“Girl Who Never Gives Up,” Jody Solow. 24″ x 18″ x 1.5″, acrylic on canvas, $850 Submitted photo

An eclectic virtual art show featuring the works of five midcoast artists who have attended New Ventures Maine classes and workshops will be hosted during the month of February by the Camden Public Library. The art show will be complemented by a presentation at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9, on Zoom by several of the artists and New Ventures Maine Workforce Specialist Melinda Wildes. The virtual art show may be viewed at librarycamden.org/event/nvme-art-show. To request a link to attend the Zoom program, please email jpierce@librarycamden.org.

“Mr. Steve,” Marjorie Strauss. 20″ x 16″, oil on panel, sample of portrait commission, not for sale Submitted photo

The five artists in the exhibit are Christina Barstow, Sue Garrett, E.L. (Lisa) Morgan, Jody Solow, and Marjorie Strauss.

“Still Life With Red Onion,” E.L. Morgan. 8″ x 8″, oil painting, $300 Submitted photo

NVME, a statewide organization with free online classes, helps Maine people succeed in their jobs, businesses, and communities. The classes cover topics like career building, finding new employment, starting or growing a small business, money management, returning to school, and more. The Camden Public Library has been a community partner of NVME for many years by offering a warm and welcoming meeting space for the organization’s free, in-person classes (prior to COVID).

“This art show was inspired by a winter Building Confidence class in 2020, where almost every class participant was an artist,” says Wildes. “The class benefits those who are in challenging life transitions or who are seeking the confidence to move ahead with their goals and aspirations.” A number of artists in the class were seeking ways to network and exhibit their art work. A virtual art show provided the library and NVME a great opportunity to collaborate once again and support aspiring midcoast artists. Participating artists have also kindly pledged to donate 20% of sales from the show to benefit the Camden Public Library.

Please visit librarycamden.org for more information on this and other upcoming library programs.