New works on paper by John Vander at Gold/Smith Gallery July 29 to Sept. 18.

Said Vander, “This is a visual remembrance of a short trip to the island of Sicily this year in January. The  classical and baroque share a loving cup of the local wine. Everything  was very different from Tuscany. The sky was a deeper clearer blue, the sea a transparent turquoise and all the colors seemed to be electrified. Arriving at night, the half moon rising over the sea, heading to Mount Etna from Catania Airport, with its curve parallel to the sea was a profound and magical preface of things to come. I returned to Tuscany and began painting this new and extremely colorful experience.

“I hope my paintings can bring to my viewers the soft breezes, the ancient Greek ruins, the hilly fertile earth, Etna’s profound power over the island and my new and deeply felt love for everything on Bella Sicilia.”

There will be a reception for the artist at Gold/Smith Gallery, 8 McKown St., Boothbay Harbor, from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2.

For more information the gallery can be reached at 207-633-6252 or goldsmithgallerybbh@gmail.com.