LEWISTON – When 20-plus artists looked for topics for the newest, themed exhibit in L/A Arts’ Gallery 5, they closely examined frogs, flowers, feathers, cars, candy, wine and more.

The juried “Up Close and Personal” exhibition will open Wednesday, Feb. 4, with a public reception from 5 to 7 p.m.; followed by an Artist Talk from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5. Still life photographer Lorraine Giasson will discuss her unique merging of scanner and computer to create photographic imagery. Artist Talks are free, but donations are appreciated and reservations are recommended so adequate seating can be provided. Call L/A Arts at 782-7228.

“Up Close and Personal” features some returning artists and many new ones. New to Gallery 5 are painters Ed McCartan, Bruce Goodwin, Scott Hunter and Elaine McMichael; Margaret Leonard and Kelly Christopher, mixed media; and photographers Christine Cote, Steven Langerman and Martha Lentz.

Returning artists are photographers Len Bartel, John Matt Dorn, Lorraine Giasson, Daniel J Marquis, Michael Nathaniel Meyer, Richard Murrell, Petrea Noyes and Tom Reichard; painter Stephanie Berry; furniture designers McIntosh and Tuttle; potter Mary Kay Spencer; and jewelry artists Kathryn Beausang, Mary Pongonis and Judith Barker.

Master oil painter Michael Ranucci of Auburn, known for his old masters’ style, is featured in all Gallery 5 exhibits this year.

Gallery hours for the “Up Close and Personal” exhibit are 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and by appointment by calling Tammie Grieshaber at 576 4805. Gallery 5 is at 49 Lisbon St. For more information, call (207) 782-7228 or log on to www.laarts.org.