NORWAY – A descendant of Norway naturalist and mineralogist George Howe will be a judge at this year’s Norway Sidewalk Art Show, hosted by Norway Downtown Revitalization. Landscape artist Doug Howe of Portland will be joined by another Portland artist, David Little, in judging the July 9 show.

The Sidewalk Art Show, now in its 33rd year, is the highlight of the July 7 to 10 Norway Summer Festival, which celebrates local arts and cultural history. This year’s festival will honor native son George Howe (1851-1950), one of the early discoverers of the mineral wealth of western Maine.

As a teen growing up in Norway, Doug Howe, who is in his 70s, can remember being among the scores of young people who visited the elder Howe at his home atop Pike’s Hill.

“He was always interested in what you had to say. And he was generous; he’d make sure everyone left with a little specimen” from his mineral collection, Howe said.

Howe’s great-great-great-grandfather was Captain Jessie Howe of Norway, who was George Howe’s grandfather.

Howe, a 1954 graduate of Norway High School, studied art at the American Academy of Arts in Chicago and retired in 2000 after a 39-year career as a staff artist and art director for the Portland Press Herald. He is represented by the Bayview Gallery in Portland.

Little judged the 2001 Norway Sidewalk Art Show and said he is looking forward to returning this year. He has a master’s in fine arts from the University of Iowa and has attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture.

Little’s work has been shown at several Maine galleries and will be shown this summer at Thomas Moser Cabinetmakers, the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport and at the Sam Shaw Gallery in Northeast Harbor in July.

In 1998, Little received the Carina House Fellowship Award for five weeks at Monhegan Island given by the Farnsworth Museum. He was also featured in the 1999 issue of Maine Boats and Harbors in an article “Eye on the Coast.”

Approximately 80 artists participating in this year’s show will compete for $1,500 in cash prizes, including the return of the Merchant’s Award, a cash award and ribbon, being offered by the Norway Business Association.

Artists who have not yet sent in their registration are encouraged to do so soon. Entry fees are $50 until June 15 and $60 thereafter, space allowing.

For more information, call Art Show Coordinator Gail Geraghty at 743-1998 or Anne Campbell, program manager of Norway Downtown Revitalization, at 739-2215.

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