Visitors to Maple and Main sometimes puzzle in front of an abstract painting guessing what the artist was after or seeing their own vision: “It looks like a storm in the mountains,” “I see birds,” or most gratifyingly, of course, “I love this.”

Abstract art is open to interpretation; it covers a wide range of art that, in general, it is not a depiction of visual reality. But, it can be argued that all art is an abstraction of a kind – if you saw the underpinnings of most art, it would seem abstract to you – mainly, lines, tones, shapes.

We’re featuring the new abstract work of our artists, including some by artists who generally do quite representational work, in this special show in the Stone Gallery. An opening party for “What is it?” a show of abstract art by Maple and Main artists will be Friday, Jan. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. during the First Friday celebration in town. The show runs Thursday, Jan. 4 and only runs through Sunday, Jan. 21.