Saltwater Artists have gathered the last two weekends to ready the Bristol gallery for the traditional Memorial Day weekend opening day on Friday, May 23. The roof has been completed, the bathroom renewed and walls painted. This long standing nonprofit co-op of 20-plus members represent some of the best of the Midcoast artists working in varied 2- and 3D mediums.

The loyal patrons and visitors who have enjoyed making a summer visit to this gallery for well over 20 years will be rewarded this season by viewing exciting fresh work by old favorites supplemented by wonderful presentations by seven new members. The gallery is especially pleased to announce the return of a founding artist, Audrey Bechler of Waldoboro. Her ever popular watercolors and acrylics depict the best of our local mid coast Maine. Additional founding members, Consuelo Eames Hanks and Julian Sacks will be the 2014 guest artists.

During the first three weeks, drop by to view a sampling of the new members’ work located in our newly designated entrance gallery. This section of the gallery will rotate a sampling of all the artists’ work in a series of mini exhibitions throughout the season. The last two weeks of June will be highlighted by a special group showing of a few of the original founders of the Saltwater Artists Gallery going back to its beginning concept in Waldoboro.

A special reception will be held Friday, June 20 to recognize and thank the original gallery founders for establishing a nonprofit co-op organization that has nurtured and given so many local artists an opportunity to display their chosen medium.

Midge Coleman’s watercolors and pastels will grace the gallery walls this season, along with the still lifes and portraits of Kim Hetherington. Joe and Mary from Devenney Pottery will share their subtle application of color in their lovely jars, bottles, bowls and unique teapots. Lizzy Derecktor’s chosen medium is painting on Chinese silk to create free flowing wearable art that appeals to the dancer in all of us.

Pam Joy has turned her background in graphic art and love of nature’s coastal gifts into appealing driftwood and stone sculptures. Steve Viega of Walpole utilizes his background in forestry and boat building to demonstrate his fine wood working and joinery skills by making furniture and creating free form bowls from exotic wood. His bowls offer great visual and textual delight combined with every day utility.

Saltwater Artists Gallery is located on Pemaquid Point Road in Bristol. The doors open Friday, May 23 at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Monday May 26. Thereafter, the gallery will be open Fridays through Mondays until June 20 when the gallery will be open seven days a week.

The gallery is near the end of Route 130 on the left just prior to the turn to Pemaquid Lighthouse Park.

For more information, call 207-677-2490.