Sawyer Free Library Launches Monthly Artist Program with Volume One Exhibition

The Sawyer Free Library proudly presents Volume One, the inaugural exhibition in its new Monthly Artist Program—marking a vibrant beginning for the Library’s reimagined Matz Gallery and its renewed commitment to the arts. Featuring Gloucester artists Erin Luman and Laureen Maher Bowie, Volume One will be on view November 2 through December 29, 2025, with an Artist Reception on Thursday, November 6, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Matz Gallery at the Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester.

Volume One celebrates both the creative spirit of the community and the innovative transformation of the Sawyer Free Library itself, which has just reopened following a two-year, $28 million renovation and expansion.

After nearly two years of construction and anticipation, Gloucester’s public library reopened with a three-day celebration, as more than 1,000 community members came together to mark this once-in-a-generation transformation—from a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and local officials to a fun filled community open house that welcomed hundreds more into the Library’s new, light-filled spaces.

About the Artists
Gloucester-based contemporary artist Erin Luman weaves memory and daily life into evocative scenes that invite viewers to pause and reflect. What began as a fascination with the weathered cottages of Long Beach has evolved into a body of work capturing small, intimate moments—a century-old bathroom sink, beach towels drying in the sun, or glimpses of lived spaces both personal and universal. While her upcoming winter exhibition at Endicott College will spotlight the studios of local makers, Volume One offers a deeply personal collection drawn from the in-between moments that inspire her.
 
Laureen Maher Bowie, an award-winning local painter and celebrated colorist, captures the beauty and grit of Gloucester in richly layered oils. Her iconic painting, We Dive at Five, depicting local youth jumping off from the Good Harbor Beach footbridge at high tide, will be displayed publicly for the first time at this exhibition. Maher Bowie’s work has been featured in Exhibit Art New England and will appear in the upcoming Rockport Art Association & Museum National Juried Show.
 
Both artists began their creative journeys years ago by exhibiting in the Library’s Monthly Artist Program. Returning now to inaugurate the revitalized Matz Gallery, they reexamine their art through a fresh lens—bridging past and present in this inspiring debut show.
 
As part of the Library’s renewed commitment to supporting local arts and culture, the Monthly Artist Program will feature rotating exhibitions that highlight both emerging and established regional artists. The newly formed Matz Committee will help guide future exhibitions, ensuring that the space remains a vibrant showcase for creativity and connection. Local and regional artists interested in exhibiting may submit expressions of interest to matzgallery@sawyerfreelibrary.org.
 
Volume One serves as an exciting kickoff to this initiative—and to the holiday season—with 25% of all sales benefiting the Sawyer Free Library. The exhibition has already drawn enthusiastic community response and stands as a fitting tribute to the Library’s long-standing role as a cultural cornerstone of Gloucester.
 
Visitors are invited to experience Volume One and explore the beautifully expanded Sawyer Free Library at 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester—a welcoming, inspiring space designed to serve generations to come.
For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.