BRUNSWICK – Bruce Brown, who has made collecting art on a teacher’s salary his way of celebrating the cultural life of his native state, will share a portion of his Maine photographers collection at an exhibit at Thornton Oaks Retirement Community, 25 Thornton Way. The exhibit will open with Brown talking about his collection at 4 p.m. Friday, March 19, followed by a reception from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Brown, who taught English at Freeport High School for 2S years, became interested in art through his effort to engage his students in reading and writing. With a strong interest but little formal training, he began his investigation by visiting a Portland art gallery where he bought a painting on a whim that began his life as a collector.

Brown grew up in South Paris and Portland. In 1955 he began a second career as curator at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockport where he has curated more than 200 exhibitions. His collection has been shown at the Portland Museum of Art, at the Colby College Museum of Art and at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Currently he is exhibiting 14 Maine artists in Brooklyn, N.Y., his first curated show to appear beyond Maine.

Brown was presented a Leadership in the Visual Arts Award in Maine by the Maine College of Art in 2000.

“I like to think that I can serve as an example that everyone can, and should, live with at least one original work of art. To share every day in an artist’s unique vision and imagination day by day is to celebrate the act of creation that enriches both our mind and spirit. It is one of life’s great pleasures,” said Brown.