Students from Carrabassett Valley, Stratton village and Eustis filled the Carrabassett Valley Public Library with art for a two-week youth art show. From finger paintings to mixed media, children between the ages of 2 and 13 submitted their work for public display.

Stratton School, the Western Maine Center for Kids and a group of homeschool students were all represented in the three-space gallery at the library at 3209 Carrabassett Drive. Anne Poirier-Flight, the art teacher at Stratton School, said projects like these help to show students the importance of recognizing art and artistic skills.

“I believe that art has a huge value in our community for many different reasons, not only for aesthetic purposes, but for visual communication, collaboration and bringing people together,” she said. “Having this art show in our community recognizes our youth artists, shows value, brings value to them, shows them the value of art.”

Poirier-Flight said children seeing their art recognized gives a major confidence boost.

“When they see their work on the wall and their name up there and other people looking at it, there’s a huge sense of pride and joy there,” she said.

Along with traditional art set on the wall, a group of students performed a puppet show with marionettes and a stage they made.

“It’s so exciting for the kids to get to show up there,” said Sasha Lennon, whose 2-year-old daughter had a finger painting on display. “I think they feel really proud, and they get to do, you know, a show is really exciting and fun for them. Living in a rural community, it’s so great to have an event where everyone can gather and bring everyone to one place.”

A second gallery featuring high school students’ work is on display at Carrabassett Valley Academy at 3197 Carrabassett Drive. The library and the high school collaborated to have a shared night to recognize all the students’ work.

The gallery will remain on display at the library until the end of May.