LOCAL COLOR Swallowtail Woodcut x by Sumner Roberts
“Swallowtail” by Sumner Roberts.

Local Color Gallery in Belfast held an evening of art and poetry for its first Fourth Friday event of 2025 on Feb. 28.

Sumner Roberts, local woodcut artist, presents a show at the gallery beginning that continues through March 22. A farmer and farrier for many years, Roberts says, “I finally held on to the wrong horse too long and damaged my back. Looking for something else to do with a similar level of beauty and craftsmanship but less heavy lifting, I happened to visit a printmaking studio and immediately knew where I wanted to be. Although appreciating the classic beauty of black and white woodcuts, I can rarely resist the added fun and complexity of working with color.”

During the event, participants in Local Color’s recent poetry workshop, led by Judy Kaber, read the poems they composed in response to paintings in the gallery. Known as “ekphrastic” poems, these compositions will hang on the walls next to their inspirations until March 22. Each poem was read aloud by its author, and the audience was invited to share their thoughts about the art/poetry relationship.

Local Color Gallery is at 135 High St., Belfast. Learn more at localcolorgallerymaine.com.