Local Color Gallery welcomes guest artist Bernadette DeCesare (March 25-April 19) and year-round artist Emma Schurink. Debbie Mitchell, a founding member/owner of the gallery, is retiring.

deCesare and Schurink will speak about their work at this month’s Fourth Friday Gallery Night, March 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. Talks will begin at 5 p.m. (weather permitting).

As a “visionary artist,” deCesare hopes to share joy, life’s memories, and mystical fantasies, according to Local Color, in a news release. Her “whimsical style” motivates many of her paintings. Each image is born from curiosity and guided by symbolism. deCesare is also drawn to “Abstraction through experimentation.” The depths of nature’s secrets offer patterns and textures that create visual excitement in her landscapes. Her choice of mediums has been consistent with soft pastels and acrylics, as well as “an assortment of surprises.”

deCesare graduated from Parsons School of Design, NYU, enjoying classes at the School of Visual Arts, Arts Student League of NY and Maryland Institute College of Art with many mentors along the way. Her career included graphic design, illustration, publishing and photography. She is proud to be part of The Pastel Society of America and The Pastel Society of Maine, receiving awards and recognition throughout the years. She has been published and received awards in the Pastel Journal. She lives in Waldoboro. See www.bernadettedecesare.com.

Schurink was Local Color’s guest artist this past November-January with her first ever gallery appearance. She spoke to a packed house about her charcoal drawings of the natural world: alive, mysterious, organic, and meditative. According to Local Color, Schurink's talk and her art drew high praise and resulted in her leading a workshop at the gallery in January.

"Local Color is pleased to have her join the gallery as one of the fourteen full-time artists," said the release.

Schurink studied visual art at Kenyon College and resides in Searsmont, Maine. See www.emmaschurinkart.com.

Debbie Mitchell, a founding member/owner of the gallery is retiring at the end of March. Mitchell steered Local Color through eight great years as Chief Financial Officer.

"She will be missed!" said Local Color.

Local Color Gallery is located at 135 High Street in Belfast. March hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 to 4. For more information see localcolorgallerymaine.org or call 207-218-1249.