Author and illustrator Ashley Bryan. Image courtesy of Bob Thayer.

Archipelago the Island Institute Store, located at 386 Main St. in Rockland, reopened on June 24 and is adhering to the CDC guidelines for the health and safety of its customers and staff.

Current hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

As part of its reopening, store is also celebrating the latest release by Maine author and illustrator Ashley Bryan, an autobiography titled “Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace.”

The book is a deeply moving picture-book memoir about serving in the segregated army during World War II and how love and the pursuit of art sustained him. In May of 1942, at the age of 18, Ashley was drafted to fight in World War II, and for the next three years he faced the horrors of war as a black soldier in a segregated army. Forty years later, he tells his story.

Filled with never-before-seen artwork and handwritten letters and diary entries, this illuminating and moving memoir by the Newbery Honor-winning illustrator is both a lesson in history and a testament to hope.

While shopping at Archipelago, customers are asked to adhere to several guidelines, which are posted at the store and online. Guidelines include a maximum of eight customers in the store at one time, required face coverings, minimum six feet of distance between one another, credit cards only (no cash accepted), and guests are asked to sanitize their hands at the hands-free stand upon entering, follow the directional arrows on the floor, handle items only if purchasing them, and bag their own items if they bring their own bag. Only service animals are permitted inside, and children under 8 are discouraged from shopping at this time.

Items are also available through the online store at www.thearchipelago.net. Call 207-596-0701 for more information.