Lopez Center presents ‘Gifts of Nature’ exhibition, July 27

The Lopez Center for the Community and the Arts will open a new show sponsored by the Lopez Artist Guild from 5-7 p.m., Friday, July 27.

“Gifts of Nature” will run through Aug. 26 and feature two skilled and dedicated artists, Karen Hattman and Rick Wigre.

Hattman’s art includes a broad range of art medias using watercolor, oil and acrylic paints. She also creates art in the three-dimensional medias using wood and clay.

“I love to depict the subjects in great detail as well as the gestalt of the animal or plant,” she said. “My intent is for the viewer to look and really see the creature created.”

Her work displays a high aptitude of commitment illustrated by her consistent winning of awards in art competitions: Heart to Heart Art Show, Harkers Island Decoy Carving shows, Ocean City Decoy Carving Show, Have de Grace Decoy Show. Her works are also exhibited in private collections in New Hampshire, Connecticut, North Carolina and Washington state.

Wigre also has a large latitude in art medias in both traditional and non-traditional styles. Having a past history with an extraordinary range of state and national teaching awards, his art in this show will exhibit pastels, photography, computer graphics and ceramics.

“The idea of being able to entice people to create and for the viewer to see more has always been one of my passions,” he said. “I enjoy exploring and creating, growing and developing something new, something that is touched with your soul for others to see.”

Both artists live on the south end of Lopez Island and are full-time residents. Their admiration for both life’s natural wonders of nature and an emphasis of natural beauty is illustrated in this exhibition.

For more information, visit www.lopezartistguild.org.