RUMFORD - Just before the start of the Christmas shopping season, people will have an opportunity to sample products created by Mainers at a craft center to be built at a new turnpike plaza in West Gardiner.

The center, to be operated by the nonprofit Maine Crafts Association, is the culmination of efforts by many of the state's craftspeople and the merger of the Maine Crafts Association and Piscataquis County's Maine Highlands Guild.

On Wednesday night, more than a dozen craftspeople turned out at the Rumford Public Library to learn about the center's plans, as well as other marketing and educational opportunities revolving around traditional crafts. The local Pennacook Art Center sponsored the presentation.

Lynn Thompson, special projects consultant for the Maine Crafts Association, was making her 16th presentation, one of many she plans statewide.

"Everyone thinks of outdoor recreation when they think of Maine. We want to market Maine as a national crafts destination, too," she said.

The year-round center will be a 2,500-square-foot part of a new travel plaza at the convergence of Route 126 and interstates 95 and 295. It is scheduled to open Nov. 8 with at least 200 crafts created by Maine people. A few fine arts works will also be on display and for sale.

In addition to the sales and display space, the center will also have Web sites and exhibition space devoted to cultural tourism, a shipping counter, demonstrations, workshops and an office for the Maine Crafts Association.

With 25,000 vehicles passing by each day, Thompson said the site is perfect for showcasing the state's crafts.

The Maine Department of Transportation is leasing the space to the organization for $1 a year for five years. Start-up costs, which must be found by the organization, are expected to be about $350,000. Thompson said $191,000 of that figure has been raised, and grants are being sought.

The MCA has also finalized an associate degree program to begin in the fall at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor. The program will organize apprenticeships with master craftspeople from around the state. Thompson said she expects other community colleges in the state to offer similar programs in the future.

The third part of the MCA initiative includes expanding crafts exhibits and sales at mall kiosks, assisting in craft organization projects, networking, and workshops.

People from West Paris, Turner, Rumford and Peru were among the dozen or so who turned out to learn where their craft may fit into the MCA's initiative.

Lee and Sarah Merrill of Peru were interested in finding a market for her aprons and his pack baskets. Kathy Boothby of Rumford creates wood and photo works, and Grace McKivergan of Rumford Center has created linen, wool and cotton woven wall-hangings, pillows, shawls, and other items for more than 30 years.

She is pleased with the direction the association has taken.

"This sounds like a good idea," she said of the craft center.

And she also likes the idea of a community college crafts program.

"I learned to weave as an apprentice," she said. "That program will help keep the traditional arts alive."

Thompson said master craftspeople will be choosing the crafts to be sold at the new center starting this summer. For more information, people may log onto www.mainecrafts.org.