“State of the Union” by Debra Arter if reflective of her intriguing and colorful work which always has something to say.
“State of the Union” by Debra Arter if reflective of her intriguing and colorful work which always has something to say.

Debra Arter, uses a multiple media approach to art. Known for her printmaking and collage, she also enjoys painting and assemblage. Her subject matter ranges from realistic to abstract. Steve Viega is a woodworker who creates functional art for marine and residential uses. At the Pemaquid Gallery he will be showing unique bowls that highlight the natural beauty of the wood.

Deb Arter remembers her first “serious” art project was a third grade class bulletin board titled “What the Wind Does,” and in high school she won the state anti-smoking poster contest and her design was mass produced. She went on to earn a BA degree in Art Education, and a Masters in Fine Arts. She is a member of many art societies and guilds, and has taught printmaking extensively in the mid-coast Maine area.

Arter’s work reflects a wide-ranging interest in poetry, history and music. A recurring theme is houses and homes, as they reflect the personalities of the inhabitants. Much of her work can be seen as a kind of storytelling, as though the work has something to say, which may or may not be obvious to the viewer! Whatever the subject, her work is intriguing, colorful and delightful, recalling Matisse, Bonnard, and Klee among many other of her favorite artists. She can be seen online at the sites of societies she belongs to including the Monotype Guild of New England, www.mgne.org. She will also be showing her work in Brunswick this fall.

Functional woodworking is the goal and Steve Viega of Walpole and bowls are just some of the fine woodworking he is exhibiting this season at the Pemaquid Art Gallery.
Functional woodworking is the goal and Steve Viega of Walpole and bowls are just some of the fine woodworking he is exhibiting this season at the Pemaquid Art Gallery.

Steve Viega also remembers early inspiration for working with wood as he grew up in rural Connecticut, which led a degree in forestry from Paul Smith’s College in the New York Adirondack Mountains. On graduation, he worked as a finish carpenter until he became involved in wooden boatbuilding in Maine, where he worked as a joiner in the famed boatyards of the mid-coast, learning from world-class boat builders and joiners.

Viega has now launched his own business, Steve Viega Woodworks, in Walpole. He offers a wide range of fine woodworking services, marine and residential, from furniture to sign carving, new and renovated. After a fire in 2016 destroyed his studio and new house, he is as determined as ever to pursue his art with functional woodworking. The bowls he is showing in his first year at the Pemaquid Gallery are stunning. His work may be seen online at www.svwoodworks.com.

Artists all reside within the Lincoln County area. The Gallery is situated within Lighthouse Park at Pemaquid Point, Bristol and online at www.pemaquidartgallery.com. The gallery is open daily through Columbus Day, from 10 AM until 5 PM.