NORWAY – Selectmen may not be art critics, but they have agreed to ask voters to use money from a decades-old trust fund to purchase a piece of art in an effort to support the 40th annual Norway Sidewalk Art Show in July.

“It is certainly something we would never do with taxpayers’ money,” said Town Manager David Holt, who suggested that the Hebert Dennison trust fund be tapped to purchase a $400 piece of art that will be on display during the sidewalk art show on July 7.

If voters at the annual town meeting June 12 agree to spend the money, the town will be able to pick from artwork ranging from three dimensional sculpture, stained glass, fine art paintings, drawings, photographs and lithographs. Of the $400 the town would pay, $50 will go toward the Norway Summer Festival and $350 will go to the artist.

The person or group responsible for selecting the artwork for the town would tour the exhibit from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on the festival day. It’s not yet clear who would be responsible for making the decision as to which artwork to purchase, but those responsible for choosing will meet at the Lajos Matolcsy Arts Center at 480 Main St. to decide.

Festival organizers say having the town purchase art would accomplish several things. Original art is considered a good investment. Art pieces become family heirlooms, or in this case, town heirlooms, they say. Purchases enable artists to benefit economically the show and with more purchases, more artists will participate, which in turn draws more people to Oxford Hills to visit and shop, organizers say.

“It’s an economic opportunity,” festival coordinator Aranka Matolcsy told selectmen Thursday night.

The show, first organized in 1967, is considered a highlight of Norway’s summer season.

“It draws serious artwork and artists,” said Matolcsy, the daughter of the late Lajos Matolcsy, who was an artist and longtime art patron.