Portland painter Tim Clorius shows work from his Conversation Pieces series through June 11 at Aucocisco Galleries, 89 Exchange St., Portland. In this work, Clorius’ inspirations are the rich 18th- and 19th-century historic paintings of Great Britain, surrealistic works of a more modern time and contemporary abstraction. The artist’s personal experiences, politics, social commentary and […]

Across America, we are seeing more psychological surrealism in art. Artists are showing more representational paintings based on first-person narratives and personal meanings. In general, we are comfortable with the difference between metaphor (this means that) and narrative (a story), but in a post post-modern era where dreams, fantasies and personal narratives are almost universally […]

Catherynne Valente wins a coveted science fiction-fantasy award for her young adult novel ‘The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland.’

We are well into “Where to Draw the Line: The Maine Drawing Project,” a year-long series of exhibitions dedicated to drawing. A statewide project, it touches many places and times. I report on two that bear on my thoughts about current drawing in Maine. The Farnsworth — which has been holding project-related events since January […]

• Freeport Historical Society introduces its new Heritage Trail with a ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Old First Parish Meetinghouse and Burial Ground at Lower Main Street and Meetinghouse Road. The 17-sign, self-guided trail directs visitors to significant spots in Freeport history. State historian Earl Shettleworth will speak at Tuesday’s event. The trail reinforces […]