The public is invited to meet the artists exhibiting in the River Arts’ Members’ Show, view their artwork, enjoy lively conversation, and enjoy light refreshments.

This year’s Members’ Show show presents a bounty of new work from Maine artists capturing the heartbeat of the contemporary Maine art scene. Works on display include paintings, sculpture, pastel, ceramics, original print making, wood, fiber, and photography.

location: 36 Elm St., Damariscotta, ME. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 to 4.

FMI: www.riverartsme.org or call the gallery (207) 563-6868.

image: Old Guk by Eleanor Zuccola

We begin this full-day book arts workshop by designing our Paste Papers. These decorative papers will then be used to bind two multi-gathering books with decorative stitching. The French Sewn is a twisted decorative stitch sewn on tabs, which will be laced into a folded paper cover. The link stitched book is sewn with two needles into a concertina cover.

Workshop instructor, Joelle Webber, has spent 40 years collecting book arts techniques in college and workshop settings. At Mermaid Bindery she binds books and boxes for others as well as writing, paper decorating, collage, calligraphy, pop-up and paper sculpting to illustrate her own artist books and craft work. Building on these creative techniques, she designs workshops for many different communities of makers.

Find more information, and register, here.

workshop location: Artascope Studios, 48 Railroad Suare, Yarmouth, ME 04096, 207-847-4060

Join paper artist Joelle Webber to make Sculpted Paper Flowers using techniques like cupping, curling, scoring, spiraling, crimping, and fringing, we will create a paper bouquet of asters, daisies, poppies, roses, lilies, dandelions, cone flowers and more.

Joelle has spent 40 years collecting book arts techniques in college and workshop settings. At Mermaid Bindery she binds books and boxes for others as well as writing, paper decorating, collage, calligraphy, pop-up and paper sculpting to illustrate her own artist books and craft work. Building on these creative techniques, she designs workshops for many different communities of makers.

Learn more about the workshop, and to register in advance, here.

workshop location: Camden Public Library, 55 Main Street, Camden, ME 04843, 207-236-6673

Meet the artisans of Westport Island Maine! Visit our Makers Market, which will showcase our amazing Island artists, crafts people, and foodies. Join us in the greenhouse for some handmade, holiday shopping.

location: Sasanoa Brewing, 61 Tarbox Road, Westport, Island, ME, (207) 522-0840

link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/122403293234/user/100037550724858/

Hear chilling stories of local hauntings and revel in stories of Christmas past with tour guide, Tracey Whitney! Advance tickets can be purchased here where all will be explained. This is a walking tour so please dress for the weather.

location: Wiscasset Village, Wiscasset, Maine

image: Wiscasset Court House, a stop on the haunted walking tour

About a dozen home bakers will be bringing in a platter of their favorite holiday cookies, and a panel of professional bakers will judge for appearance, texture, FLAVOR, seasonality, and presentation. After the judging, the public is invited to purchase cookies, by donation, to enjoy these seasonal treats.(note: cookies go fast!) Proceeds from cookie sales are donated to Wiscasset’s Feed Our Scholars.

The Christmas Cookie Challenge is one of many activities during Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest weekend!

location: AEkeir Brew Pub, 1st fl., 111 Main St., Wiscasset Village, ME 04578

Make your own holiday kissing ball with basket maker, Mare LeMay. Register in advance by email here. A fee of $30 includes materials, payable at the workshop. Learn more about Mare and Mindful Gardens here,

location: 62 Middle St., Wiscasset, Maine

Learn to make your own ornaments during this hands-on workshop taught by paper artist Joelle Webber. A $10 suggested donation supports St. Philip’s Church community programs. Advance reservation recommended by calling the Church, 207-882-7184, and leaving a message, but not required. Hosted by St. Philip’s Church, 12 Hodge St., Wiscasset, Maine.

image: paper stars made by workshop instructor, Joelle Webber

Watch the Merry & Bright Light Parade as it winds its way through Wiscasset Village with precious cargo, SANTA! A special car drops Santa off at his local Workshop where he greets children and listens to their holiday wishes. All families welcome!

After a chat with Santa, kids are invited to warm up with hot cocoa and special treats and make a few hand-made holiday decorations. Outside, Santa’s woolly sheep are calling for attention; they love gentle pets and back rubs. They’ll be located near a festive back drop where families can take family photos.

Nearby, find s’mores from the fire pit; but if those aren’t enough to satisfy appetites, purchase dinner from food truck, Reggae Eats. Grown-ups will find seasonal adult drinks at the Maine Tasting Center’s outdoor Biergarten.

Truly a Block Party for everyone, brought to you by Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest, Wiscasset Community Center, and Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce. The evening’s sponsor is Dave’s Disposal.

locations: Light Parade route: Hooper St. to Federal St. to Route 1 north. Santa’s Workshop and Block Party, Scout Hall, 7 Lincoln St., Wiscasset, ME, and immediate environs.

image: Light Parade, 2023

Come meet the teachers of Merrymeeting Adult Ed and enjoy giving their hand-made work as gifts for the holidays!

Instructor and paper artist, Joelle Webber, has spent 40 years collecting book arts techniques in college and workshop settings. At Mermaid Bindery she binds books and boxes for others as well as writing, paper decorating, collage, calligraphy, pop-up and paper sculpting to illustrate her own artist books and craft work. Building on these creative techniques, she designs workshops for many different communities of makers.

location: Merrymeeting Adult Ed Center, 35 Republic Avenue, Topsham, ME 04086; 207-729-7323

Make seasonal ornaments with basket maker, Mare LeMay. Register in advance by email here. A fee of $20 includes materials and is payable at the workshop. Learn more about Mare here.

location: 62 Middle St., Wiscasset, Maine

image: Mare makes baskets and stars in her workshop.

Paper Poinsettias add flair to your holiday decorations. Join us for an evening of paper sculpting fun! A great introduction to many paper sculpting techniques, like scoring, crimping, cupping and curling. Tools, hand decorated paste papers and other materials provided.

Joelle Webber has spent 40 years collecting book arts techniques in college and workshop settings. At Mermaid Bindery, she binds books and boxes for others as well as writing, paper decorating, collage, calligraphy, pop-up and paper sculpting to illustrate her own artist books and craft work. Building on these creative techniques, she designs workshops for many different communities of makers.

Class link - https://merrymeeting.maineadulted.org/course/sculpted-paper-poinsettias/

Location: Merrymeeting Adult Ed Center, 35 Republic Avenue, Topsham, ME 04086, 207-729-7323

image: a sculpted paper poinsettia

Attention lovers of literature, writers, storytellers, and tall tale spinners! We invite you to join us for a special finale of The Sounding Board.

Over the last year, The Sounding Board has been a special place for all of us to share the important practice, process, and work of being writers. It is a space where we can get our writing out into the open and in front of a kind and receptive audience. This is the last Sounding Board we’ll offer before the Merry Barn closes its doors in December, and we would love to make it an extra special event.

Calling all writers and neighbors to come and enjoy featured author, Cynthia Reeves, and this wonderful community that has gathered together to listen, read aloud, and be inspired by local authors, and friends. 

Interested in sharing your work? Submit 750 words to read aloud by November 11 here.

Gathering and light refreshments begin at 5:30 p.m., with readings starting at 6 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. FMI here.

The Garden Club of Wiscasset invites the public to hear Irene Brady Barber, PhD, who will speak on “Garden Design: a New England Lens.” This will be an opportunity to create a garden honoring the geographic landscape and cultural history that is uniquely found in Maine and New England.

There is no charge for the talk and refreshments served after the program.

Location: Fellowship Hall, Congregational Church, 28 High St., Wiscasset, Maine

Image: Dr. Irene Brady Barber (Emily Adler photo)

Learn to make a bound book that has a lot of scope to include all your favorite colors and decorative papers. This book is a great beginner binding, with a paper cover and no glue needed. Join us to make your new journal, poetry or guest book. Tools & materials provided.

Instructor, Joelle Webber, has spent 40 years collecting book arts techniques in college and workshop settings. At Mermaid Bindery, she binds books and boxes for others as well as writing, paper decorating, collage, calligraphy, pop-up and paper sculpting to illustrate her own artist books and craft work. Building on these creative techniques, she designs workshops for many different communities of makers.

Class link: https://boothbayae.coursestorm.com/course/button-hole-stitched-book

Location: Boothbay Region High School, 236 Townsend Ave, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538

image: a button hole stitched book

Join poet and artist Renuka O’Connell for an afternoon of poetry and art at River Arts Gallery in Damariscotta, Maine. O’Connell will read from her new book, “Cosmic Collect Call: Appreciate the Mystery: Poems About Life.” O’Connell will also share select pieces of her art from the book that inspired her poetry.

The author will have signed copies of her book available for sale at the reading.

Learn more about Renuka here.

River Arts is located at 36 Elm St., Damariscotta, ME. FMI: info@riverartsme.org or 207-563-6868.

Image: Renuka O’Connell

Featuring local and regional providers of produce, freshly roasted coffee, baked goods, plants, meats, honey, maple syrup, soaps, and other products.

Location: Wiscasset Town Office Parking Lot (behind the building), 51 Bath Rd., (Rte. 1), Wiscasset, ME 04578

The Sounding Board is a monthly forum for Midcoast writers of all abilities to share brief pieces, receive supportive feedback, and hear new work from a published author. Writers wishing to read on October 10, should submit a piece of up to 750 words for approval to merrybarnwritersretreat@gmail.com, by Monday, October 7.

Bill Anthony returns as featured author for October’s Sounding Board, which is marking its first anniversary. Anthony, the catalyst for The Sounding Board, was the first author to share new unpublished work in October 2023, Farnsy, a tribute to Damariscotta and Midcoast Maine. A year later, Anthony returns to read recent work and discuss his writing process with Sounding Board moderator, Kelsy Hartley, Merry Barn’s community outreach and program coordinator.

Location: Merry Barn, 417 River Rd., Edgecomb. This event is free and open to the public with donations appreciated.

Image: Bill Anthony

Join paper artist, Joelle Webber, in the fun of making and decorating a tunnel book. A magical structure that allows us to look through a panorama of layered paper landscapes.  Bring your ideas and favorite collage papers. Tools & materials provided.

Joelle has spent more than 40 years collecting book arts techniques. Learning from mentors and book arts books as a young person, then, as an adult, in workshop and university settings. At Mermaid Bindery on Westport Island, she provides custom book binding and box making services for others, including rebinding well loved books. Joelle enjoys writing, paper decorating, collage, calligraphy, pop-up & paper sculpting, which she uses to illustrate her own artist books. Building on these creative experiences, she is pleased to design workshops for many different communities of makers.

Register with Boothbay Region Adult & Community Ed.

Kevin Johnson, photo archivist for the Penobscot Marine Museum (PMM) in Searsport, Maine, will present "Kosti Ruohomaa: A LIFE Behind the Lens.” The slide show and talk focuses on the Rockland, Maine, photographer whose career skyrocketed during the era of photo magazines such as LIFE and LOOK; National Geographic and Downeast also used his photos regularly. 

While he photographed around the world, Maine was Kosti’s favorite subject. He was a storyteller with a camera and captured the spirit and culture of Maine with his photos. The popular book, Night Train at Wiscasset Station: An Unforgettable Portrait of Maine and Its People’ , features Kosti’s photos, text by Lew Dietz, and forward by Andrew Wyeth.

Location: Maine Art Gallery, 15 Warren St., Wiscasset, ME 04578 

Image: Fryeburg Fair Fireworks by Kosti Ruohomaa

Featuring locally grown veggies, seafood, grass fed beef, pork, rabbit, cheese, flowers, soap, coffee, fruit, baked goods, frozen prepared Columbian food, maple syrup, and hard cider!

Find a list of vendors here.

Location: Wiscasset Town Office Parking Lot (behind the building), 51 Bath Rd., (Rte. 1), Wiscasset, ME 04578

Featuring locally grown veggies, seafood, grass fed beef, pork, rabbit, cheese, flowers, soap, coffee, fruit, baked goods, frozen prepared Columbian food, maple syrup, and hard cider!

Find a list of vendors here.

Location: Wiscasset Town Office Parking Lot (behind the building), 51 Bath Rd., (Rte. 1), Wiscasset, ME 04578

Wiscasset Art Walk is a summertime celebration of art, music, performance, and history in Wiscasset’s charming riverfront Village. Galleries are artist-owned, and boutique shops are open for perusing. Enjoy special music and performance features and guest artists each month. 

As the sun sets early during the final WAW of the season in September, join family and friends under the big tent for a dance party!

WAW is located in Wiscasset Village, Maine, along Rte. 1 (Main St.), with plenty of free parking. 

Image: T-Acadie plays while visitors dance. Bob Bond photo.

A day-long celebration of the Wiscasset riverfront and a look back at the town’s long history of a working waterfront. On the water, take a schooner ride, visit White’s Island by boat, help a lobsterman harvest his catch, and delight in the romance of a lighted boat parade. On the land, take a walking tour of historic homes, listen to chanties, play games with your kids, enjoy local food trucks, and dance the evening away.  

Find the festivities on the Recreational Pier, Water St., in Wiscasset Village. 

 FMI: Dan Watts, 860-338-3576

www.wiscassetschoonerfest.com

Featuring locally grown veggies, seafood, grass fed beef, pork, rabbit, cheese, flowers, soap, coffee, fruit, baked goods, frozen prepared Columbian food, maple syrup, and hard cider!

Find a list of vendors here.

Location: Wiscasset Town Office Parking Lot (behind the building), 51 Bath Rd., (Rte. 1), Wiscasset, ME 04578