Local artists to benefit environmental work

BANGOR – Artists will share their treasures to promote the environmental work of Bangor Area Citizens Organized for Responsible Development at an art auction, 5:30-9 p.m. Friday, March 19, in the Courtyard Conference Room at 88 Hammond St. Bob Duchesne will be auctioneer. Bidding begins at 7 p.m.

Among the donors will be Patricia Vadas of Orono, who contributed two landscapes. A graduate of the University of Maine with a double major in studio art and art history, Vadas has taught art for the Bangor Adult Education program and served as president of the Bangor Art Society.

She has exhibited in various local venues and has four large paintings on display at the University of Maine’s Fogler Library. She has won prizes from art societies in Bangor and Waterville, including best in show. Vadas said she is contributing to the auction because of her love for nature.

Some of the other art works that will be auctioned are: a painting by Michael Lewis; a woodblock print by Margaret Manter; raku pottery by Jay Hanes; a nature scan by Barbara Guidotti; a sculpture made with recycled materials by Wally Warren; a numbered print by Tom Hennessey; and a scene of the Penjajewock Marsh by Lou Cappiello.

BACORD has worked for the past three years to protect the Penjajawoc Marsh, habitat for numerous bird species, from development pressures. Its most prominent effort was working with Maine Audubon to prevent construction of a Wal-Mart Supercenter next to the marsh.