Collective Imagination, an exhibit that includes abstract paintings by the SEVEN collective, opens with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Maine Art Gallery in Wiscasset. From left, back row, are Michel Droge, Emily Blaschke, Don Peterson, Celeste June Henriquez and Alicia Etheridge, middle row, Doreen Nardone and Brenda Overstrom and front center, Jenny Campbell.

The newest show at the Maine Art Gallery in Wiscasset opens on Aug. 20, with seven artists who bonded during abstract painting classes at the Maine College of Art and Design. They developed a strong connection with their teacher, Michel Droge, and chose to repeat their class several times. During this period, they also became such close colleagues that when the class was discontinued, the artists searched for a way to continue to meet with Droge. The result was SEVEN, an artists collective.

“I suggested that they form a collective and write a manifesto describing their mission,” Droge said. “We all would meet once a month to critique each other’s work. I maintained a mentor role and led the discussions. There has been great value in their serious, rigorous practice of painting and critique.”

These seven strangers, who came together in a community to support each other, created a manifesto that changes periodically, but each artist is primarily an abstract painter who meets with the group in a spirit of generosity.

The collective named the exhibit “Collective Imagination.” An opening reception will be held in newly air-conditioned comfort from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 20, with music by Simons & Goodwin. Refreshments will be served. The show continues during normal gallery hours, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturday, through Sept. 17.

There will be a second opportunity to meet the artists at 4 p.m. Aug. 25 when the gallery presents an artist talk. The group members will talk about what it’s like to be in a collective, discuss their work and describe the sources of their inspiration.

The Maine Art Gallery is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement and preservation of the visual, fine and applied arts through exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations and educational programs for children and adults since 1958. More information can be found at maineartgallerywiscasset.org on Facebook at The Maine Art Gallery Inc. and on Instagram @maineartgallerywiscasset. The gallery is located at 15 Warren St., Wiscasset.