M. A. Harley Exhibit Opens at Arts Center Gallery

From the moment you see the whimsical sign announcing Mary Alice Harley's exhibit "Bits of Florida", you will be touched by her sense of joy and love of life.

Mary Alice's first artistic form of expression was as a musician. Once her children had left the nest, she began to experiment in woodworking and painting, and discovered her passion. Her interests run the gamut from gardening (her yard was featured in Better Homes & Gardens magazine), to natural habitat preservation and bird watching. Every aspect of her life is portrayed in the art work she creates. From the simple lines of a driftwood sculpture, to the intricate details of her watercolors and acrylics, each work is imbued with a sense of warmth and a touch of humor.

Her wood and tin collages emphasize texture and form, their coloring the natural shades inherent to the materials used. The acrylic paintings she creates have a richness of depth that gives them an almost three dimensional feel. The jewel like tones used in her watercolors help convey their jovial themes. No matter which medium she uses, the end result is a creation that presents a sense of wonder, and a touch of laughter.

"Knots" (wood & tin collage)

"Where's That Bird" (watercolor)

"Crab Exodus" (watercolor)

The Harley exhibit is open to the public at the Cedar Key Arts Center Gallery above the Keyhole shop on 2nd Street.