Dozens traveled around Wareham on Friday evening to view art by local artists, mingle with friends, and meet new people during the first ever Progressive Arts in Wareham Show.

The gala, dubbed "PAWS" by organizers, was an effort to give people an opportunity to see the local talent and the community and perhaps visit a new restaurant.

Artwork was on display at Wareham Community Television (WCTV), Gallery Consignment, Eastern Bank on Main Street, and Buzzards Play Productions.

Following the free showing, attendees could receive a 20% discount on dinner at Piper Beau's, the Narrows Restaurant, Charlie's Place, or Ella's Wood Burning Oven Restaurant.

"Looking around, it looks very successful," WCTV Executive Director Jay Heard said as a visitors admired paintings by Susan Gilmore and photography by Bruce Gannon at the television station.

Kat Jones and Jeff "Dude" Copeland performed music inside the station's studio.

"I'm hoping that [the event] is well received by the town," Heard said. "We're trying to get people to feel a little better about Wareham."

Heard said he and organizers Sally Morrison and Rose Berry hoped the event would help attendees see the wide range of talent in Wareham.

In addition to Gilmore's and Gannon's work, the creations of five other local artists were on display, including: Denn Santoro, Steven Becker, Charles Wood, Pam Rainey, and Eileen Grady.

"We have a lot of talent here," Heard said.

Attendees of the show agreed.

"We thought it was great!" said Art Wessel, who attended on a whim with his partner Joan Sweeney after reading about the event.

Wessel said he and Sweeney, Wrentham residents who have a home in Parkwood, had never visited Gallery Consignment prior to stopping by as part of the PAWS event. Sweeney browsed the artwork and the shop's offerings... and left with a new jacket.

That's the response the organizers were hoping for.

"We're trying to be a positive part of the town ... [and] add some interest to the town," Heard said, as well as to get people to "visit new [places], meet new people."

Did you miss the art show? You can view the artwork for the next month at each of the locations. For more information, contact Sally Morrison at sammorrison@comcast.net or Rose Berry at r.berry@easternbank.com.