Every holiday season, the Lyme Art Association decks its walls with paintings in all mediums, sizes and subject matter by member artists - priced to make giving the gift of art affordable.

Close to 150 works - including oils, acrylics, watercolors, charcoal, lithographs, etchings and several sculptures - are in the show, which was juried by Todd Jokl, associate professor and campus dean at Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts.

If the idea of buying art for someone beside yourself makes you nervous, not to worry says Katherine Simmons, president of the LAA board of directors and an artist member and art teacher.

"Generally when people are buying art for someone else, they kind of know their taste and pick within that range," she says. "Or they know the person is interested in collecting works by a particular artist.

"Although it's not a themed exhibition, there is a good representation of marine art with LAA being very close to the shore and because it's very popular," Simmons adds.

"The show focuses on nice, small affordable pieces that you can give, and also some more substantial pieces that may be a gift for yourself," she says. "A nice thing about these small pieces - as an artist I know this - is people think, 'I don't have much wall space.' But if it's a small piece, it doesn't have to go on a wall. It can look nice on a bookcase, a side table, a piano…"

Although all the art shown at LAA is in the representational genre, Simmons notes that the work ranges from very traditionally realistic to looser, impressionistic, more interpretive styles.

"Some pieces are pushing the envelope a little bit while still staying within the (representational) range," she says. "There are a lot of different styles - there's a lot here for everyone."

BRINGING THE GREAT OUTDOORS INSIDE

In addition to "Deck the Walls," "Celebrating Lyme's Beauty," in the Goodman Gallery, features the results of a two-day "paint-out" hosted by the Lyme Land Conservation Trust this past autumn in Lyme's Bannington Preserve. Jokl also juried this exhibit.

"It's one of many properties managed by Lyme Land Trust. This is the fourth year we've worked in partnership with them. They pick a location and our artists go out and paint on site," Simmons explains.

"The artists go (at a time) set aside for everyone to paint in a specific place and work from what they're seeing in front of them with all of the wind blowing through their hair and the bugs flying around.

"There are some wonderful interpretations of the brook running through the property," she adds.

Simmons points out that the "paint-out" is usually in the spring, but it was decided to hold it in the fall this year "when there might be some really exuberant color - capturing that quintessential New England change of season."

Also on view in the Goodman Gallery are paintings by two award-winning newly elected artist members: Sunil Howlader, whose paintings combine the beauty of naturalistic representation with the expressive elements of abstraction; and Faripour Forouhar, a representational oil painter, whose style is sensitive to the subtle light, atmospheric and spatial effects of the landscape.

IF YOU GO

What: “Deck the Walls”sale and “Celebrating Lyme's Beauty” exhibit

Where: Lyme Art Association, 90 Lyme St., Old Lyme

When: An opening reception with art, music, and refreshments will be held tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibitions will be on view through Jan. 3, 2015.

Cost: Admission is free with contributions appreciated.

Info: Call (860) 434-7802 or visit www.

lymeartassociation.org