LEWISTON — Lyceum Gallery will celebrate its grand opening on Friday, March 16, with the opening of “The Works of Michael Ranucci,” a solo exhibit of the Auburn artist’s still life, landscape and portrait paintings.

There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:15 p.m.

Ranucci has been painting for more than 25 years. His representational style is inspired by Rembrandt’s use of light and shadow. “Often, I see everyday objects made beautiful just in the way light washes over them,” Ranucci said. “Interpreting and explaining this beauty in my paintings is the source of endless variety and subject matter.”

The exhibit of more than 40 paintings features a variety of common objects in everyday life — from stuffed animals, books and bean pots to nuts, sprigs of flowers and dishes.

Ranucci’s newest work shows a sense of whimsy with stuffed monkeys, kangaroos and puppies carefully posed in imagined group conversations. Though a bit whimsical, these paintings also have the same strength and beauty that collectors of Ranucci’s work find in his more traditional still-life oils.

Gallery events scheduled during the exhibit include the following:

Creative Conversations: Why do I collect contemporary art? Friday, March 23 from 6:30-7:30 p.m..

Pecha Kucha Night: 20 slides X 20 seconds. What creative ideas do you have for Lewiston-Auburn? Friday, April 20, from 6:20-8:30.

Lyceum Gallery will host Lewiston Auburn Film Festival movies on Saturday, April 14.

Opened in April 2006, Lyceum Gallery, formerly known as L/A Arts Gallery 5, is at 49 Lisbon St.  Gallery hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, or by appointment. For more information, call 576-4805 or visit www.lyceumgallery.com.