Workers at Museum L-A in Lewiston hang a hand-woven fishing net from Port Clyde in preparation for the upcoming exhibit titled The Lost Art of Handiwork.

LEWISTON — Museum L-A is honoring artisans throughout Maine in its new gallery exhibit titled The Lost Art of Handiwork.

For years, Museum L-A has been collecting the history of the ancestors of the community, preserving the mementos of their hard work, ingenuity and creativity. Many of the pieces in the collection are handcrafted items, including an embroidered baptism set, hand-forged golf clubs and personally designed wood, stone and metal weaving hooks.

One such piece was found in the museum’s collection. The tablecloth of Madame Martha Grenier Rivard donned her large dinner table whenever she had a gathering. She invited her guests to sign the tablecloth, and it was quickly filled with songs, birthday wishes, signatures, and heartfelt dedications in both English and French.

After the gathering was over, she would stitch over these notes creating a colorful embroidered record of the events and memories at her home, spanning more than 50 years. This creative take on a “guest book” was the result of a traditional style of handiwork and is an inspiration for innovative ways to keep track of memories.

The search extended to Port Clyde, once a thriving fishing haven where nets were woven by fishermen. Twine, specifically chosen based on its weight and buoyancy, would be woven or laced together to create fishing nets extending over 80 feet. In recognition of a tradition not yet dead, a fishing net will be hung in the museum gallery.

In an effort to capture contemporary works, Museum L-A sent out a statewide call for submissions of handmade pieces of art and handiwork. Jury members, who are also crafters, reviewed the work which included spanned all techniques and styles, from textile crafts like embroidery and quilting to woodworking and metalworking.

Every object tells a story to show that this work is deeply personal and relatable to those who craft as well as to those who don’t. By bringing together crafters throughout the state, the exhibit will celebrate the diversity of our cultures and traditions.

“We have heard countless stories about the traditional craft work that was made by workers in the mills and in the community, and realized that there are still people making things with their hands today,” Emma Sieh, Museum L-A’s Collection and Exhibits Coordinator explains. “Especially with the resurgence of community craft fairs, these artisans are putting their skills to the test and changing the way we look at ‘traditional handiwork.’”

The public is invited to attend the free opening reception for the exhibit on from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 13. Throughout the evening, visitors will be able to meet and talk with the crafters about their work that is on display, as well as watch demonstrations of real-time weaving and embroidery by local groups and community members.

The exhibit will run from June 14 to Sept. 15.

Museum L-A is in the Bates Mill Complex at 35 Canal St. in Lewiston. It is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Special tour requests and large group tours outside of these hours are available by appointment.

For more information, contact [email protected] or call 207-333-3881.