In-Town Gallery is pleased to present “Watershed: Prime Elements” an exhibition of oil paintings focusing on one of our region’s ecological treasures, the South Cumberland Plateau. Janis Wilkey’s traditional, representative work sparkles with light, and brings nature indoors with scenes of water, boulders, rock formations and plant life. A meet-the-artist reception will be held at the gallery February 5, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm as part of The North Shore Neighborhood’s First Friday events. The artist will be donating a portion of the proceeds from sales at this exhibit to the Friends of the South Cumberland State Recreation Area.

In addition to oil painting, Wilkey is known locally for her murals and decorative painting, having studied trompe l'oeil and embellishment at the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy. She also studied drawing and painting at Chattanooga State. In 2003 she set her sights on the serious study of fine art with the goal of creating museum-quality work in oils. She sought out master artist Daud Akhriev to help her hone her skills, studying with him both locally and in Italy. The work on exhibit at In-Town Gallery is representative of the culmination of that journey. “I love working with beautiful colors and harmonious patterns while concentrating my mind and energy on the underlying architecture of nature.”

Wilkey continues to enjoy the challenge of working with individuals to create decorative work, portraits, and murals. While her quiet and secluded studio offers refuge and a modest space to work on contemplative pieces, she finds working on location pleasantly interesting “because of the reaction of onlookers to whatever I am doing”.

Janis Wilkey’s exhibit will continue through the month of February at In-Town Gallery. Founded in 1974, the 35-year-old In-Town Gallery is considered one of the oldest cooperative art galleries in the nation. Located on the “Hip to Historical” North Shore, at 26A Frazier Avenue, between the Market Street and Walnut Street bridges, adjacent to Coolidge Park, it is open 11:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Saturday, 1:00 to 5:00 pm Sunday and until 8:00 pm on most First Fridays. Call 423-267-9214 for information, or visit the website: www.intowngallery.com.

Info and photo via In-Town Gallery.