LEWISTON – The Central Maine Medical Center Rotating Art Gallery is featuring two local artists during October: David Footer and Nancy Preble.

Footer,76, has been involved with nature and wildlife on many levels for more than 65 years. As a young farm boy, he developed an interest in the beauty of nature; and at the age of 10, he became interested in taxidermy.

As a young trapper, Footer learned the habits of wildlife and the balance of nature. At the same time, his interest grew in art as he borrowed books from the Lewiston Public Library and began studying the works of great masters.

Eventually, Footer began to learn the subtle nuances and techniques of using light and color. He developed an international reputation in the art of fish mounting.

Footer guided on the Broadback River in northern Quebec for 26 seasons. During that time, he spent thousands of hours watching the movements of fish. He acquired firsthand knowledge of the wilderness in Maine, Quebec, Labrador, Ungava Bay Region and Alaska.

Since 1994, his art has been on the covers of Maine Fish and Wildlife, Canada’s Eastern Woods and Waters, and in 2002, a 13-page feature story was published in the Art of Angling Journal. Most recently it was in a pictorial publication from the Images of America series, titled “Rangeley Lakes Region,” by Don Palmer, president of the Rangeley Region Guides’ and Sportsmen’s Association.

Footer has gained recognition for his devotion to helping and supporting programs dedicated to the use and protection of the outdoors. He has received the Award of Merit and Certificate of Appreciation from the “Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs” program from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s Maine Warden Service.

Maine’s chapter of the Izaak Walton League, as well as many chapters of Trout Unlimited and Ducks Unlimited throughout the state and country, recognize Footer for his support.

Preble, a lifelong resident of Lewiston-Auburn, is a self-taught photographer who has enjoyed the art form as a hobby for many years.

She has won recognition and several awards for her work, including the state Web site, taking second for her image titled “Winter Wonderland in 2002.” She has participated in several exhibitions, including USM-LA, Fryeburg, Cumberland and Oxford fairs.

Preble was chosen to participate in the 2006 Turner Center Art Exhibition. An example of her work was published in a book compiled by the International Library of Photography in 2004.

The Central Maine Medical Center Art Gallery is sponsored by the Woman’s Hospital Association in its effort to support patients through fundraising projects during the year. For more information about the association, call the hospital gift shop at 795-2295. To learn more about the art exhibits, call Kathleen Cormier at 346-3462.