River Arts in Damariscotta is hosting a solo show of Brunswick artist Renuka O’Connell’s work in the River Room. The show runs from Aug. 26 – Sept. 15. O’Connell’s work in paint, assembly, and embroidery has focused on our country’s racially biased systems that have specifically impacted black Americans as well as asylum seekers who arrive at our borders.

For a decade, Renuka O’Connell continued the work of her mentor, Kate Ransohoff, as a visionary art coach at Turtle Art Studios in Massachusetts. O’Connell’s work has been awarded prizes by The Brush Gallery, Arlington Center for the Arts, and the Manoogian Museum. The Art Connection in Boston placed eight of her paintings in permanent collections of non-profits. She has appeared in the Union of Maine Visual Arts Journal on Origins 2018 and Regionalism 2018 and is a member of Maine’s Artists Rapid Response Team. Recently, O’Connell has found inspiration in her “Tabernacles” allowing rusted, marred, weather-beaten imperfections of vintage metallic arches inform her vision. These works pay homage to Maine and her inner reflections of seasons and the multifarious cycles of change.

Also a writer, Renuka O’Connell had her writing published in a book entitled: “A Different Story: How Six Authors Became Better Writers.” Renuka O’Connell lives in Brunswick, Maine and maintains a studio in the waterfront Fort Andross Mill. Visit her website at www.renuartist.com.

River Arts is located at 36 Elm St. in Damariscotta. The gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 563-6868 or email the gallery at info@riverartsme.org.