River Arts in Damariscotta will hold its opening reception for the “Celebrating Color” exhibition on Friday, Dec. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. The show includes 90 artworks by artists from Steuben to Biddeford, in a wide variety of media, including sculpture and fine crafts. The exhibition will hang until Jan. 18.

Local artists (Boothbay region, Damariscotta area, Wiscasset area) are: Susan Atwater, Mary Jane Bradford, John Butke, Elaine Eskesen, Jean Harris, Sally Smith, Polly Steadman, Bob Thomas, Helen Warner and Judi Taylor.

John Lorence, juror for the exhibition, is a recipient of fellowships at YADDO, the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation, and the McDowell colony. He has exhibited paintings and sculpture extensively in solo and group exhibitions in Europe, the Middle East and the U.S. and his works are among private and public collections including the Bradley collection at the Milwaukee Art Museum. His educational credentials are numerous and eclectic, from Oxford University to Maine's own Haystack School of Art.

A 40-year retrospective of his work was held at the Maine Art Gallery in Wiscasset.

Visitors can also view a new  exhibition in the West Galley featuring the work of the Midcoast Printmakers of Damariscotta.

River Arts is located at 241 Route 1 in Damariscotta and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  For more information, call 207-563-1507, email info@riverartsme.org or visit  www.riverartsme.org.