Ann Tracy
Work by Ann Tracy.

Saco artist Ann Tracy will present “Unlikely Universes,” an exhibition of digital works on canvas, metal and paper, from Oct. 2 to 25 at Oak Street Lofts Gallery in Portland.

An artist’s reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 2, with a 7 p.m. musical interlude by the Back Cove Bones trombone quartet.

The limited-edition series grew from Tracy’s effort to prevent microplastics from acrylic paint from entering the groundwater near her home. To make her studio practice more environmentally friendly, Tracy began washing her brushes in a metal cup and pouring the colored liquid into an aluminum pan, where the water could evaporate.

As Tracy worked, swirling, colorful patterns emerged in the pan. She photographed the residue, which reminded her of images from the Hubble Space Telescope and ideas about multiple universes existing beyond what can be detected in our three-dimensional world.

“Since I was creating universes, why not populate them?” Tracy said. “At least I won’t be putting micro-plastics into the water in our universe, on the only planet we have.”

The exhibition will also feature an ekphrastic poetry performance at 4 p.m. Oct. 10. Charles Rolsky of the Shaw Institute will present “Plastics vs. People” at 4 p.m. Oct. 24.

Tracy has worked in photography, painting and digital art and has exhibited since her first group show in San Francisco in 1998. Her photography and art have appeared in group exhibitions from Spain and Hungary to New York and Japan. She was a finalist in the Julia Margaret Cameron Awards in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Tracy is a founding member of the Midcoast/Downeast regional group of the Union of Maine Visual Artists and serves on the organization’s board of directors. She is also a member of the Maine Art Collective, Monotype Guild of New England, Professional Women Photographers and Saco Public Arts Commission.

Oak Street Lofts Gallery is at 72 Oak St., between Congress and Cumberland streets, in Portland. Hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and by appointment. Appointment requests may be sent at least one week in advance to quackyann@duck.com. Admission is free.