The closing reception for Maine Art Gallery’s critically acclaimed “Acquired Symbols” show was a festive and well attended event July 16 at the gallery in Wiscasset.

The show, that opened over a month ago, featured the work of 92-year-old Maine artist John Lorence and a group of 11 of his friends and former students. He and many of them were at the closing event, reminiscing about their times working and learning together.

The artists, Elliott Barowitz, Matt Blackwell, Felice Boucher, Clara Cohan, Camille Buch Cole, Sara Cox, Ellen Gutekunst, Peter Haller, Jorge Pena, Patrick Plourde and Teresa Sullivan, worked collaboratively to put the show together.

Their work is diverse, including mixed-media, collage, sculpture, photography, pottery, drawing and painting. A number of the works sold, benefiting the artist and the gallery.

Lorence, in remarks to the group, drew on shared memories and said he was honored to be with his fellow artists. Jorge Pena, who curated the show along with Peter Haller, discussed how at first the idea for bringing so many artists and their work together seemed an impossible task, but how delighted he is that it worked so well.

The gallery’s next show, “Plein Air,” opens July 21. This  show that will feature the work of over 20 artists, who will be outdoors painting scenes of the Midcoast July 21-24.

By the 24th, all the new wet works will be available for viewing and for sale in the gallery. Already completed works by the same artists will be on view and for sale in the gallery beginning on the 21st.

The gallery will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 21-24. At 4 p.m. on July 24 there will be a reception for the artists, open to the public.

The Maine Art Gallery is located at 15 Warren St., just a two-minute drive or an eight-minute walk from downtown Wiscasset.

The Maine Art Gallery is a nonprofit 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 at maineartgallerywiscasset.org and on Facebook at Maine Art Gallery Wiscasset.