Come Watch the 'Blooms' at Hudgens Art Center

Three art exhibits with flower themes opened this week at the Hudgens Center for the Arts in Duluth. “Bloom! An Invitational Exhibition Featuring Steve Penley” includes works by 16 artists from throughout the Southeast interpreting floral subjects in their own styles and mediums. Visitors can expect to see paintings, woodworking, jewelry and more.

Two companion exhibits will open at the same time: “Buds! Children’s Flower Artwork Invitational” and “Blossoms! Emerging Talent from North Gwinnett High School.” All three exhibits, sponsored by the Primerica Foundation, will be on display through May 12.

Penley, known for large-scale portraits and murals in a style described as expressionistic realism, shifts to floral themes for the “Bloom” exhibit.

“Buds!” will include works by young Hudgens art students and Penley’s children.

Works by Draw/Paint Art II students at the North Gwinnett High School Visual Arts Department will be featured in “Blossoms!” The students recently completed a still life series of three artworks using different techniques. “I am extremely proud of their hard work and dedication to the visual arts – their art is documenting their world!” said department Chair Debi West.

Duluth's Kathy Fincher, a popular children's painter and inspirational artist, will show selected works and products from her long career, in a fourth exhibit.

There will be a meet-the-artists reception for all four exhibits from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, March 3. The reception is free and open to the public.

Linda Lindeborg will give a Curator’s Talk and guided tour of “Bloom” on Friday, March 23. A co-curator of the exhibit, her talk starts at 11 a.m. It is free to members of The Hudgens and included in the regular admissions fee of $5 for adults, $3 for children, senior citizens and students.

Saturday, April 21, will be a “Flower Power” Family Day featuring a scavenger hunt and hands-on activities relating to the floral exhibits from 10 a.m.-noon. Admission is free all day from 10 a.m-5 p.m. is located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Building 300, in Duluth.

For more information about art exhibits, events and classes at the Hudgens, visit the website at www.thehudgens.org or call 770-623-6002.