ... it is a fascinating piece, one I returned to several times during my visit. After reading a bit about Bellows, the detail and precision in this work is representative of all of his lithographs. Bellows sought out the absolute best printers to work with and would throw out anything that was not up to his standards.

Ernest Fiene's (1894-1965) “In for the Night,” is actually part of a private collection (but still for sale). It depicts fishermen at the end of the day. Added depth is given to the sea and mountains in this oil on canvas through the use of the technique impasto, which also creates movement for the viewer. The golden yellows and gray in the sky are enlivened by the technique. The gulls flock above the fishing boat hoping to score an easy catch. It's a great piece.

Peter Sculthorpe's “Above Pulpit Rock,” is so detailed and rich with texture.

Andrew Winter's “Pulpit Rock,” is vibrant, livelier. Perhaps it’s Winter's addition of sea birds, storm clouds and a sea working up to a slow churn?

One of the few abstract pieces in the show is by Minewski. I will admit outright that I do not always fully appreciate all abstract works. But, there is something about this vibrant red, blue, yellow, black and green piece, oil on canvas, “Monhegan Landscape,” that I am still thinking about, days after my visit to the gallery. It is collage-like with images including a small sailboat, buoys, large pines, rocks, giant birds in the sky.

This extraordinary exhibit is at Gleason Fine Art through July 26. Plan to visit the gallery at 31 Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor. Call 207-633-6849 for more information.

And, if you are visiting Monhegan Island between now and September 30, the Mohegan Museum on Lighthouse Hill is showcasing historical works in “The Famous & Forgotten: Revisiting Monhegan's Celebrated 1914 Art Exhibition.”