One would think that the last thing a school art teacher would do at the end of a long day of crayons, sticky collages and countless abstract creations would be to pick up a brush or a slab of clay and channel what energy and creativity remained into a work of art.

But that’s just what a group of artists has done whose work is showing at the University of Maine at Augusta.

In an exhibit as diverse as the level of talent of their students, dozens of Maine elementary, secondary and post-secondary art teachers have works featured at this month’s biennial exhibit at the Jewett Hall Gallery at UMA. The show, sponsored by the Maine Art Education Association, UMA and Forum-A, will run until Feb. 29.

The pieces of art run the gamut of emotion and medium, from serious to whimsical — from cloth to stone. Tendrils of tinsel add a dramatic effect to the woven textile entry of Waynflete’s Martha Roediger. Waterville’s Ann Roy makes a pun on the traditional footed platter, with her creation consisting of a clay plate affixed to two feet of clay, complete with toes and a beaded ankle bracelet. Other mediums featured include a delicate basket by Julie Klehn of Standish, made of thin strands of birch bark, and a tiny bonsai tree of metal by Sheila Clogh of Massabesic High School.

Framed entries range from abstract nudes to collages to still lifes. Indian Island School teacher Michael Vermette themes the sea in several of his pieces. Candace McKellar of Katahdin High School uses oils in her delicate still lifes of quaint country home interiors or of majestic Mount Katahdin. Frank Chin of the Margaret Chase Smith School in Skowhegan uses a monotype technique to create his abstract, “Water Journey,” with its beautiful purples and greens.

It is truly an exhibit of “art for art’s sake.”

“Without this outlet, we would be regular teachers,” according to this year’s overall winner, Frank Chin. “The biggest thing is this allows us to share our talent with the public and our peers. No other gallery can hold a candle to this event.

“A lot of us are artists first and teachers second,” he said recently. “This keeps us alive and gives us inspiration to share with our students.”

Any occasion to network with fellow art teachers is very important to keeping their creativity alive, Chin said. One association event that is looked forward to by many is the annual workshop held each September at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts on Deer Isle, where art teachers learn new techniques from each other and are given time to work on creations. For years, Chin was on the other side of the easel, learning and appreciating the talents taught by others. This year, he said, because of the interest showed at the Augusta showing of his monotypes, he will be sharing the technique with other art teachers.

The show also allows the public and aspiring art teachers to view the wealth of talent in Maine schools, according to Robert Katz, a UMA art professor.

“By holding it in the state capital, it gives our lawmakers a chance to see the quality of art teachers working in Maine schools,” he said. “For art students, it is a good opportunity for them to see that if you teach, you don’t necessarily have to give up your role as an artist.

“It’s also nice for the art teachers, because it gives them an opportunity for them to exhibit their work,” continued Katz. “Hopefully this type of exhibit encourages them in their art making.”

Chin’s “Water Journey” entry was chosen by UMA faculty as this year’s overall winner. Honorable mentions went to Chris Chapman of Mount Ararat School for “Spent Rods”; Deloris White of Berwick Academy, “Sunflower Composit”; Charles Johnson of Deer Isle-Stonington High School, “Frozen Stiff”; Charlotte Fullam of the University of Southern Maine, “Resting Place”; and Elizabeth Arno of William Cone School, “Umbrella People”.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays, and by appointment by calling 621-3207.