One area artist has found her canvas calling and is ready to share her creations with the community. The newest exhibit in the Janet Carson Gallery at the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center will feature a collection of Patricia Mayhew-Hamm’s most distinguished paintings. The exhibit, titled Painting is Poetry, will run through June 24 with an artist reception 5-7pm Thursday, May 19. Mayhew-Hamm’s artwork can be easily characterized by its unique color combinations and abstract layering of hues and textures. From watercolor and pencil to metal powders and wax, the Chetek artist also enjoys experimenting with a wide variety of tools and media. Her paintings serve as a reflection of both her creativity as well as her fearless approach to trying new techniques and methods. “I do not paint realistically, because I feel in realism there are no surprises,” she says. “What you see is always the same, whereas, in non-objective work, such as mine, there are, hopefully, new things to discover all the time. I want to interpret what I see, by the use of design, color, contrast and composition.” Gallery guests are welcome to enjoy Mayhew-Hamm’s nontraditional artwork free of charge. The gallery is open 9am-4:30pm Monday through Friday, 9am-7pm Thursdays, and during performances at the State Theatre. For more information about the artist or to view more of her work, visit artistic-innovations.com.

Painting is Poetry, an exhibit of work by Patricia Mayhew-Hamm • May 13-June 24, reception 5-7pm Thursday, May 19 • Janet Carson Gallery at the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center, 316 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire • FREE • (715) 832-2787 • eauclairearts.com