WISCASSET — Sylvan Gallery, 60 Main St., will feature the landscape and figurative paintings of Joann Ballinger and Shirley Cean Youngs. The exhibit will open tonight and continue through Sept. 23.

A news release describes the exhibit as follows:

These renowned artists have shared a friendship for 40 years and a similar passion for creating works of art that focus on nature, often with scenes of women or children at the water’s edge.

While both woman have been acclaimed for their poetic vision, each achieving numerous honors and distinctions including signature membership in the American Society of Marine Artists and the Pastel Society of America, their supportive long-lasting friendship is equally impressive.

They met in 1974, early in their artistic careers at the New London Art Students League in Connecticut and quickly recognized that they were on a similar path, working to find the time to paint while raising young families. They began meeting once and then twice a week to paint together and critique each other’s work.

Ballinger and Youngs still paint together once a week, inspiring and encouraging one another, sharing many of same interests in subject matter but each retaining her own distinctive style.

The gallery hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, call Ann or Rick Scanlan at 882- 8290 or visit www.sylvangallery.com.