Amicus artists bold with color in library show

Take the frame off Dan Turner’s “The Vine,” and surely it will creep right off the canvas and up the wall of the Bangor Public Library. The brilliant blue vase in his other watercolor on display, “Daisies,” brims with a handful of golden blooms that could grow up to be fireworks.

Any artist feeling a little timid about the use of color will find inspiration in the November exhibit in the library’s lecture hall.

Sixteen artists from Penobscot Valley Industries — a program of Amicus, formerly known as the Multiple Handicapped Center — are sharing the works they created under the guidance of instructor Diane Willette.

The participants, who have a variety of disabilities, studied favorites such as Picasso, van Gogh, Monet, Matisse, Roy Lichtenstein and Jackson Pollock as part of their classes.

Van Gogh is a favorite of David Hopkinson, who painted the vivid landscape “The Lake.” But whose work inspired “Scaredy Cat,” with the wide-open eyes and straight-ahead stare?

And Hopkinson’s “Shocked” in paperblock print seems downright original. At a distance, the black stovepipe hat is Lincolnesque, but close up the face is anonymous, baffling.

Sabra Ravenscraft, who studied art at Hampden Academy, loves New England landscapes, as her “Winter Home” shows. The house stands red and substantial against dense woods and a splash of sky.

Bold colors also show up in Pauline Bucknam’s “Autumn,” with leaves of orange and coral fingerprinted throughout the tree.

Truly fortunate is any youngster whose mother encourages an interest in art, and Chris Emery was one of those. His abstract “Heavenly Spirits,” with a span of purple merging into blue, begs repeated viewings.

A universe in whole? A hint of face in creases? Is the focus the loud drops of pale yellow and orange spread across that background — or those out there in the white perimeter?

Other participants in the Amicus show are Alberta Blanchard, Gregg Smith, Steve Morris, Jeff Porter, Rena Dugay, Fran Terrell, Bill Floyd, Sara Roy, Sherry Lang, Kevin Grant and Staci Small, with several artists contributing to a team effort — a bright collage titled “Endangered Species.”

The eye goes to the panda first, then the giraffe and zebra, the elephant and tiger. After viewing the individual works, it’s fun to guess which artist worked on which animal — or maybe the parrot.

A good student collection makes you want to visit the class — and the Amicus show certainly does that. The exhibit is on display through November.