LEWISTON – Iridescent blues glimmer and shades of saffron yellow glow in an eclectic collection showcased in this year’s annual L/A Arts Winter Holidays art exhibit.

With a two-fold mission of supporting local artists and promoting the intangible value of art, L/A Arts hopes to convince local residents that art isn’t just for the upper class, but for anyone who appreciates creative interpretations of beauty.

“There’s no right or wrong response to art,” said Andrew Harris, executive director for L/A Arts. “It’s purely individual, and it’s what’s in your heart.”

After a recent successful open house, Gallery 5 and the Community Gallery will display juried pieces that run the gamut from delicately exquisite jewelry to arts- and crafts-style wooden pieces, to glamorously large oils through the winter holidays. All items are for sale and range in price from $60 to $2,800, said Gallery 5 manager Tammie Grieshaber.

“We really want everyone to know what truly quality artistic work is like,” said Grieshaber. “And what satisfaction it can be to own an original piece that no one else owns.”

Both venues are in downtown Lewiston, with the Community Gallery at the L/A Arts Office at 221 Lisbon St., and Gallery 5 adjacent to Fuel at 49 Lisbon St. Hours at Gallery 5 are from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, or by appointment, said Grieshaber. Community Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Opened since April 2007, Gallery 5 displays about six shows a year, said Grieshaber. Each exhibit features on only Maine artists and normally projects a theme. However, the Winter Holiday show goes beyond the boundary of a theme and is geared toward holiday gift purchases.

The current exhibit welcomes the return of local favorites who have developed a following such a painters Michael Ranucci and Ray Michaud, and photographers Daniel J. Marquis, Len Bartel and Jim Walker.


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