BANGOR – The Maine Highlands Guild, a new arts marketing organization serving Piscataquis and Penobscot counties, is designed to provide educational, promotional and sales opportunities for local artists and artisans who create original artwork, crafts, furniture, specialty foods, or other traditional products, guild officials said.

The guild staff and board of directors say that by getting the word out about local talent, helping artisans earn a living and encouraging new arts entrepreneurs, they are helping local communities to grow in a positive way.

The guild offers two levels of membership. The individual level is open to all artists and “traditional” producers. It provides product and business development workshops, a newsletter and networking and mentoring opportunities. It also includes the opportunity to qualify for the guild’s branding and sales program as a juried professional member.

At the professional level of membership, guild members become part of The Maine Highlands Guild brand and receive brand tags and marketing opportunities from the guild. They also gain the opportunity to be selected for the Maine Highlands Guild sales line where members’ products are sold at wholesale and retail shows, and through the guild’s catalog and Web site.

There are nonactive membership categories for those interested in supporting the guild and its mission.

The guild grew out of grass-roots cultural heritage development projects that Eastern Maine Development Corp. and the Cultural Heritage and Eco-tourism committee of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council completed.

The Maine Highlands Guild received funding for development from the Pentagoet Foundation in January. The Maine Arts Commission and Maine Community Foundation also have contributed funds to support guild projects.

The structure and offerings of the Maine Highlands Guild was determined by a steering committee of local artists and artisans. The guild also received guidance from Manufacture by Design in Pennsylvania, Appalmade in Virginia and Handmade in America in North Carolina.

Recent attendance at a national conference in Ashville, N.C., guild officials said, increased the guild’s visibility and created new contacts in the global marketplace. The guild has hired a sales manager and has participated in the Southern Piscataquis County Chamber of Commerce Business Exposition and in The Maine Festival in Brunswick.

The guild is planning a series of workshops and networking events for members and will create a catalog and Web site with free listings for juried professional level guild members.

Those wishing to learn more about the guild are invited to attend one of the guild’s regional receptions:

. 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, Milo, Down Home Bed and Breakfast.

. 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, Bangor, Courtyard conference room above Cafe Nouveau.

. 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, Scotty’s Restaurant.

. 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, Lee, Dunloggin Bed and Breakfast.

. 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, Monson, “Old” Post Office.

. 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, Dover-Foxcroft, United Methodist Church.

For information, call Executive Director Tracy Michaud Stutzman, 564-0041.