As the Midcoast region awakens from a very long winter and unfolds into summer, the Wiscasset Art Walk on Thursday, June 26, from 5 to 8 p.m., kicks off the season. The June Art Walk, one of four scheduled during the summer, is a free, self-guided walking tour through the village with an emphasis on community culture, art and performance.

On these evenings, artists’ studios, galleries, and shops stay open late and local musicians will be playing on the sidewalks and in the galleries.

During the June Art Walk, follow the aroma of steaming seafood and venture down to the Creamery Pier on Main Street at the bridge, where you’ll hear lively foot-tapping tunes by Wiscasset’s own Narrow Gauge String Band.

The band was formed in 1997 when five guys with a love for traditional music and catchy tunes got together to play for a picnic at the old Wiscasset-Waterville Narrow Gauge Railroad. After the gig they continued to play once a week. The musicians play mandolin, fiddle, guitar, bass and harmonica.

The Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts will have a tent on the Pier where clay artists will give demonstrations on the pottery wheel. A variety of completed handcrafted ceramics will be displayed for sale. Meet the artists and learn about Watershed's summer and fall programs.

Wiscasset artist, illustrator and graphic designer Sean Closson will demonstrate pen and ink drawing techniques on the Pier during June’s Art Walk. Closson is a talented freelance illustrator with training in a wide variety of drawing and painting disciplines. Most of his current work is done digitally with a Wacom drawing tablet and Adobe Photoshop and/or Corel Painter. Closson will have illustrations for sale, and he’s been known to create on-the-spot portraits of patrons as their favorite action heroes.

The Maine Craft Shack on the Pier, with gorgeous views of the Sheepscot River, will feature small treasures made by over 30 local crafters. Near-by, the new Twin Bridges Regional Jail Industries Woodshop displays and sells prisoner-made furniture, birdhouses, and other handsome and durable wood items.

Before leaving the Pier, be sure to take a close look at the Turner Creamery Railroad car and marvel at the reconstructed ingenuity of a bygone era. After your Creamery Pier sojourn, stroll through the Village to enjoy Wiscasset’s artist-owned galleries, artist studios, unique shops and historic architecture.

To complete your evening, climb on board the Woodfield Farm wagon for a delightful tour of the village and the new Wiscasset Museum in the Streets landmark signs.

The Wiscasset Art Walk will be held on the last Thursday of the next four months: June 26, July 31, August 28 and September 25, from 5 p.m to 8 p.m.

For more information about participating in Wiscasset Art Walk as an artist, performer, volunteer or sponsor, contact event coordinators Lucia Droby at ludroby@verizon.net or Ann Scanlan at 207-882-8290.