COMMUNITY News:

The Karen Wray Gallery is delighted to  hosting its very first exhibition since the shutdown last year. The opening reception is 5-7 p.m. today at 1247 Central Ave., Suite D-2.

The exhibit runs through Oct. 22.

“What this last 18 months has starkly shown me is the immense value, the necessity, of human contact,” Gallery Owner Karen Wray said. “By not being able to socialize together, hug friends, shake someone’s hand, teach my students, greet my artists and customers, dine with fellow diners and servers at our favorite restaurants, visit with family and friends, it drove it home how much I need other people and how much I need to be near them. And everyone on Earth has experienced this.”

“I am so grateful that we could do an art exhibition again and, even though we are still wearing face masks, we can enjoy the efforts of our wonderful artists, focusing our attention on beautiful things, and especially on just being together again,” she added.

The Karen Wray Gallery is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.  For more information, go to www.karenwrayfineart.com