Webbert is a naturalist painter who works primarily in acrylic and watercolor, accenting with ink pen. He has become known for his detailed portraits of owls, but it is clear in his attention to textures and colors that all wildlife fascinates him.

Whether drawing from life or taking inspiration from photographs, he imbues his subjects with character beyond their surface. This can also be seen in his portraiture, where faces tell the story of how he masterfully interprets the spirit of his subject, whether from memory or observation.

Webbert is also drawn to pop culture and popular narratives from Puss and Boots to Harry Potter. Webbert lives in Wayne.

Ponziani’s family relocated to Maine when he was four years old. He attended Bath schools and Maine College of Art, earning his BFA in Sculpture in 1988, then his accreditation to become an art teacher from the University of Southern Maine in 2004.

Ponziani was fortunate enough to be raised near his grandfather, Adam Galuza, who was a blacksmith, lumberjack, woodworker and engineer. He would often watch his grandfather make  tools such as buckets, nails and hinges.

Ponziani has inherited his grandfather’s creativity and spends his time disassembling junk cars, old farm equipment, tools, bikes and many other rusty, discarded metal objects which he uses to create sculptures of whimsical creatures such as birds, fish, crabs and sea turtles.

The Harlow Gallery is at 160 Water Street and is open noon-6 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday. For more information, visit www.harlowgallery.org or call 207-622-3813.

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