BELFAST — “Narratives,” a new exhibit of paintings by Belfast artist Sheep Jones, will be on display in the Kramer Gallery of the Belfast Free Library for the month of October. The exhibit, in conjunction with the Belfast Poetry Festival, will showcase Jones’ paintings as this year’s Festival artist. 

An opening reception takes place on Tuesday, October 8, from 5:30- 7 p.m., in the Kramer Gallery, located on the ground floor of the library, 106 High Street in Belfast.

Of her work, Sheep says, “I am a narrative painter, so books, movies, and best of all, other people’s tales, lend themselves as building blocks to create an interesting story in paint.” She continues, “My paintings begin with layers. I always am looking for the puzzle pieces to suggest a narrative. Disparate images finally come together and start to hint at some kind of sense. Often, people will look at one of my paintings and recognize in it their own story, their own past, their own dreams.”

Sheep Jones was raised in Waterville, Maine and studied art at the University of Southern Maine. After years living out of state, Jones returned and now has a studio in Belfast.

On Friday October 11, from 2:30-4:00 pm, the Belfast Poetry Festival will offer a special workshop on Writing Ekphrastic Poetry with Judy Kaber, former Belfast Poet Laureate. Kaber will take cues from the exhibit in the Kramer Gallery to inspire conversation with participants to help jumpstart new poems. The workshop will take place in the Abbott Room of the Belfast Free Library and is free and open to all.

For more information about Sheep Jones, visit her website, www.sheepjones.com. For more information about this year’s Belfast Poetry Festival, which is celebrating its 19 th year, visit www.belfastpoetryfestival.com.