Coastal Reflections, a guest exhibition featuring the oil paintings of Maine-based maritime painter Lindsay Hopkins-Weld, will be at Local Color Gallery, opening August 19, 2025, and will run through September 21, 2025. At the same time, the gallery welcomes Lab Art by new year-round member Jim Williams, of Belfast.

Living near the ocean, Hopkins-Weld draws inspiration from the ever-changing moods of the sea and the relentless cycle of the tides. Her paintings are a testament to her deep connection with the coastal environment.

“My paintings evolve from observation, persistence, life experience, experimentation, and photography,” says Hopkins-Weld. “I strive to depict the essence, beauty, and vibrancy of place and the fleeting moment in time. My approach blends realism with abstraction, focusing on the play of light, color, and shape.”

Beginning August 19, Local Color “goes to the dogs” as the gallery debuts Belfast artist Jim Williams. Williams calls his paintings Lab Art, for their focus on images of Labrador Retrievers. His boldly-colored minimalist works capture the essence of one of Maine’s most popular dogs.

After 22 years working in various corporate environments, Williams began taking art courses. His new-found passion for painting and his love for his Labrador Retrievers led him to switch careers when he opened Mainely Labs Studio gallery in Portland in 2005. For many years Williams participated in Belfast’s Arts in the Park. He and his wife were impressed with the town and began thinking of relocating here. In the fall of 2024 that dream came true, and Williams is very excited to be joining the Belfast artistic community. He states that what he creates is not just for art’s sake or for his own sake…but for others. He feels great satisfaction when someone values his paintings enough to hang in their home.

An opening reception will be held during the Fourth Friday Art Walk, August 22, from 4-7 p.m., at Local Color Gallery. Both Lindsay Hopkins-Weld and Jim Williams will give short talks beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Local Color Gallery at (207) 218-1249 or visit www.localcolorgallerymaine.org.

Local Color Gallery is located at 135 High Street in Belfast. Current hours are 11 to 5, Tuesday through Saturday, and 11 to 4 on Sunday.