HOULTON – Anyone who is in town over the Fourth of July holiday weekend will get an additional cultural treat this year.

Starting on Friday, July 5, and running through Sunday, July 7, more than a dozen artists will fan out to various locations in the Houlton area to paint and sketch people, places and things.

“We want to get the local community to appreciate local artists and art itself,” said Rosalind Morgan, coordinator of the Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project, which is sponsoring the Paint Houlton’s Heritage event.

At the same time, she said, the three-day event will give artists the chance to showcase their work and meet other artists.

Artists who participate will have a choice of locations where they can work, including the Watson Covered Bridge in Littleton, the Houlton State Fair, Market Square in downtown, the dam in Hodgdon and several private gardens.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to watch the artists at work at each location.

“Most painters are in their studios comfy and cozy; there’s nobody looking over their shoulder.” Morgan said. “This removes the mystery.”

An added bonus will be that people will have the opportunity to buy the artworks they have watched being done. An art gallery will be set up at 76 Main St. in downtown Houlton, where the artwork will be displayed for sale.

“Artists need an outlet to sell their work, and we don’t have a lot [of outlets] here in Houlton,” said Morgan.

“One of the exciting things is new work is going to come straight from the artist into the gallery,” she said. “This is a gallery that will change; it’s not static. There will be new works throughout the weekend.”

Artists will set their own prices for their works, 20 percent of which will go to the SACAP.

A reception will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, July 5, at the gallery, at which time people can meet the artists and see works they brought with them. The gallery will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 6, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 7, to display daily work.

Artists who would like to participate may call Morgan at 532-7286. Volunteers also are being sought to help with the event. Anyone who would like to help out may call Iva Sussman at 532-9025.