Sweet Briar College will present works by area artists in the Amherst Art Society’s “Celebrate Summer” Exhibition, running Thursday, June 15 through July 9 in the Pannell Art Gallery.

A clay pot by Sandra Rose is one of many works in the Amherst Art Society's "Celebrate Summer" Exhibit in Pannell Gallery.Admission is free and the show is open to the public. Gallery hours are 5 to 7 p.m. Fridays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. A reception will be held at the opening from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 15 with music by Blue Skye, a local alternative folk group featuring Theresa Latchford, Sharen Dowdy, Scott Heath and Mark Campbell.

Campbell will be especially busy as both exhibitor and member of the local band, which he says plays all original music.

“Sometimes we lean a little bit toward country and sometimes a little toward metal,” he said, adding that on the heavy metal side, “we use the colors and the tones, but not the volume.”

Campbell is one of about 18 area artists who will exhibit works in the show. He says he “paints” with wood by gluing together several pieces of different species, from which he cuts a thin slice to make a veneer. He applies the veneers to tables, jewelry boxes and other furniture, creating surface effects that look similar to inlay.

Other works in the show include oils, watercolors, pottery and photography.

Among the exhibitors are several award winners, said Terrie Linton, a watercolorist and president of the Amherst Art Society, which recently formed under its current name. Many members had belonged to the former Amherst-Nelson Association for the Arts.

It’s a diverse group ranging from professionals to local folks who are just getting started as artists, Linton said.

Space to display artwork in Amherst has dwindled in recent years, so the invitation from Sweet Briar was welcomed, she said.

“It’s a good opportunity for our members and it’s a good opportunity for residents to discover the talented people in the area.”

Fore more information, contact Linton at (434) 946-9811 or Rebecca Massie Lane, director of SBC art galleries, at rmlane@sbc.edu or (434) 381-6248.