WEST PARIS — The Friends of the West Paris Library will host a retrospective of the paintings of Martha Day (1912-2006). “Martha’s Vision” will be the first display of artwork in the library’s new addition.

Day was a co-founder of the Friends of the Library group and served on the library’s board of trustees. As an avid reader, she was a charter member of a local book discussion group, that today is entering its 45th year.

All who knew Day were impressed by her love of knowledge, which led her to take courses throughout her life, including summer vacations attending elder hostels in New England. She valued swimming, walking and yoga.

Jane Wheeler and Eve Reid, Day’s daughters, said their mother was a “late bloomer” as an artist. She began to paint in her 50s, with a correspondence course, followed by instruction with various artists through adult education.

She became a member of the Western Maine Art Group and continued painting, purely for her own pleasure, finishing her final painting at the age of 80.

Twelve of Day’s works will be on display at the library. She worked mostly in oils, and many of the paintings are landscapes. Most of the paintings are on loan from family, with the addition of a still life from the West Paris Universalist Church, where Day was a member. “Spring Flowers” is on loan from the friend who took her to church when she could no longer drive.

The opening reception for “Martha’s Vision” will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10., at the West Paris Library on Main Street. Day’s work will continue to be on display through Oct. 30, during library hours, from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Monday and Friday, from 1:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, call 674-2004.