Mars Hall
Ronald Frontin, “Light From Above.”

As the country celebrates its 250th birthday, Mars Hall Gallery in Martinsville celebrates the work of American realist painter Ronald Frontin with “In the Studio.”

A native of midcoast Maine, Frontin left the state briefly to attend Philadelphia College of Art from 1981 to 1985 and apprenticed with portrait painter Nelson Shanks from 1985 to 1988. Known for capturing the spirit of Maine’s hard-working fishermen, farmers and everyday people, Frontin has also received commissions for well-known figures, including former Gov. John McKernan and Margaret Chase Smith.

“In the Studio” features a retrospective of work, beginning with a painting Frontin made with Shanks in the late 1980s and extending to recent studies. In addition to his masterworks, the exhibition includes studies and a portfolio of works on paper. Frontin will paint at the gallery during the show when available, with announcements posted on the gallery website.

A reception for Frontin and Mars Hall artists was held on July 10.

In the main gallery, Mars Hall presents a group show by gallery artists. On display are watercolors by Leo Brooks, Nat Lewis, Cam Noel, Elaine Reed and Carl Sublett; acrylics and oils by Jeannette Steel Esposito, Kris Johnson, Sharon Larkin, Maurice Michel Lode, Manuel Rincon, Carl Sublett, Ron Weaver, Ukrainian artist Georgia Zaychenko, James Zoller and Eleanor Zuccola; encaustic work by Otty Merrill; collage by Roderick Slater, Pietro Stanziale and Eleanor Zuccola; assemblage by Constance Kiermaier and Otty Merrill; and three-dimensional work by Ian Baird, Bill Cook, Bill Nichols, Elaine Niemi and Rudy Rotter.

Sculptures by Brian Read are also available outside in the gardens. Inside, the gallery offers quality crafts, including decoupage by Davene Fahy and stained glass, pottery and mosaics by Dona Bergen. For collectors, the gallery offers antiques, vintage and silver jewelry, books, prints and 1960s and ’70s rock posters.

Mars Hall Gallery is at 621 Port Clyde Road (Rt. 131) in Martinsville. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday until Labor Day or by appointment. For more information or to make an appointment, call 207-372-9996 or 207-372-8194, email marshallgallery@roadrunner.com, or go to www.marshallgallery.net.