Though the wind was more conducive to flying kites than selling art, participants in the 41st annual Labor Day Art Show made do by taking down their tents or simply holding on to them while talking with shoppers at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth.

Marnie Souza had to take the roof off the tent where she was showing her paintings Sunday because the wind was actually lifting the structure.

Souza, 84, of Cape Elizabeth, has been showing her work at the art show, a benefit for Cape Elizabeth Fire Department Engine 1, since it started 40 years ago. She said this year sales and foot traffic were slower than usual.

Souza has been painting since she was in high school. This year she displayed her work at four art shows, and brought her dog, Grace, to all of them. She also exhibits her paintings, many of which feature local scenery, in restaurants, offices and other spaces.

“I paint every day at home anyway,” Souza said. “I might as well exhibit.”

Pauline Zaleska of Cape Elizabeth was one of the visitors wandering among a string of small white tents housing paintings, photography and other artwork. Zaleska said she comes to the show every year to see the artwork, encourage the arts and support the fire department.

Zaleska bought a piece of flattened birch bark adorned with a painting of a cardinal, from Christine St. Pierre.

St. Pierre, of Standish, displayed her work for the second year at Fort Williams. Despite the wind, by early afternoon, St. Pierre said, she had seen a great response to her work.

4187: Painter Marnie Souza, 84, of Cape Elizabeth, always brings Grace, her dog, when she exhibits her art. “I think she brings in a lot of business,” Souza said of her dog. Souza has been exhibiting at the Labor Day Art Show at Fort Williams Park since it started.