March home An intimate art sale for St. Patty’s BY MAGGIE KNOWLES

March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, and other than offering the quick jolt of St. Patty’s Day, the middle waits in limbo for something to happen: a tulip to break the frost barrier, an open-toed sandal to miscalculate the curb, the city to admit it cannot set a proper snow-removal budget. In response to this lame-duck period, a cluster of artists decided to boost the month along with their spunky mARTch Madness art show, which will be in full swing Thursday, March 17 (10 percent off for those in green), Friday, and Sunday. If you can’t make any of those times, call ahead and someone will meet you on Saturday.

Held in artist Elizabeth Fraser’s circa-1860 Munjoy Hill home (that is madness enough!), dubbed Howard Street Studios, any Tom, Dick, or Harry may peruse the very funky space where eight contributing artists display their wares. The first thing I ask is how she feels about strangers poking about her stuff. Her easy smile opens while she says how much fun it is to see who will show up. The consummate hostess, Fraser offers wine and snacks to her feral guests.

On first impression, Howard Street Studios lacks the stiff intimidation people can attach to standard galleries. Here, in a truly homey setting, the atmosphere is casual, warm, and easy. You wander through the twisting hallways and nooks while any one of Fraser’s five pets keeps you company.

The living room is the largest exhibition area, and with the amazing sunlight pouring in it is best to come before dark. The walls are painted perfect pumpkin; no color could be more non-gallery. The first object that grabs me is a bowl made from a melted record. Geoff Meluish’s secret technique transforms old vinyl, such as the Scorpions’ Love at First Sting, into a functional conversation piece. But don’t start dreaming of an Air Supply bowl; though he takes requests for genre, he cannot guarantee specific bands. Also serving as groovy conversation pieces are the found-object-collage pieces of "America’s Most Gifted Wrapper," Holly Karolkowski (this is an actual title and she was on the Ellen show to talk about it). Because of their petite sizes, you can cluster a bunch of them together in a bouquet of art. "Wild Flower" reminds me of those Victorian Easter eggs that have a bunny picnic going on where the yolk should be. You peer into a tiny wall-papered room where a vase of fabric and gem flowers blooms.

How all the artists came together is what Fraser calls the "Two Degrees of Casco Bay Frames"; at one point they all worked there. CBF owner Tony Cox joins the madness with his veggie and fruit photos. The solo item, be it pepper or apple, floats in black space, its every speckle, bruise, and imperfection enlarged. I spend hours in the produce section sifting for the ideal, taut specimen and because of Cox, I will never eat fruit again.

Fraser’s brother Michael works in watercolor, while she chooses oil. Though different in the scope of their works, the siblings share a love for color and movement. Elizabeth recently completed her "Gates" series — hopefully you are familiar with those giant orange things that were stuck all over Central Park. She focuses on the bright color against the drab winter sky, the fabric’s drift in passing exhaust from the M-11 bus and the orange reflection in the pond. Her style is just like her home, welcoming, warm, and embracing.

The work that I am most attracted to is that of Nastia Lang. Her photographs are dark, sensual, and breathtaking. Many on display are of New Orleans, where she centers on the mysterious. "Jesus Watches Over the Quarter" is a haunting scene. Spotlights encircle a white marble Jesus statue; his shadow casts 100-fold on the stone wall behind. His raised arms come at you in either hope or disgust, depending on your current guilt level. Sal Clark is the other photographer in the show, and she impresses with her use of light. In an untitled work from Copenhagen, she follows the late-day sun on its journey across a brick building. The shadow from one of the large windows melts down the wall in sleepy repose.

Rounding out the group is Lori Rae Palumbo, who is best known for her close-up works of bugged-eyed cats. In similar fashion to those, she explores the exotic with one of Buddha and one of a Tiki-head. She forgoes setting, focusing only on the character of the subject. Her palette is youthful and free, yet consciously aware of mood.

Finding yet another reason to hang out on the Hill is always a good thing (for those of you who think there is nothing of note past Angela Adams, think again!) and Howard Street Studios is reason enough. Not only are you surrounded by the work of local artists, but in true Bohemian style, you will have 30 new friends and a place to (temporarily) call home.

Maggie Knowles can be reached at margaretknowles@yahoo.com

Howard Street Studios: Go up Munjoy Hill, left on Howard Street, house # 44. Email Champart.com or call (207) 650-3437.