Artists who showcased their talents Saturday at the Gorham Art Fair reached a broad audience, helped bring the community together and boosted some charities, as well.

“This is what this event is all about,” said Jeremy Greene, owner of the Art Guru and co-sponsor of the art fair. “We wanted area artists to display their talents and bring the community together. It’s nice to see that some of them have taken it a step further.”

The fair, in its second year, took place in Shaw Gymnasium inside the Gorham Municipal Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The space was bigger and several hundred people perused art from 35 vendors that ranged from paintings of superhero comic book characters to pristine landscapes, as well as various crafts such as jewelery.

Students Michelle Pham, Katie Selens and Naomi Seavey, all 13 and from the Gorham Middle School, displayed photographs they had snapped during a school art project. They sold photos for $5. By 3 p.m., the sold 15 photos, with proceeds earmarked for Habitat for Humanity.

“It’s a nice charity that helps people by putting roofs over their heads,” Selens said. “It helps them get their lives together.”

The girls’ efforts drew the interest of Isabella Gamardo, a 21-year-old Univesity of Southern Maine student from Connecticut, who bought a photograph.

“Normally I don’t buy colored photos, as I lean toward black and white,” she said. “But these photos are non-conventional with a lot of different angles. I was also more inclined to get it because they are doing something good with the money.”

Jeff Carpenter, 43, who is head of the crafts club at Gorham Middle School, was selling earrings, bookmarks and other small crafts made from recylable material. His club will split its earnings between the Salvation Army’s oil assistance program and the Gorham Food Pantry.

“We wanted to give to these two organizations,” Carpenter said. “This also teaches the kids about community service and giving back to the community.”

“It’s a venue for all the artists here in town that really don’t have a venue to show their work,” said Carson Lynch, owner of the Gorham Grind and co-sponsor of the event. “I became aware of how much talent there is here in town because of the waiting list for art work to show here on my walls.”

Proceeds from a bake sale on site and from art sold through a silent auction went to the Gorham Food Pantry.

Jenny Lois HinckleyJoanne Hartfordmoth designs