KENNEBUNKPORT — It all starts with a drawing of a horse.

Propped up on an easel by a fireplace at the Louis T. Graves Memorial Library in Kennebunkport, the illustration ”“ created by Kennebunk High School senior Melissa Ferriss ”“ depicts an almost mischievous-looking equine, thrusting his snout at the viewer in a dead-center composition, drawing attention to two large, flaring nostrils. It’s a comical first link in a chain of works that line the mantle of the fireplace; they form but a small fraction of the art on display in nearly all of the library’s rooms, crevices and crannies.

It’s the first-ever Kennebunk High School Art Show at Graves, with mediums ranging from sketch to collage, paints to garbage bags.

Wait, what?

“It’s an impressive piece,” said Children’s Librarian Terri Bauld, running her fingers along the bottom of a full-sized wedding dress, cut and assembled from white garbage bags and displayed in one of Graves’ stairwell windows. The dress, created by KHS senior Morgan Campbell, is the only three-dimensional piece of art on display. But like the other featured pieces, it’s drawn praise from patrons, impressed that high school students are capable of such sophisticated art.

“We’ve had people want to buy the art,” said KHS art teacher Katie Mooney. “I’m like, ”˜Hmmm, I’d have to talk to the students about that.’”

Mooney was approached by Bauld, who thought an art show would help to increase Graves’ exposure ”“ particularly since KHS is in such close proximity to the Kennebunk Free Library.

“There were some teens who didn’t know this library existed,” said Bauld. “We’re really trying to get the word out, and let them know that there are two great places they can go.”

Eager at the chance to show what her students were capable of, Mooney teamed up with fellow art teachers Marnie Rollerson and Debbie Robinson to solicit work from students ”“ a challenge, said Mooney, since it was the beginning of the school year, and students had yet to settle in and hone their skills on some of the more advanced techniques covered in class.

The results, she said, are impressive.

While the show has already netted compliments since its “soft” opening ”“ with pieces quietly appearing on mantles, propped on tables, and suspended on doors and in windows ”“ the library held an opening reception on Tuesday to officially herald what Bauld said was the first art show ever held at the library.

Robinson was thrilled that her students’ work was being allowed so much exposure.

“They were very kind to give us this chance to show the kids’ work,” she said. “It really displays well. It makes you look around at everything, and you look at even the architecture as well as the art. The people here have been so kind.”

Library assistant Denise Dion-Sullivan said that it’s difficult, oftentimes, for a teenager to show his or her work to others; there’s a shyness there that can only be shed through time and experience.

A show like this can help with that.

“To give them an opportunity to exhibit is a good thing,” she said. “It gives them more confidence and perspective. It can be hard to put yourself out there.”

The Kennebunk High School Art Show will be on display at Graves until Nov. 15.

— Staff Writer Jeff Lagasse can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 319 or [email protected].