BRUNSWICK

Tucked away off the very northern end of Maine Street in Brunswick, right before the Frank J. Wood Bridge, just outside Fort Andross, is an aquatic curiosity. A fishway provides a path past the Brookfield Renewables hydroelectric dam and an adjacent observation room provides a window — literally — into the world of a few species of fish that use the fishway.

Few people visit the observation room, but the folks at Spindleworks — a Brunswick nonprofit supporting adult artists with intellectual disabilities — want to change that.

Spindleworks artists have painted a mural near the observation room’s window depicting small mouth bass, eels, alewives, lampreys and other fish that transverse the fishway. It’s hoped the mural will add a dash of color, and attract more visitors.

Lynn Lockwood of Topsham, who described herself as a “huge fan of Spindleworks,” is credited with coming up with the concept.

“My husband is a fish ladder aficionado,” Lockwood said. “He convinced me to come down here.”

Lockwood described the ladder as “interesting” but lacking a “visual interest — other than the fish.” She said the interpretations of nature by Spindleworks artists as “amazing.”

“I’m just a fan, particularly of their wonderful free spirit,” Lockwood said. “I enjoy their art because they are free from the constraints we often feel. They have an incredibly liberated vision of nature. It’s joyful. It just makes you happy.”

Kim Christensen, a Spindleworks artist since 2006, said she enjoys painting as a way to create. Helping to paint the mural, however, posed a challenge.

“I have never painted a fish before. And (painting) the wall is harder than paper,” she said. “But I did a great job, here. I can see my part in (the mural).”

Artist Amy Madsen agreed that it was a challenge to transfer their creations, drafted on paper, to a permanent mural.

“I feel really happy when I paint. It makes me really happy, I relax.”

Spindleworks’ Deidre Barton helped coordinate the project. She said the project combined both realism and creativity to provide a representation of the actual species that transverse the fishway.

“We make it look like the whole (fish) migration is happening,” said.

Barton said many in the community aren’t aware of the fish ladder and that it’s observation room is accessible for free. The fishway was constructed to allow fish to migrate upstream past the dam on the Androscoggin River, near the Topsham border.

The fishway is part of the Maine Department of Marine Resources’ Androscoggin River fish restoration program.

The fishway, a series of 42 individual pools totaling 570 feet in length, lets scientists collect data on different species.

Fish are guided through the pools to sorting tanks where staff can collect data on the fish and pass them upstream. Invasive species can also be removed.

On their way, the fish pass a viewing window in the fishway’s observation room. It’s there that the public can get a chance to view the varied species that use the fishway.

Barton credited Brookfield Renewable’s Samantha Edwards for helping to make the mural project a reality. Materials for the project were paid for or donated by Brookfield and by Sherwin Williams’ Brunswick location.

“For us, it’s a chance to show the work that the artists do, that is high caliber, that is creative and fun, and linked into the greater community,” Barton said.

‘Waterways’ exhibit

The mural augments an exhibit at the nearby Frontier cafe, featuring more than 100 works by artists who answered an open call for submissions in May. The exhibit, titled “Waterways,” is meant to raise awareness of the diversity of species that are impacted by human activity or, in some cases, inaction.

Artists were asked to submit work concerning the health of oceans, streams, rivers, lakes, bogs and the life that depend on these habitats.

An open mic night at Frontier will take place July 25 as part of the Waterways show. “Waterways” will be Spindleworks’ 8th annual All Species exhibit, which has drawn artists from across Maine and across the country.

Thirty percent from each sale of “Waterways” will benefit the Cathance River Education Alliance. A Topsham-based nonprofit, the alliance’s mission is, in part, to promote ecological awareness and “prepare future stewards of the Cathance River.”

“Waterways” runs through Aug. 6.

jswinconeck@timesrecord.com