The Chenango Arts Council will be holding a closing reception for the Members' Exhibit on Friday, February 16 at 5:30 p.m. The artwork can also be viewed during the Arts Council's business hours, or by appointment. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH ― The Chenango Arts Council will be wrapping up their annual Members' Exhibit with a closing reception at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, February 16 in the Mariea Brown and Raymond Loft Galleries in the Arts Council, located at 27 West Main Street in Norwich.

The reception is free to attend and open to the public, and light refreshments will be provided. It's the last chance to take a look at artwork created by Chenango Arts Council artist members, which have been on display in the galleries since December.

Chenango Arts Council Administrative Assistant Mary Beth Miller said the exhibit includes a variety of art styles and mediums, including 3D art, acrylic and watercolor paintings, drawings, mixed media, fiber arts, quilting pieces, abstract works, and nature photography.

For those who can't make it to the reception, Miller said the galleries are open for viewing during the Chenango Arts Council's regular operating hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The galleries can also be viewed by appointment outside of business hours by calling the Arts Council at 607-336-2787.

"It’s a very good show. So even if you don’t happen to have art in it, come take a look, come join us," said Miller. "The gallery is also open until that time if you can’t make it, so I would encourage everyone to come see the show, because it’s really great and there’s all different types of art in there."

The conclusion of the Members' Exhibit also kicks of the 2024 exhibit season at the Chenango Arts Council. Miller said the next show on the roster is the annual Chenango Area Student Art (CASA) show, which will have an opening reception on March 8 and be on display until April 5.

Miller said she sends notices to Chenango County high schools to give local students a chance to enter their artwork into the exhibit. The notices also alert high schoolers of the opportunity to win scholarships at the show.

Two students who will be studying the arts in college will win a $500 Lucy Funke Scholarship, and one student who will be studying music in college will be awarded a $1,000 Chenango Music Scholarship.

Beyond the CASA show, Miller said the Arts Council is working on contacting artists who submitted proposals during their call for artists to set up this year's exhibits.

"We are contacting people right along to schedule exhibits. We’ve had some great responses and also some great responses for our call for musicians, so we’re very excited about that," she said.

Live music will be performed during exhibit opening receptions thanks to a grant provided by the Pearl and Everett Gilmour Foundation.

For more information on the Chenango Arts Council, visit ChenangoArts.org or the Chenango Arts Council Facebook page.