FARMINGTON – Professor Sarah Maline, curator of UMF Art Gallery, has been hearing about the “great wood show” put on 20 years ago by then-curator Tom Higgins, ever since she came to UMF 10 years ago.

Maline decided to expand on the idea of a wood show, broadening the theme to attract more diverse artists.

“I wanted to do a show that would appeal to regional artists as well as contemporary artists,” Maline said of the “Wood One Exhibit.” The first show was more about the substance and material craftsmanship of wood, while this show is about the concepts, politics and substance of wood, Maline said.

The public reception for Wood One will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., today with the exhibit on display until Sept. 16.

The exhibit showcases 18 different artists, which Maline believes is the most the art gallery has ever had in one show. Pieces range from photography to a paper mache bed bug with twigs for arms by Kathleen Welch of Hightower and Sparks sculptors, to installation pieces and a self-portrait made out of wood and twigs which is said to be the same height as the artist, UMF Professor Dona Seegers.

The late Bernard Langlais’ “Dog Scratching Fleas” has found a spot in both wood shows. Langlais’ piece, which is a handcrafted dog lying on its back, was part of the inspiration for this show, Maline said.

UMF librarian and artist Nancy Romines Walter was one of the few artists who created her pieces specifically for the show.

“I think the show overall is really interesting. The way Sarah worded the concept of the show is that it could be about wood itself, or just the woods,” Romines Walters said.

Romines Walters has three pieces in the show – an installation, two wooden knots of basswood and a photo collage. Her work has been showcased in Portland, New York, California, Japan and England.

Her installation piece, which is made out of artificial leaves and crystals, represents the idea of what it’s like to be under a canopy of leaves. Romines Walters chose to use artificial leaves instead of real ones to show that “what’s man-made can never compete with the beauty you find in nature,” Romines Walters said.

Maline has had the help of her summer assistant Debbie Arsenault and work study students Logan Simpson and Meghan Dzyak in setting up the extensive exhibit. Set up has been difficult with such diverse art pieces, Maline said.

“All their work relates directly to wood, but not necessarily to each other,” the curator said.

Maline is anticipating a good crowd tonight, with anywhere from 80 to 200 in attendance.