Portland — PhoPa Gallery, a new collaboration of photographer Jon Edwards, independent curator Bruce Brown and the Maine Media Workshops + College, currently celebrating its 40th anniversary in Rockport, will open its inaugural exhibition on Valentine’s Day. PhoPa — devoted to exhibiting photographs and works on paper by Maine related artists — is located at 132 Washington Ave., formerly home to the Addison Woolley Gallery.

“Bad Ass,” photographs by Melonie Bennett, will open Thursday, Feb. 14, with a 5 to 8 p.m. reception and run through March 30. The gallery will host a visit with the artist Saturday, Feb. 16, from noon to 5 p.m.; and an artist’s talk Sunday, March 17, at 2 p.m.

PhoPa will divide its schedule between showcasing works by MMW+C students, alumni and faculty; and exhibitions organized by Brown and Edwards, who have teamed up on a half dozen projects in the past two years. PhoPa Gallery hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m.

Courier Publications’ A&E Editor Dagney C. Ernest can be reached at (207) 594-4401, ext. 115 or dernest@courierpublicationsllc.com.