The Blue Hill Public Library, the Jonathan Fisher House, and Blue Hill Books will co-sponsor a presentation by Walter Smalling about the recent book At First Light: Two Centuries of Maine Artists, Their Homes and Studios, in the Howard Room at the Blue Hill Public Library on Friday, July 29 at 7:00 pm.

At First Light chronicles twenty-six extraordinary artists of the last two hundred years who have lived and worked in Maine, beginning with Blue Hill’s own Jonathan Fisher. It considers the significant contributions artists have made to a deeper and more profound understanding of Maine's history, its land and its peoples. Written and expertly researched by some of the foremost scholars and curators in the field, each chapter focuses on a different artist, featuring the artists' artworks and anchored by breathtaking contemporary photography of their homes, studios, and surroundings.

Walter Smalling took the photographs for At First Light, and will share his experiences working on the book, how the project began and was organized, and how it was made. Walter will also provide a survey of some of the artists included in the book, with a presentation of photos, including of the Jonathan Fisher House.

Walter lives and works in Penobscot, where he has a studio and a small gallery. His business as a photographer is based partly in Washington, D.C. where he also has a studio.

Books will be available for sale from Blue Hill Books. This event is free of charge and all are welcome. Attendees interested in seeing the Jonathan Fisher House and learning more about Fisher as an artist are invited to come visit the house at 44 Mines Rd. the following day, Saturday July 30, for tours from 1:00-4:00 pm.

This program is free, open to the public, and will be held in the Howard Room. For more information, contact Kayleigh at Blue Hill Library at Kayleigh.thomas@bhpl.net or by calling the library at (207) 374-5515.