River Arts is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for artists to participate in our upcoming exhibition titled “Texture.” This exhibition aims to celebrate the diverse and captivating world of texture through various mediums.

“Texture” invites artists to delve into the intricate interplay of tactile surfaces, exploring the sensation and visual allure of texture in its myriad of forms. Artists may use actual texture or implied visual texture. We invite artists to interpret and express texture in innovative and thought-provoking ways.

Submissions are open to members and non-members and include all mediums and styles. The deadline for entries is Saturday, April 6 at 4 p.m. Artists may submit two pieces no larger than 24 inches in any direction (including frame) or they may submit one piece with a maximum size of 48 inches in any direction (including frame).

Member entry fee is $15 and nonmember fee is $30. Notification of accepted works will be published on the River Arts website and Facebook on the afternoon of  Wednesday, April 10.

The juror for “Texture” will be well known and award winning artist, Jaap Helder of Round Pond. Helder says, “For most of my life, painting has been my passion. Through art I can express the wonder and the curiosity I feel about the world I live in. My work is an intuitive improvisation on nature and on the impressions of daily life. Through a process of psychological realism, visual elements are restructured into an abstraction of the landscape and the figure.

“Each picture develops into a unique expression through the relationship of colors, forms, marks, and through rhythm and balance. Using visual suggestions, I draw the viewer into an imagined landscape: into a colorful, dynamic world that hovers between the abstract and the representational.”

“Texture” will run April 9 through May 18 with a public opening reception Saturday, April 13 from 2 to 4. The gallery is located at 36 Elm St., in Damariscotta. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information visit the River Arts website at riverartsme.org or call the gallery at (207) 563-6868.